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Original poster

Enid Blyton - what's been edited out/changed??

157 replies

Distantview · 12/06/2026 11:53

Have picked up a 2021 version of The Magic Faraway tree. I used to love this series as a child.

It has a disclaimer about being edited to meet modern standards.

Now I'm trying to work out what was in the original that would be offensive today - does anyone know?

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 12/06/2026 12:15

Like many old favourites the language then was so different.Fanny is obv not PC and Dick being Rick now which sounds better for modern times .They were of their time really

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 12/06/2026 12:11

I hate when they change the currency! I have some 'updated' ones that have switched from shillings to pounds. Why on earth?! Also, why doesn't Darrell slap Gwendolyn anymore? She realises very quickly it was a dreadful thing to do, apologises and confesses to everyone. It's a 'learning moment' or whatever surely?

RubyEspadrilles · 12/06/2026 11:57

Shithotlawyer · 12/06/2026 11:53

The name Fanny.

Yeah Fanny is Frannie and Dick is Rick, and Jo has gained an e, I have no idea why, perhaps to Show That He Is A Boy.

I read a modernised version of Amelia Jane, and I promise I am not making this up, where "black telephone" had been changed to "telephone". I knew this because I had both versions and I was actually looking to see if something else had been changed because it sounded weird in the new version. I know it sounds like a "political correctness gone mad" made up thing, but it is true.

coulditbeme2323 · 12/06/2026 11:55

I only buy them online or in charity shops, I don't want my kids reading this watered down nonsense.

RubyEspadrilles · 12/06/2026 11:54

Well the main one is Dame Slap being changed to Dame Snap. Although when I read it to my kids I didn't think it worked at all - they had her yelling loudly into the childrens' ears rather than hitting them, which seems almost as harmful!

MorrisonsPlatter · 12/06/2026 11:54

Lashings of ginger beer

Shithotlawyer · 12/06/2026 11:53

The name Fanny.

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