Success Story | Enid Blyton

In this documentary from the 'Success Story' series, critics and fans appraise the legacy of Enid Blyton, whose books continue to enchant children of all ages even today. Journalist Colin Welch reads a scathing critique of her work that he wrote in the 1950s, while her fans debate the many and varied reasons why they have continued to enjoy her books well into adulthood. Blyton's daughter, Gillian Baverstock, also offers a personal insight into her mother's writing methods.

For most of her writing career, Enid Blyton lived at Green Hedges, a house in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. The house was named by her readers through a competition in the children's magazine 'Sunny Stories'. The demolition of Green Hedges, which can be seen in this programme, came about after the house was sold at auction in 1971. The plot where Green Hedges and its gardens once stood is now a small development of new dwellings called Blyton Close.