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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
The end of this book was a bit of a let down. We enjoyed the beginning and had a few great discussions about the eating and hunting habits of cats and other wild animals. The beginning was filled with adventure and ideas that captured Charlotte but then the story began to lag.
There is a lengthy chapter about boating that had us all bored but recovers nicely.
We had a discussion about running away but the concept didn't grab Charlotte's attention despite the fact that it bothered to see Stuart leave his family without so much as a goodbye.
On his road trip, Stuart courts a girl that is also "small of stature" and there is another lengthy passage about boats. The friendship never develops and the addition of a new small friend doesn't add anything to the story accept a growing feeling that Stuart is disconnected from human relationships.
I supposed the intention was to develop a story about adolescent wonderlust and and a young man seeking is fortune and pursing his first love. Yet when Stuart drives off into the sunset the book closes at a low point with no resolution to main conflict.
-Mom
(Read to Charlotte age 4.5)
There is a lengthy chapter about boating that had us all bored but recovers nicely.
We had a discussion about running away but the concept didn't grab Charlotte's attention despite the fact that it bothered to see Stuart leave his family without so much as a goodbye.
On his road trip, Stuart courts a girl that is also "small of stature" and there is another lengthy passage about boats. The friendship never develops and the addition of a new small friend doesn't add anything to the story accept a growing feeling that Stuart is disconnected from human relationships.
I supposed the intention was to develop a story about adolescent wonderlust and and a young man seeking is fortune and pursing his first love. Yet when Stuart drives off into the sunset the book closes at a low point with no resolution to main conflict.
-Mom
(Read to Charlotte age 4.5)
This is a classic, must-read childrens book that makes an enjoyable read-aloud despite its flaws.
We enjoyed the beginning and had a few great discussions about the eating and hunting habits of cats and other wild animals. The beginning was filled with adventure and ideas that captured Charlotte but then the story began to lag.
There is a lengthy chapter about boating that had us all bored but recovers nicely.
We had a discussion about running away but the concept didn't grab Charlotte's attention despite the fact that it bothered to see Stuart leave his family without so much as a goodbye.
On his road trip, Stuart courts a girl that is also "small of stature" and there is another lengthy passage about boats. The friendship never develops and the addition of a new small friend doesn't add anything to the story accept a growing feeling that Stuart is disconnected from human relationships.
I supposed the intention was to develop a story about adolescent wonderlust and and a young man seeking is fortune and pursing his first love. Yet when Stuart drives off into the sunset the book closes at a low point with no resolution to main conflict.
-Mom
(Read to Charlotte age 4.5)
We enjoyed the beginning and had a few great discussions about the eating and hunting habits of cats and other wild animals. The beginning was filled with adventure and ideas that captured Charlotte but then the story began to lag.
There is a lengthy chapter about boating that had us all bored but recovers nicely.
We had a discussion about running away but the concept didn't grab Charlotte's attention despite the fact that it bothered to see Stuart leave his family without so much as a goodbye.
On his road trip, Stuart courts a girl that is also "small of stature" and there is another lengthy passage about boats. The friendship never develops and the addition of a new small friend doesn't add anything to the story accept a growing feeling that Stuart is disconnected from human relationships.
I supposed the intention was to develop a story about adolescent wonderlust and and a young man seeking is fortune and pursing his first love. Yet when Stuart drives off into the sunset the book closes at a low point with no resolution to main conflict.
-Mom
(Read to Charlotte age 4.5)
I adore White's writing but did he just give up on anything resembling a plot?
2018 UPDATE: I'm adding a star on my second reading. I can't help it, White's development of this persnickety little guy is delightful to read. I know these vignettes emerged as non sequitur and the overall plot ARC is non-exsistant, but after reading Melissa Sweet's SOME WRITER, from a few years ago I see so much of Andy's own character expressed in this adventurous mouse.
2018 UPDATE: I'm adding a star on my second reading. I can't help it, White's development of this persnickety little guy is delightful to read. I know these vignettes emerged as non sequitur and the overall plot ARC is non-exsistant, but after reading Melissa Sweet's SOME WRITER, from a few years ago I see so much of Andy's own character expressed in this adventurous mouse.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stuart Little is a child who is only two inches tall and has features that make him resemble a mouse. This is not really particularly explained, and it's clearly not meant to be overthought.
Most of the book is a series of misadventures related to Stuart's size. He gets trapped in a window shade and accidentally thrown out with the garbage, getting a not-so-grand tour of New York City in the process. He competes in a race with a toy boat and befriends a (talking; this is not explained either) bird.
When his bird friend is forced to fly North, Stuart sets out to find her. From here, the story takes a digression into an awkward almost-romance, and then turns mystical with an encounter with a telephone line repairman.
I loved the (non-) ending. I'm sure a lot of readers hated it. I also thought that Stuart is an engaging character who shines in both humorous and serious situations.
Most of the book is a series of misadventures related to Stuart's size. He gets trapped in a window shade and accidentally thrown out with the garbage, getting a not-so-grand tour of New York City in the process. He competes in a race with a toy boat and befriends a (talking; this is not explained either) bird.
When his bird friend is forced to fly North, Stuart sets out to find her. From here, the story takes a digression into an awkward almost-romance, and then turns mystical with an encounter with a telephone line repairman.
I loved the (non-) ending. I'm sure a lot of readers hated it. I also thought that Stuart is an engaging character who shines in both humorous and serious situations.
2.5 stars.
There are cute moments and a bit of E.B. White magic, but this book just didn't have the same charm as his other novels. The narrative felt like little vignettes rather than a logically flowing story and the premise was a bit awkward. In addition, the ending is weak and incomplete. Definitely a disappointment.
There are cute moments and a bit of E.B. White magic, but this book just didn't have the same charm as his other novels. The narrative felt like little vignettes rather than a logically flowing story and the premise was a bit awkward. In addition, the ending is weak and incomplete. Definitely a disappointment.
enjoyed it up until the end. it was just too abrupt.
(also i keep thinking about the fact mrs little gave birth to a "mouse" like jfc imagine that coming out of your vagina in the hospital)
(also i keep thinking about the fact mrs little gave birth to a "mouse" like jfc imagine that coming out of your vagina in the hospital)
lighthearted
I found Stuart Little to be a strange book. The chapters are short, and although they do connect to make a loose story, most of the them could be read individually and it wouldn't matter. Stuart is not the most likeable character but that is probably because the author wasn't trying to develop the characters in any way. Most of the chapters are about how Stuart gets himself in and out of different mischievous situations. Nothing in the story makes a lot of sense (even for a kid's book) and needs to be taken with a grain of salt. For instance, is Stuart a boy or a mouse? Why do the humans understand the animals? Would a family with a son like a mouse really have a pet cat?
The ending was very rushed and ended on a cliff hanger. I almost thought that I had read an abridged version or that my book was missing chapters, but no, White ended his story in a very vague and abrupt manner with many loose ends. I don't think Stuart Little will be living on in my memory for long like Charlotte's Web does, but it is nice to see how much better White's storytelling got in just six years.
The ending was very rushed and ended on a cliff hanger. I almost thought that I had read an abridged version or that my book was missing chapters, but no, White ended his story in a very vague and abrupt manner with many loose ends. I don't think Stuart Little will be living on in my memory for long like Charlotte's Web does, but it is nice to see how much better White's storytelling got in just six years.