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jules1994's review against another edition
3.0
3.0 Stars.
This wasn’t supposed to be my first read of 2019, but I just remembered that it was one of the books I needed to read for uni and so it couldn’t be helped. Luckily, it was a short one - it only took me a few minutes to get through this - so here is my first review of the year: The Reluctant Dragon is a sweet, diverting story - quite different from usual dragon lore, even though picking up on common themes. This novella features a cultured, lazy, goodhearted dragon that enjoys coming up with poems and sonnets and makes quick friends with a little boy and the hero-saint and dragon-slayer St. George. I don’t think it’s a spoiler when I say that for once, this is a dragon story that doesn’t end in death and destruction.
This wasn’t supposed to be my first read of 2019, but I just remembered that it was one of the books I needed to read for uni and so it couldn’t be helped. Luckily, it was a short one - it only took me a few minutes to get through this - so here is my first review of the year: The Reluctant Dragon is a sweet, diverting story - quite different from usual dragon lore, even though picking up on common themes. This novella features a cultured, lazy, goodhearted dragon that enjoys coming up with poems and sonnets and makes quick friends with a little boy and the hero-saint and dragon-slayer St. George. I don’t think it’s a spoiler when I say that for once, this is a dragon story that doesn’t end in death and destruction.
rachelcabbit's review against another edition
4.0
This is a cute short story that inspired a Disney film. The dragon of the title is not what fairy tales tell you a dragon is - he's erudite and friendly, non-combative and quite lonely. His new friendship with the protagonist, a young boy, is under threat by St George, a Knight known for his dragon slaying. They try to come up with a way to satisfy the blood-thirsty villagers and keep St George's reputation intact while also avoiding a fight to the death.
The narrator of this audiobook has a soothing voice and reads each character well. It's a lovely audiobook for children.
The narrator of this audiobook has a soothing voice and reads each character well. It's a lovely audiobook for children.
kermittuesday's review against another edition
4.0
This book was adorable. Favorite line: "They knew that book-learning often came in useful at a pinch, in spite of what their neighbours said". Too true!
I also like that the boy in the book is treated by his elders as someone worth listening to. Children's feeling and thoughts should be taken into account by adults and I think it was a good theme that the boy might have a unique perspective into certain matters, so the adults took the time to listen.
I also like that the boy in the book is treated by his elders as someone worth listening to. Children's feeling and thoughts should be taken into account by adults and I think it was a good theme that the boy might have a unique perspective into certain matters, so the adults took the time to listen.
jeremychiasson's review against another edition
4.0
This passage says it all:
The Boy, who had apparently been absorbed in his book during his father’s recital, now closed the volume, yawned, clasped his hands behind his head, and said sleepily:
‘It’s all right, father. Don’t you worry. It’s only a dragon.’
‘Only a dragon?’ cried his father. ‘What do you mean, sitting there, you and your dragons? Only a dragon indeed! And what do you know about it?’
"Cos it is, and ’cos I do know,’ replied the Boy, quietly. ‘Look here, father, you know we’ve each of us got our line. You know about sheep, and weather, and things; I know about dragons. I always said, you know, that that cave up there was a dragon-cave. I always said it must have belonged to a dragon some time, and ought to belong to a dragon now, if rules count for anything. Well, now you tell me it has got a dragon, and so that’s all right. I’m not half as much surprised as when you told me it hadn’t got a dragon. Rules always come right if you wait quietly. Now, please, just leave this all to me. And I’ll stroll up to-morrow morning—no, in the morning I can’t, I’ve got a whole heap of things to do—well, perhaps in the evening, if I’m quite free, I’ll go up and have a talk to him, and you’ll find it’ll be all right. Only, please, don’t you go worrying round there without me. You don’t understand ’em a bit, and they’re very sensitive, you know!’
The Boy, who had apparently been absorbed in his book during his father’s recital, now closed the volume, yawned, clasped his hands behind his head, and said sleepily:
‘It’s all right, father. Don’t you worry. It’s only a dragon.’
‘Only a dragon?’ cried his father. ‘What do you mean, sitting there, you and your dragons? Only a dragon indeed! And what do you know about it?’
"Cos it is, and ’cos I do know,’ replied the Boy, quietly. ‘Look here, father, you know we’ve each of us got our line. You know about sheep, and weather, and things; I know about dragons. I always said, you know, that that cave up there was a dragon-cave. I always said it must have belonged to a dragon some time, and ought to belong to a dragon now, if rules count for anything. Well, now you tell me it has got a dragon, and so that’s all right. I’m not half as much surprised as when you told me it hadn’t got a dragon. Rules always come right if you wait quietly. Now, please, just leave this all to me. And I’ll stroll up to-morrow morning—no, in the morning I can’t, I’ve got a whole heap of things to do—well, perhaps in the evening, if I’m quite free, I’ll go up and have a talk to him, and you’ll find it’ll be all right. Only, please, don’t you go worrying round there without me. You don’t understand ’em a bit, and they’re very sensitive, you know!’
samanthabryant's review against another edition
5.0
What a delight. Kindhearted humor. Just what I needed.
fairychapters's review against another edition
5.0
i have always loved reading fairy tales so i chose to go with “victorian fairy tales” for a project i had to prepare for uni. not gonna lie, it took me quite a lot of time to decide which fairy tale i wanted to work on but eventually, it was no other than “the reluctant dragon” (1898) by kenneth grahame.
to begin with, i expected it to be rather conventional as regards to the plot or elements of fiction in general but to my surprise, it was nothing like that at all !! it was so diverse and ground-breaking. i mean, having a gentle, peaceful and rather sassy dragon who writes sonnets and loves drinking tea as the protagonist says a lot at the first place!
dealing with timeless issues like racism, xenophobia and social stereotypes, kenneth graham manages to subvert all of them and make this fairy tale a celebration of diversity and acceptance of your true self. such a heart-warming and witty story... definitely NOT your usual fairy tale!
to begin with, i expected it to be rather conventional as regards to the plot or elements of fiction in general but to my surprise, it was nothing like that at all !! it was so diverse and ground-breaking. i mean, having a gentle, peaceful and rather sassy dragon who writes sonnets and loves drinking tea as the protagonist says a lot at the first place!
dealing with timeless issues like racism, xenophobia and social stereotypes, kenneth graham manages to subvert all of them and make this fairy tale a celebration of diversity and acceptance of your true self. such a heart-warming and witty story... definitely NOT your usual fairy tale!
gazeboreader's review against another edition
5.0
Great story. Fun characters. My son and I loved it!
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0