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katykelly's review
4.0
The Secret Garden as a fantasy fairy tale
4.5 stars
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy stories, but sometimes there's an aspect that really appeals to me. Here it was the similarities I saw halfway through to Hodgson Burnett's classic, which I've just listened to with my son.
Lampie's mother has died, not long ago. Her lighthouse keeper father, himself a former sailor, is not coping well and with a leg injury, has his daughter take on more and more of his chores. After accidentally causing a shipwreck by not having matches to light the lamp on a stormy night, Lampie and her father are separated on bad terms, to work off the debt.
She is sent to a big house, with an absent master, harassed and secretive servants, and a reported 'monster'. But is it really a monster, or something much more remarkable?
The similarities to 'The Secret Garden' were considerable (there's a Mary, Colin, Martha and even a Dickon of sorts), though the fantasy elements encourage some other themes to be brought out - not just family, friendship and grief, but those of acceptance, diversity and humanity. The nature theme transfers from gardens and growing to the sea.
I could feel the period setting quite strongly, particularly at the fair/circus - to contemporary children (who haven't seen The Greatest Showman) the 'freak show' will be quite a new and astonishing idea.
Lampie makes a realistic heroine - flawed, but brave and ultimately a good friend. The grief of Lampie and her father is quite heartfelt, the growth of each slowly realised.
I ultimately really enjoyed this, it's a Dutch story translated and I never even considered this while reading, there are no issues with language structure or vocabulary. I've always enjoyed Pushkin's publications, and there is a feel of a certain Hans Christian Andersen about this as well.
For ages 8-13.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample reading copy.
4.5 stars
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy stories, but sometimes there's an aspect that really appeals to me. Here it was the similarities I saw halfway through to Hodgson Burnett's classic, which I've just listened to with my son.
Lampie's mother has died, not long ago. Her lighthouse keeper father, himself a former sailor, is not coping well and with a leg injury, has his daughter take on more and more of his chores. After accidentally causing a shipwreck by not having matches to light the lamp on a stormy night, Lampie and her father are separated on bad terms, to work off the debt.
She is sent to a big house, with an absent master, harassed and secretive servants, and a reported 'monster'. But is it really a monster, or something much more remarkable?
The similarities to 'The Secret Garden' were considerable (there's a Mary, Colin, Martha and even a Dickon of sorts), though the fantasy elements encourage some other themes to be brought out - not just family, friendship and grief, but those of acceptance, diversity and humanity. The nature theme transfers from gardens and growing to the sea.
I could feel the period setting quite strongly, particularly at the fair/circus - to contemporary children (who haven't seen The Greatest Showman) the 'freak show' will be quite a new and astonishing idea.
Lampie makes a realistic heroine - flawed, but brave and ultimately a good friend. The grief of Lampie and her father is quite heartfelt, the growth of each slowly realised.
I ultimately really enjoyed this, it's a Dutch story translated and I never even considered this while reading, there are no issues with language structure or vocabulary. I've always enjoyed Pushkin's publications, and there is a feel of a certain Hans Christian Andersen about this as well.
For ages 8-13.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample reading copy.
siraels's review
5.0
5 stars
This was a book that I wasn't exactly sure if I'd like or not. I bought it on a book festival, mainly because of how beautifully illustrated it is, the cover and the book and it was styled in a way I haven't seen before.
The story is also beautifully told, telling it in the present tense certainly was a great idea because it fits the book so well. I really enjoyed the writing style and it basically flew by itself. I'm not that used to reading middle grade books and I'm always surprised by how quickly it reads.
Lampie was an amazing main character! I love her bravery and strength, how she always found a way through her troubles. And especially how selfless she was! Even all the other characters, August, Edward, Martha, Lennie, Nick, Emilia, they all had their flaws, including Lampie, and I loved reading about them and their flaws.
I will certainly keep this one in my posession and for sure reread it, one day. It is a very sweet story about bravery, friendship, pirates and mermaids and that is all you need from a good book!
This was a book that I wasn't exactly sure if I'd like or not. I bought it on a book festival, mainly because of how beautifully illustrated it is, the cover and the book and it was styled in a way I haven't seen before.
The story is also beautifully told, telling it in the present tense certainly was a great idea because it fits the book so well. I really enjoyed the writing style and it basically flew by itself. I'm not that used to reading middle grade books and I'm always surprised by how quickly it reads.
Lampie was an amazing main character! I love her bravery and strength, how she always found a way through her troubles. And especially how selfless she was! Even all the other characters, August, Edward, Martha, Lennie, Nick, Emilia, they all had their flaws, including Lampie, and I loved reading about them and their flaws.
I will certainly keep this one in my posession and for sure reread it, one day. It is a very sweet story about bravery, friendship, pirates and mermaids and that is all you need from a good book!
myrdin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
lieselotte_schoeters's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
markijbema's review against another edition
4.0
Ik was sort-of per ongeluk aan dit kinderboek begonnen. Ik browse vaak in de online bibliotheek app naar luisterboeken en kwam deze tegen met goede ratings. Pas toen ik begonnen was viel het me op dat het niet als een volwassenen boek klonk. Maar erg mooi verhaal, vond t zeker leuk. Voorgelezen door de auteur (vind ik wel een plus)
marinkasmith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
borrelvissie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
I read the (original) Dutch version of this book, Lampje, after I received it as a gift for December holidays (Sinterklaas) from my parents, back in 2018. I very clearly recall how much I loved it when I first read it and I've reread it several times. It is undoubtedly the book I love most from my early childhood, I still think very fondly of it. The characters are very fleshed out - Lampje (I believe her name is Lampie in English?), or Emilia, is brave, but her fear, doubt, homesickness and grief are properly addressed as well. Admittedly, I still sometimes pick it up to reread my favourite scenes, even after six years and knowing the story from start to finish in detail.
mevrouwtenkate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
cloe_vetsuypens's review against another edition
5.0
Een zeer mooi, ontroerend verhaal - geschikt voor zowel kinderen als volwassenen - om leesjaar 2024 op een schitterende manier in te zetten!