Author: Carolyn Keene
I am making an effort to re-visit favorite series and authors. I've been re-reading the Trixie Belden books...so finally came calling at the Drew home as well. I did a bit of research on the series before starting the first book. Just like the Trixie series, Nancy Drew was written by various ghostwriters all under the pen-name Carolyn Keene. The first authors were paid $125 per book and were required to relinquish all claims to the books. The original four Nancy Drew books were first published in 1930 (actually written by Mildred Wirt Benson), but were re-written and updated in 1959 by Harriet Adams. I have never read the original version of this story, but have a copy of the re-worked book. With a bit of research, I learned what changes were made. The character was softened up a little and outdated stereotypes were removed (opinions about nouveau riche were removed, upper class views were toned down, bad depictions of "lower class" were removed, etc). Some changes were more fundamental -- more action and suspense was added into the plot, and the housekeeper was depicted as a valued member of the family rather than treated like a servant as in the original work. I think these changes kept the books in circulation through the decades, rather than them fading as the plots grew severely outdated (and even a bit offensive).
I listened to an unabridged audio book version of this story (Penguin Random House audio 2002). Narrated by Laura Linney, the audio is just over 3 hours long. Linney gives a great performance as usual. I always enjoy her narrations! The audio book also adds in some music and sound effects at suspenseful moments. :) Very enjoyable listening experience! I have hearing loss but was still able to hear and understand the entire book. I enjoyed listening to Nancy's case unfold as she searched for a missing will. Even though the book is short, the mystery is not rushed. There is plenty of action and interesting twists and turns. Great story! I enjoyed this re-visit just as much as I enjoyed reading Nancy's first mystery as a young teen back in the early 1980s.
I'm glad they re-wrote and updated these books. I don't think I would have liked Nancy if she was portrayed as an upper class, privileged snoot. I have 20+ matching hardback copies of this series on my keeper shelf that I found at a thriftshop for $1 per book. Best purchase ever! My copies are the older versions with no slipcover, 1950s artwork on the front, and the traditional yellow spine with a small picture of Nancy. I hope to find more to round out my collection. There are 35 books in the original series with 43 more added from 1959-1985. Then there are several more modern spin-off series as well. Lots of reading to do! I'm so curious to find out if the newer books are as good as the originals!
Revisiting this story also makes me want to find episodes of the old 1970s television show! I wonder if it is available online somewhere??
On to the next book -- The Hidden Staircase!
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