The Literary Genius of The Bob-Whites by Deb Kristy

My favorite literary character must be that great hero of Tish Cohen and mine, Trixie Belden. See, Trixie, despite her stripper name and modest background, was a real girl. She wore jeans (unlike Nancy Drew who was more apt to wear something called dungarees) and though she loved her very closest friend in the world, Honey (okay, seriously, what’s going on with these names?!), she also admitted to feelings of lust for her friend’s brother and feelings of jealousy for her friend’s wealth and fabulous twinsets (I never did want a twinset, did you?).

She also refused to be a girly-girl, something I was loathe to become. Being a girly-girl is not a bad thing, and I sort of am one in some ways these days (like the whole lipstick thing), but when you have an older brother who decapitates your stuffed animals and challenges every feminine choice your young heart makes, well, you’re a tomboy or you’re miserable.

So, Trixie knew her stuff. She wore her jeans, she had her rotten little feelings, and she was smart as a whip. Could you ask for much more? It’s still all I really want for myself. Because Trixie was– at seventeen– what I think I might finally be at thirty-seven: accepting and forgiving of who I am.

Trixie was always unabashedly herself. Even if she did have a stripper name.  

 

12 Replies to “The Literary Genius of The Bob-Whites by Deb Kristy”

  1. I loved Trixie, too. I suppose what led me to her was my devotion to Pippy Longstocking in my earlier years. Such gusto! That little red-haired girl lived with only a menagerie of pets and the memory of her parents. Later in the series, she actually set sail to rescue her father. To this day, I want to wrap Pippy in a warm blanket, set her on the couch with a cup of cocoa and homemade cookies, and brush out those braids of hers. She wouldn’t have it, though, and that’s why I love her.

  2. I never liked Nancy Drew. I thought she always had a little too much luck in solving her cases. I loved Trixie though. She had spunk. She also never needed rescuing. Too many girl “heroes” need rescuing it seems.

  3. I always loved Trixie more than Nancy, too. For all the reasons you stated. Trixie was a real girl. Nancy was too perfect. And even if she got into a jam, all she had to do was say the magic words, “My dad is Carson Drew the Prominent Attorney” and all would be forgiven. Trixie got in trouble and got grounded.

    And Jim Frayne was hot. *g*

  4. LOL Sorry to be late to The Ball, but can’t believe what awaited. Trixie? Thank goodness that both Mia and Jennifer have never met this literary character either…at least I don’t feel totally out of it. However, Eileen’s observation was right on target. Are you certain she wore jeans, Kristy? Sounds more like the cutoffs type, though one should not judge a book by its cover or a character by her name. 😉

  5. I never read Trixie Beldon… but as my DD is reaching age where I would introduce her to Nancy Drew, I may have to check Trixie out and see what I think! I’ve heard so much about how she’s WAY better than Nancy. Gotta love a tomboy.

  6. OH MY!
    I adored Trixie Belden.
    I was so jealous of all their horses and everything…
    I will now have to go out and see if I can get them — I had no idea they were still in print-

  7. Larramie – not only did Trixie wear jeans, but she rolled them up, exposing her cableknit socks and penny loafers. God, she was cool. Except for the hair. The Hair was ghastly.

    Kristy – I don’t remember Trixie lusting after Honey’s brother. But I do remember Honey making frilly curtains for their clubhouse.

  8. Trixie is absolutely the best! I was instantly hooked when I was a pre-teen, and my daughter has followed right along behind me, insisting on reading and re-reading all 39 books. Definitely worth finding if you don’t have them already.

    Trixie was so much more realistic than Nancy could ever dream of being. And her friends were better, too!

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