Nancy Drew: still my hero
Maybe I’m out of the loop or just plain oblivious, but I had no idea that Nancy Drew was still alive and kicking. I thought her reign as Queen Teen Detective had ended ages ago…
Apparently not.
She’s been around in graphic novel form for a few years now… Huh…who’d have thunk it.
Now, I’ll admit: I’m kinda a FANGIRL of Nancy Drew. When I was 8-years-old, I decided to spend my summer vacation reading all 56 original Nancy Drew novels… My Mom took me to the public library every single day, and I checked out two at a time…and would read them both that day.
Can we say über dork?
When I was doing my undergrad at the University of Georgia, I had to do take Speech Communications… We were required to give a speech commemorating someone. What did I do? I dressed up like Nancy Drew and talked all about my favorite teen detective. (I got a 100 on the speech, too! The only person in the class to score a perfect mark.)
Nowadays, I have a Nancy Drew (and Hardy Boys — I heart Joe) collection. I’ve got the original books and various memorabilia. For Christmas this year, my mom even gave me a Nancy Drew t-shirt! It’s AWESOME.
My mom and I still joke about how FREAKIN’ PERFECT Nancy is in her spiffy blue convertible and with her cute older boyfriend, Ned Nickerson.
Let’s be honest: George was the coolest character. She was Nancy’s BFF, and she knew judo. Plus, she had short hair and a short temper. She was a waaaay more dynamic character than Nancy! Bess, Nancy’s other BFF, was whiny but also more interesting. (I still find it hilarious and rather awful the main description for Bess was that, “She was pleasantly plump.” What does that even mean?)
So, you can imagine that I’m kinda shocked all this new Nancy Drew stuff is around and I had no idea. I feel like someone shoulda told me… I dunno, like the NERDS of the world (N=Nancy Enthusiasts and Readers of Detective Stories — yeah, I actually made that up for my speech).
Ah well, I’m excited all the same. I can’t wait to get my hands on the newest graphic novel, even though I think it sounds utterly ridiculous.
Nancy Drew Vampire Slayer
Um… Wasn’t that Buffy? Meh, who cares. I still want to check it out! PLUS, there’s a whole series of Hardy Boys graphic novels! Wee!
Fingers crossed that Nancy, Frank, and Joe aren’t so obnoxiously perfect in these newer versions.
You tell me: Did you like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys? Do you still like them? Were you nerdy obsessed with any other series?
December 22, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
Teehee. I was never a Nancy Drew girl. I was all about the Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High…those kind of books. lol
December 22, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
I loved BABYSITTERS CLUB too!! I had dreams of being a babysitter when I was older — who knew it really wasn’t much fun and didn’t pay well?
For some reason, my library didn’t have much SWEET VALLEY HIGH, though…
December 22, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
OMG! OMG! I am thinking you should read my WIP. I LURVE Nancy Drew, and she was partly the inspiration for my MC. I read several years ago that there was no Carolyn Keene and it made me so sad, but in retrospect it makes sense, because the descriptions in the book were always the same. I could never figure out what the description of Nancy’s “titian hair” meant. I am still not sure.
Dude, George!. Umm, looking at it with a modern lens, I’m 95% sure George is gay. And I have to say (forgive me) Ned is a little lame. I was always hoping Nancy would find someone with a little more oomph. He was always showing up at the last minute, only to attend the square dance. I could go on, but for the sake of the rest of the world who may be reading this, I will chill.
December 22, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
But George was dating Burt!! She *can’t* be gay!! 😉
Um, and Ned was DEFINITELY lame. But, Nancy was kinda lame too — at least in the original series. She was SO nauseatingly perfect.
I’m itching to read these new graphic novels. Maybe the characters have some more life to them these days! I mean, they revamped James Bond into having a Soul and Deep Thoughts, so why not Nancy Drew?
December 22, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Oh man, you have no idea how much I love Nancy Drew, thanks in part to my mom, who was a rabid fan when she was a kid. She bought me The Secret of the Old Clock when I was like 5, and for years I tried to read that thing with no avail. Way too advanced for my age. The book became something of a challenge—I will read this some day, dammit! That day happened in the third grade. It’s so weird, I have VIVID memories of sitting at my bus stop reading that book, finally able to understand it.
Do you remember the Nancy Drew revival that happened in the mid-80s? When all of a sudden, Nancy, George and Bess are running around in day glow spandex? And Nancy was doing things like making out with Ned in a hot tub? I HATED those.
Other series I was obsessed with as a kid:
Babysitter’s Club
Sweet Valley High (which I wasn’t allowed to read and had to smuggle in)
The Gymnasts
Sleepover Friends
The Saddle Club
Anne of Green Gables
Pen Pals
Sorry for totally spamming your comments here. Books were a HUGE part of my life as a kid. 🙂
December 22, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
I SOOOO remember the 80s ones. They frightened me — the covers looked so DANGEROUS. I definitely avoided those (I think they were called Case Files?).
Okay, I don’t even know most of your favorites!! BABYSITTERS CLUB, check. SWEET VALLEY HIGH, check. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, hells yes check! But the others?? Er….
And that’s awesome we were both 3rd graders when we decided to tackle Nancy Drew. I wonder if 8 is the usual age…
December 22, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
I’ve actually never read ANY Nancy Drew stories. The editions I got my hands on always looked way too old for me to bother reading. (Plus, they stank something awful.) And I think I’ve only read one Hardy Boys book. Didn’t sell me.
However, I did totally read The Saddle Club (I hope the WIP I have now is a better representation of what equitation is REALLY like). Otherwise, series weren’t for me.
December 22, 2010 @ 5:30 pm
PS random comment: Recently I went into a Chapters. When the salesperson asked what I was looking for, I asked for a YA standalone novel not written in first-person (third-person or even second-person is good). Results? Nada.
Recommendations for a third-person YA novel, anyone?
December 22, 2010 @ 5:39 pm
OMGosh, the books DO stink. I remember checking them out as a kid, and some were so rank with cigarette stench. BUT, I powered through. 🙂
As for a good 3rd person, I suggest any of Cassandra Clare’s (if you like paranormal/fantasy), but they aren’t standalone. UNWIND is also good (a futuristic sci-fi). If you go back to older novels, there’s always Madeleine L’Engle’s stuff (I adore TROUBLING A STAR). Most YA books these days (at least for older teens) are in 1st person. It’s just what readers seem to want most! 🙂 Good luck finding one. Try asking a librarian — they might be more knowledgeable.
December 22, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
Aw, I really didn’t like Madeleine L’Engle’s Troubling A Star (or A Ring of Endless Light, the only other book I’ve read by her) but I’ll definitely check out UNWIND, thanks. Cassandra Clare is already too popular for me to consider reading her. (Yes, odd, I know. Ehehe.)
December 22, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
Ahh, too bad. Madeleine L’Engle is one of the first real YA writers. I started reading her when I was 9!
I just learned of a book in 3rd person: BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS by Anna Godbersen.
December 23, 2010 @ 3:42 am
HOLY CRAP YOU AND I WERE TOTALLY MEANT TO BE FRIENDS AND I CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY WE AREN’T RELATED BECAUSE THIS IS THE COOLEST COINCIDENCE EVER AND IT’S EVEN WORTH CRAPPY PUNCTUATION THAT HURTS MY EYES!
Nancy Drew was my launch into my literary life. This is so perfect! I spent 2nd and 3rd grade entirely obsessed. I didn’t learn how to read till I was seven, but even when I could get along fine, I wasn’t interested… Until my mom came home with NANCY DREW AND THE OLD CLOCK and NANCY DREW AND THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE. I read the second one first (in two days – eek! ;D), and then launched into a mad ND frenzy.
I haven’t read anything but the originals (it feels like blasphemy), but I *do* play the computer games (because they rock). I also had a ND party for my tenth birthday, for which my mom rented a convertible and planned a mystery around town. We came home to eat an ND themed cake and watch a few episodes of the 70’s TV show.
You and I, Susan, are kindred spirits. ;D
December 23, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
GAAAH YOU’RE EXCITEMENT IS SO CONTAGIOUS!!
Yes, we must be related and somehow separated at birth. Nancy Drew — the original series — is so fantastic. (Actually, it’s quite dreadful if you read it as an adult, but as an 8-year-old, it’s AMAZING.) I too did not stray outside of the original series — well, at first, I didn’t. When I was a preteen I read the NANCY DREW DIGEST (http://www.nancydrewsleuth.com/digests.html) and enjoyed those a lot too.
I mean, Nancy and her crew went EVERYWHERE! Like, all around the world and through all sorts of harrowing, exciting adventures! I <3 Nancy!
You know, I never played the computer games, but I always thought they looked great! I love adventure/mystery games, so I'll DEFINITELY have to try them when I have time. 😀
January 8, 2011 @ 9:48 pm
I forgot to check back for a reply. 😀
That’s why I have so much trouble going back to finish them. I hate noticing flaws in what I remember being so perfect! I can’t decide if it’s *really* worth it. :/
On the other hand, I still love Bess and George. They freshen everything up. ;D
I’d definitely recommend the computer games. I’d also play an older one first (not the very first game, though. The animation was the worst). The past three years or so have been rough, though the game that came out in October was better. Start with an oldie. You’ll probably feel like a dork, but it’s a fun experience! 😀
-Madeleine