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piendorabox's review against another edition
4.0
tender and thought-provoking, this book gives insight of how mental illness was seen and treated post-WWI. i cried at least 3 times.
crysrowe's review against another edition
5.0
You know you've found a good book when you identify with almost every main character in some way. Although this was a children's book, and told from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl, I found myself forgetting that I wasn't a 12-year-old girl experiencing it with her. It's full of old literature references, and is such a beautifully written novel. Like many of the old classics, it belongs on every bookshelf - whether you're 12, 37, or 92.
bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition
4.0
October's Children's Book of the Month is the debut novel by Lucy Strange begins which begins in a setting similar to 'The Railway Children' by E. Nesbit. It is set in the early 20th century and in a country setting reminiscent of 'The Railway Children', with a change in family home, with a similar family make up, and an unspoken tragedy at the centre of the story.
The similiarites do end quickly though, as Henry has to deal with difficulties that are reminiscent of those in 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys and are slightly harsher than those Nesbit's era were prepared to deal with in a children's book, though Nesbit did write horror stories for adults which were much darker than her children's stories.
Lucy Strange's hero, Henry has to face a lot of problems and feels that she has to do these alone, but as the story develops, so does the friendships she makes develop. She finds support and friendship in some strange places.
The two main shadows over the story are the loss of her elder brother and the aftermath of WWI, both of these are themes throughout the book and weave all the way through the book and each other.
This is a well written book that flows from the moment you open the page and is lovingly decorated throughout with pen sketches of various locations and objects from the story.
The similiarites do end quickly though, as Henry has to deal with difficulties that are reminiscent of those in 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys and are slightly harsher than those Nesbit's era were prepared to deal with in a children's book, though Nesbit did write horror stories for adults which were much darker than her children's stories.
Lucy Strange's hero, Henry has to face a lot of problems and feels that she has to do these alone, but as the story develops, so does the friendships she makes develop. She finds support and friendship in some strange places.
The two main shadows over the story are the loss of her elder brother and the aftermath of WWI, both of these are themes throughout the book and weave all the way through the book and each other.
This is a well written book that flows from the moment you open the page and is lovingly decorated throughout with pen sketches of various locations and objects from the story.
hilaryjsc's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely and classic but with very real emotion at its heart.
storymi's review against another edition
3.0
Eerste boek van het jaar :)
En de quote die ik meeneem 2020 in:
Fluctuat nec mergitur.
En de quote die ik meeneem 2020 in:
Fluctuat nec mergitur.
erinbookbug's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
4.0
The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange (Audiobook read by Lucy Strange)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Children’s Lit
Audience: General
Audience: General
Source: Audible
Published: 2016
Tags: Historical Fiction, Setting - Post WWI / The Great War, Time Period - 1910s, POV First Person, Death, Grief, Trauma, Family, Depression, Postpartum Depression, Mental Health, Women’s Health, Medical Neglect, Medical Experimentation, Suicide, Period-Typical Sexism, Ableism, Drugs, Loss of Autonomy
Characters: Henrietta “Henry” Abbott
Summary: 1919. Mama is ill. Father has taken a job abroad. Nanny Jane is too busy to pay any attention to Henrietta and the things she sees - or thinks she sees - in the shadows of their new home, Hope House.
All alone, with only stories for company, Henry discovers that Hope House is full of strange secrets: a forgotten attic, ghostly figures, mysterious firelight that flickers in the trees beyond the garden.
One night she ventures into the darkness of Nightingale Wood. What she finds there will change her whole world...
I read this story in audiobook format and Lucy Strange is a wonderful writer as well as a wonderful narrator.
The book itself is written beautifully with clear inspiration from early children’s classics such as The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and other similar stories. The writing has a certain magical quality to it that weaves a rich and engaging narrative. You don’t find many Children’s books written in this style anymore which really does make it feel like you’re reading something contemporary to the time period in which the story is set instead of a novel published is 2016.
The topics covered in this book are very similar to the short story, The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Henry’s mother experiences a major depressive episode after the death of her eldest son and the birth of her youngest daughter, and her treatment, while historically accurate, is infuriating to read about. The Secret of Nightingale Wood explores the effects of poor medical treatment and dismissal of mental health and women’s health through the lense of a young daughter trying to protect her mother from the very flagrant abuse of their doctor. There are some fairly dark topics handled throughout the book but more than anything this is a story about grief and how we move forward from tragedy and loss.
Both the book and the audiobook version get a 8/10 from me.
If you liked this book, you should check out:
- Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
jayoder16's review against another edition
4.0
My niece was reading this one day and skipped lunch because she wanted to finish it! She said I need to read it and promptly gave it to me. It was an interesting plot and I wondered a lot to myself as I read through the story. I really appreciated how the story emphasized the importance of healthy ways to deal with loss and grieving in a way that younger people can relate to. I would consider getting this book for my bookshelf to share with young people in the future.
tishreads's review against another edition
5.0
Just absolutely perfect from beginning to end. The story is poetic, touching, and has just the right amount of suspense. It will appeal to those tweens with active imaginations and who like to be transported to another time, but don't necessarily want fantasy. I look forward to reading this author's other works.
katevrst's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jcarsrud's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story with suspense and excitement! I want to keep reading this story!