A BOLTON lecturer has forced the literary world to reconsider its views with his new theories about the Famous Five.

David Rudd, a 46-year-old senior lecturer at Bolton Institute, is near to completing his PhD thesis on the works of popular children's author Enid Blyton.

Mr Rudd, of Meadow Way, Edgworth, has read every word ever written by Ms Blyton including the Famous Five books, Noddy and Mallory Towers.

He has come to the conclusion that literary critics and academics have been wrong in their assertions that the books portray racism, sexism and a patriarchal society.

Despite the criticism over the past 50 years, Enid Blyton books have continued to appeal to children all over the world, selling over four million copies every year.

Mr Rudd believes that the secret of the success lies in the books' simplicity.

He said: "There is so little precise imagery that they create a springboard for a child's own imagination. They can create their own fantasy world - it's wish fulfilment.

"The books empower children. They can believe that in the world of the Five it is possible to have their say and outwit adults.

"It creates a safe and secure environment for them, that's why they've endured despite parents and teachers throwing the books out and forbidding children to read them."

Mr Rudd's research stemmed from a thesis he did in 1992 all about children's reading tastes.

He said: "During that research, books like the Famous Five and Mallory Towers kept cropping up. When I asked adults they would scorn the books but say how much they enjoyed reading them as children."

Mr Rudd's own children, aged 14 and 17, have grown out of the books now, but his collection will be passed down the generations and he remains convinced that Enid Blyton's adventure-loving heroes will continue to excite and enthral children for years to come.

As a spin off from his research, Mr Rudd has produced a book all about the 250 characters found in the 21 Famous Five books published between 1942 and 1963.

The book is available from the Bolton Institute priced at £3.25.

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