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tlaynejones's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
This was my favourite book when I was 8 or 9, I read and reread it so many times. I loved this story so much.
It’s been over 40 years since I’ve even looked at it, and I thought it had mostly faded away from my mind. Yet once I started it this time, it all came back so clearly I almost felt like I had it memorised. I began this read with a sense of trepidation; I remembered enough to know that I would find racism and a deeply colonial pov, but I didn’t remember enough to know any details or to guess how this reading would leave me feeling.
What I found was a book that encapsulates the hypocrisy and neglect of white supremacy and christian ‘benevolence’. Some will say, oh it’s ok, it’s a book of its time, so the racism and classism, and all the other isms in this story, can be excused. But why? The child that I was, that desperately needed a fairy tale about being rescued, deserved to also have books that allowed a more complex world to exist. That didn’t create paradigms that center her potential for rescue based on her whiteness, her class, her politeness, her stoic ness, or her feminine ‘goodness’. A book that didn’t reinforce class amongst white people, and completely devalue and dehumanise all people of colour. Children deserve to have magical fairytales to escape in to, without the burden of white supremacist messaging. There are so many wonderful children’s and middle grade novels available now. For me, this one is best left in memory for what it was then.
It’s been over 40 years since I’ve even looked at it, and I thought it had mostly faded away from my mind. Yet once I started it this time, it all came back so clearly I almost felt like I had it memorised. I began this read with a sense of trepidation; I remembered enough to know that I would find racism and a deeply colonial pov, but I didn’t remember enough to know any details or to guess how this reading would leave me feeling.
What I found was a book that encapsulates the hypocrisy and neglect of white supremacy and christian ‘benevolence’. Some will say, oh it’s ok, it’s a book of its time, so the racism and classism, and all the other isms in this story, can be excused. But why? The child that I was, that desperately needed a fairy tale about being rescued, deserved to also have books that allowed a more complex world to exist. That didn’t create paradigms that center her potential for rescue based on her whiteness, her class, her politeness, her stoic ness, or her feminine ‘goodness’. A book that didn’t reinforce class amongst white people, and completely devalue and dehumanise all people of colour. Children deserve to have magical fairytales to escape in to, without the burden of white supremacist messaging. There are so many wonderful children’s and middle grade novels available now. For me, this one is best left in memory for what it was then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, Classism, Sexism, Bullying, Death of parent, Violence, Child abuse, Colonisation, and Emotional abuse
jstar1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Grief, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Torture, and Emotional abuse
luabinha's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Classism, Death of parent, Bullying, Miscarriage, Cultural appropriation, Confinement, Child abuse, Slavery, and Emotional abuse
luciaartworld's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
“If nature has made you for a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart; and though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that—warm things, kind things, sweet things—help and comfort and laughter—and sometimes gay, kind laughter is the best help of all.”
I'm so glad I decided to give this book a try. I remember loving the 1995 film as a child and I can safely say the book is just as good.
The story of little Sarah Crewe warmed my heart once more. The plot is a very simple one and quite possibly something that you have read before.
When reading it you have to remember the times when this book was written and that this is a story of a child. It includes many cruel and real parts but it also includes fantasy worth of a fairy-tail book.
I think this is a fantastic small read for both children and adults to enjoy.
I'm so glad I decided to give this book a try. I remember loving the 1995 film as a child and I can safely say the book is just as good.
The story of little Sarah Crewe warmed my heart once more. The plot is a very simple one and quite possibly something that you have read before.
When reading it you have to remember the times when this book was written and that this is a story of a child. It includes many cruel and real parts but it also includes fantasy worth of a fairy-tail book.
I think this is a fantastic small read for both children and adults to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
littlecat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
The racism is the biggest ugh of it for me, followed by the classism.
I like Sara as a character, she is genuin kind, but also a little weird in the way of a child that grew up without peers of equal footing, and I like how it shows that kindness is something you have to chose and that sometimes its hard. I do not like the way everyone else is made to be lesser so she can shine, I cried for the other girls, and Saras story is sad, but it has this, this is wrong cause it happens to her a rich person, the happy end literally has Becky becoming her servent instead.
I like Sara as a character, she is genuin kind, but also a little weird in the way of a child that grew up without peers of equal footing, and I like how it shows that kindness is something you have to chose and that sometimes its hard. I do not like the way everyone else is made to be lesser so she can shine, I cried for the other girls, and Saras story is sad, but it has this, this is wrong cause it happens to her a rich person, the happy end literally has Becky becoming her servent instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Confinement, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Racism
rachel_here's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Racism
karenaerts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Racism
lorie336's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have watched the 1939 adaptation that starred Shirley Temple and now have finally read this. To be honest I like the movie better, but I can see the differences and the continuity between the two. In the book there's no young school mistress, no revenge on Lavinia, no searching for her father, no Queen Victoria, and no finding her father. I haven't watched the other movies, but I think they romantized it a bit. I felt odd about the ending, although happy, it was weird to me. If you have read it you will know what I mean, but Becky and Ram Dass were spot on as well as Miss Minnchin. Such cruelty and I had to look up boxing the ears, that's worse than a spanking. Although, Sara was spoiled by her father, she seemed to be caring of others and unselfish, she was the champion of those that were bullied or mistreated. I did enjoy the book and would recommend whether you have seen an adaptation or not, it was still an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent
twilightfairyx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Second attempt at reading this following a failed attempt as a teenager and being a fan of the film.
The story is highly detailed and weaves as wonderful an image as Sara conjures through her own imaginings.
I’ve said there are diverse characters here, but this is not in reference to skin tone, race or religion. There are a vast array of personality types that play throughout the story with each one being very clearly laid out. I personally believe that diversity can be through that too. From what is described, there are only two black characters which, in context of the setting of high class Victorian London, doesn’t feel out of place, but could put some people off.
Definitely one to reread again. I enjoyed it immensely.
The story is highly detailed and weaves as wonderful an image as Sara conjures through her own imaginings.
I’ve said there are diverse characters here, but this is not in reference to skin tone, race or religion. There are a vast array of personality types that play throughout the story with each one being very clearly laid out. I personally believe that diversity can be through that too. From what is described, there are only two black characters which, in context of the setting of high class Victorian London, doesn’t feel out of place, but could put some people off.
Definitely one to reread again. I enjoyed it immensely.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Child abuse
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