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I cannot IMAGINE why Penguin Books Ltd have put my name on their
Lady Chatterley's Lover list. (Can you? After all, I'm only a
children's writer---whose opinions surely would not weigh with the
adult public! Don't you think there is something slightly comic
about E.B. solemnly declaring that L.C. Lover is a fit and proper
book for everyone's reading?)
I'd love to help Penguins Ltd---they are doing a fine job with their
publications---but I don't see how I can. For one thing I haven't
read the book---and for another thing my husband said NO at once.
The thought of me standing up in Court solemnly advocating a book
``like that'' (his words, not mine---I fear he must have read the
book!) made his hair stand on end. I'm awfully sorry---but I don't
see that I can go against him. I feel impelled to read the book now
of course (what MARVELLOUS publicity it is having, and how pleased
Penguins must be!) though a woman author (for adults) once told me
that it was dull and badly written.
-- Enid Blyton's reply to Penguin's request for
support in publishing _Lady Chatterley's Lover_.
_The Weekend Australian_, July 1--2, 1995,
Features, p. 16
Tags: love job adult adults reply publicity july1 penguin ladychatterley womanauthor clover enidblyton penguinbooksltd