Impact!

    

    Can you remember the first book you read which had an impact on you?
     Maybe it was something read to you often as a child, or the first book you read independently, or something later on which filled your imagination and made a big impression - for whatever reason that might be.
                                                                                                                                                                               Mr. C. cites Richmal Crompton's William books, I'd probably go for Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle,  Enid Blyton's Malory Towers (but look at the modern covers - a travesty!!) or The Famous Five, and then the pony books by the Pullein-Thompson sisters, Pat Smythe and Ruby Ferguson (she of the delightful Lady Rose and Mrs. Memmary) - it's good to see that her 'Jill' stories will be back in print soon thanks to Fidra Books!.

There were others, too, of course, but those are the earliest ones and they did make a big impression on me.
How about you?

Comments

[BooksPlease]

For me there was Enid Blyton - I think the first one I loved (apart from Noddy ) was The Naughtiest Girl in the School, then I must have read most of the other series she wrote, but The Malory Towers books were my favourites. Heidi comes high up the list of loved books from my childhood, plus Heidi Grows Up and Heidi's Children, also Louisa May Alcott's books and the Katy books.

[Donna]

All of the above for me too! Plus the Paddingtons, Meet Mary Kate by Helen Morgan and the John and Mary books by Grace James and of the Enid Blyton books especially the "of Adventure" and Cherry Tree/ Willow Farm sets. I loved the Jill books too and all the Heidis (remember being so thrilled when I saw there were sequels!).

[adele geras]

Me too for Malory Towers and also the ....of Adventure that EBlyton wrote! The Island of Adventure a particular favourite. But also: Ballet Shoes made a huge impression on me, and of course Little Women.

[Simon T]

Yes, another Enid Blyton person here. She must be responsible for so many thousands of zealous readers. The Famous Five were my favourites, but I also loved the Five Find-Outers, St. Clare's series, The Naughtiest Girl in the School, The Secret Seven... in fact I read almost nothing but Enid Blyton for about four years.

[melody]

I had a book by Enid Blyton called The Land of Far Beyond which is a retelling for children of Pilgrims Progress which I adored. A Child's Garden of Verses had a big impact on me too I learnt many of the poems by heart and can remember big chunks of them still. I had a very moving moment recently when I stood outside R L Stevenson's house in Edinburgh and saw the original gas light which inspired The Lamplighter. Paddington has a special place in my memories and the CS Lewis series. I could go on....!

[sandpiper]

Another vote for the Jill books by Ruby Ferguson. I devoured pony books, but the Jill books, the Shantih books by Patricia Leitch, and The Horse from Black Loch by Patricia Leitch were my particular faves. I also adored (still do) The Dark is Rising books by Susan Cooper. They influenced me to the extent that I still favour that area of Wales to visit on holiday - although I still haven't made it to the Cornwall locations.

K.M. Peyton, too - A Pattern of Roses was a real stunner, as were Fly-by-Night, The Team & the Pennington books.

[Gill]

I loved Enid Blyton adventure & mystery stories, Ruby Ferguson Jill books & Lorna Hill Ballet books. I think the book that made a lasting impression was "Red Roofs" - Enid Blyton - the family values in that seem to have coloured my life.

[Dark Puss]

I have never read (or had read to me) any book by Blyton which I think puts me in the minority here. I am trying to think back 40+ years and unfortunately distance may lend enchantment but it also means my memories are failing! Probably "The Hobbit" is one of the most influential books from my childhood, read to me many times by my father (sometimes starting again after we had just completed it); it was certainly the first book of any significant length that I read before the age of 10. I remember with pleasure Bond's "Paddington" books and Jansson's "Moomintroll" novels; the latter having a completely different association for me as a young adult when I read them in a very different context (I'll not expand upon that ...). Like Mr C I also remember the "William" books which were a childhood favourite of my father.

[Overdue]

As a child, the Anne of Green Gables books were my big addiction. But I remember being about 14 and reading Frankenstein and just being breathless over it. And it wasn't even the story, it was like I'd just realised what language was for.

[Rachel]

I used to love Malory Towers! I also loved the Secret Seven, Famous Five, mystery and adventure books and of course, my ABSOLUTE favourite Enid Blyton books, the Faraway Tree stories.

I also adored Frances Hodgson Burnett, E Nesbit, all the Swallows and Amazons books, and, to my shame, the Babysitter's Club Books. I had a 90's childhood.

[Henrietta]

The first real impact was from Mary Plain by Gwynned Rae. Fantastically funny series of books, and so superiour to mouldy old Paddington. (Mary precedes him). Then endless pony books, especially "Hippo, a Welsh COb" - I can't remember who that's by though.

[Dark Puss]

Dear Henrietta, I have no experience of "Mary Plain". Would you like to expand on why they are superior to "Paddington" and why you think him mouldy?

[Jane]

Earliest book memory: Ant and Bee by Angela Banner. I think they may have influenced my interest in typography.

I loved the Jill books, and have recently picked up a few in charity shops, and re-read them. I also read books by the Pullein-Thompsons, Pat Smythe and Mary Gervaise.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell left an impression.

[Elaine]

Well another Enid B fan here. I loved the Famous Five although the Adventure series were perhaps my favourite and, in particular, the Ship of Adventure. Then Wind in the Willows, still a favourite I read and re-read, A Little Princess which always reduced me to floods (how could they make Sara Crewe's father die?), The Railway Children, All the 'Wells' books by Lorna Hill, The Brydon famil books by Kathleen Fidler, Malcome Saville, Black Beauty (oh the death of Ginger, more tears) and there used to be a series of books in my junior library all about famous composers which I loved though could not understand half of the words used - I mean what was a fugue I used to ask myself??

[Verity]

I'm a big Chalet School fan

[Constance]

I read Enid Blyton but really loved Antonia Forest's stores about the Marlow family! I also loved the Flambards books, everything by Geoffrey Trease, and Nicholas Stuart Gray.