The Land of Far-Beyond

by Enid Blyton

Book Overview

Based on John Bunyan's famous Christian fable, The Pilgrim's Progress, this is the story of three children who break free from their home in the city of Turmoil, full of strife, hatred and ignorance,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1901881229
• ISBN13: 9781901881226
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Element Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

The Land of Far Beyond

My earliest childhood memories are of reading every Enid Blyton book I could get hold of. Secret 7 and Mallory Towers were prime favourites. I think I was about 7 or 8 when I stumbled upon "The land of Far Beyond" and initially thought it a very strange departure from the usual adventure stuff. The story is about some children who meet a stranger and then depart on a long journey, on route having to contend with certain challenges,some seemingly insurmountable. However as I read I got more absorbed into this fairly dark tale of a long ardous journey involving some lovable and some not-so loveable characters.The end I shouldn't reveal but will promise to please all. I would like to say that this story so amazingly written moves the reader either young or old between incredible depths of despair, hope and joy and at the same time giving valuable insight into our attempts to achieve moral character as we grow older. EB is a true genius - she makes the reader feel every single human emotion created,the only fault being that the book has an end.Anybody with a ounce of curiousity regarding the why and how of good vs evil should have a go at this. Enough said.

A wonderful book for children...

At the age 8, I read this book at the Library. Now, 6 six years later, I finally got my hands on it again and read it word for word. It's even better than the last time. When I finished, I had tears streaming down my face- but from happiness. The story opens up in the City of Turmoil, where a group of children decide to cause mischief that day. Some time later, they see a stranger. They are fascinated by him, for they have never met someone so beautiful kind. The Wanderer is horrified and disgusted by the evil in the city. He shows five of the children and five other adults, the `burdens' of dishonesty, deceit and many other things, that they carry. Suddenly they have heavy sacks on their backs that they can't remove. They have to journey to the City of Happiness in The Land of Far-Beyond to get rid of them. So begins the journey of ten people, who must face difficulties and challenges to get to their destination. They meet people like Mr. Doubt and Laziness who try to discourage them or tempt them. They also meet people like Content and Daring who help them along and get them out of trouble. They learn a lot of things along the way (`it is best to face up to your fears', `Fright is less scary when seen in the light of day', and so on) and meet evil dwarves, angels, a cruel giant etc. Finally the remaining few who completed the journey got their burdens removed by the Prince of Peace, `who carries the burdens of the whole world'. It is Jesus, and the land they are in, is Heaven.

read as a child in Scotland; reread as an adult in America

I first read this book as a nine year old in Dundee, Scotland. I read and loved all of Blyton's book, except Noddy and Mr Plod whom I think I tolerated because they were Blyton specials. However, the Land of Far Beyond introduced me to the concept of the Pilgrim's Progress and I read that soon after. I have a 30 year old daughter who also read the Land as a child and is most happy to have a rare early edition in her possession to share with her daughter. Obviously, a favorite of our family's.

great for bedtime-teaches kids to follow right path

We loved reading this book. It goes through all of the human emotions and teaches children and adults how easy it is to stray from the path we should follow and the rewards of sticking to the right path no matter how hard it seems at the time. all the kids at my sons school got into this book from him going to school and talking about how great it is, and he's only in 2nd grade.

Such a wonderful retelling of "The Pilgrim's Progress"!!

I cherished this book as a child, and I must have read it a hundred times! Now, 25 years later, it has come back to me like an old, long-lost friend. This is Enid Blyton's retelling of "The Pilgrim's Progress" (in language that most children can readily understand). A group of 5 children and 5 adults journey to the City of Happiness in The Land of Far Beyond so that they can rid themselves of the heavy burdens that have appeared on their backs. These burdens are the outward manifestation of their own dark deeds and cruelties. Along the way, they meet many temptations and shady characters, but they also meet many kind, loving people. This book is absolutely engrossing and will keep most children interested from beginning to end.