'Five on Brexit Island' added to Enid Blyton spoof series

Quercus has added a new title to its Enid Blyton for Grown-Up series due out this November, with the Famous Five’s friendship now set to be challenged by divisions over the thorny subject of Brexit.

Five on Brexit Island will be published on 3rd November along with four other spoof titles from author Bruno Vincent previously announced: Five Give Up the Booze; Five Go Gluten Free; Five Go On A Strategy Away Day; and Five Go Parenting.

According to the publisher Five on Brexit Island opens on the night of the European Union referendum, with George, Dick, Anne, Julian and Timmy retired to Kirrin Island to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, fed up with the rancour of public debate. George is firmly a 'remainer,' while Julian is in the 'Brexit' camp, but is tolerated on the grounds that Anne cannot bear to go camping without him.

A spokesperson for Quercus said of the book: “The night is tempestuous in more ways than one.  George has managed to rig up a satellite link with the mainland so that they can keep abreast of the news.  They sit huddled and tense around the fire, as George's  hope for the 'remainers' begins to wane . . .”

The titles are all priced £7.99 and will be released on 3rd November.

At the time the new Enid Blyton series was announced, Anne McNeil of Enid Blyton Entertainment said: "We are thrilled that Enid Blyton’s iconic five are being reimagined for grown-ups. We are certain Enid Blyton would have delighted in the gentle parody of her characters - characters which have helped to create a multi-million-selling global brand."

The spoof Enid Blyton for Adults books  follow the success of Michael Joseph’s eight pocket-size parodies in the series The Ladybird Bird books for Grown-Ups, which became a Christmas hit for booksellers and have sold close to 2m copies since last October.

The publisher is set to bring out nine new Ladybird parodies this August, including How it Works: The Student and The Ladybird Book of the Meeting.