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itabar's review against another edition
4.0
I loved loved loved Saffy's Angel. And the sequels had great bits in them, but were a bit more "disturbing", i.e. they were not all sweetness and light. My expectations led me to enjoy them less.
However... on rereading these I realize McKay dealt with some *really* tough subjects in a gentle way: bullying, infidelity, being very sick and no one realizes and you keep trying to work to earn money, homelessness (being unloved by a parent). And I applaud her for that. So I'm adding a star to all the previous books. I've finished this book and I'm still thinking about poor David.
However... on rereading these I realize McKay dealt with some *really* tough subjects in a gentle way: bullying, infidelity, being very sick and no one realizes and you keep trying to work to earn money, homelessness (being unloved by a parent). And I applaud her for that. So I'm adding a star to all the previous books. I've finished this book and I'm still thinking about poor David.
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.5
I came to this after re-reading the rest of the series and soon realised I never read this one when I was younger. This is certainly weaker than the first three but I think I enjoyed it more than Caddy Ever After. Rose is still such an endearing character and I'm still not bored of spending time with the Casson family.
saragatland's review against another edition
5.0
I love the Casson family. They are like cousins to me. I know my way around their house. My dad and Bill meet up for coffee sometimes in London, they are friends but at the same time they don't really get along. Caddy, Saffy, Indigo and Rose are my cousins who live a few hours away from us, so we visit them a lot. I spend time with Indigo and Saffy, while my brother plays with Rose. The two of them share their hatred for reading, unlike me. My mum and Eve are always talking on the phone together, exchanging stories of their jobs (who bought paintings from Eve, who accepted books from my mum) and their absentmindedness. My family shares their inside jokes and their love of small, furry animals. With all this in mind, here is my review of Forever Rose:
We went to visit the Cassons just after New Year, and Caddy and Michael were there, and Tom, and Caddy had some amazing news and an unexpected guest with her. I haven't seen Tom in ages, and I know how much Rose has missed him. She was in a surprisingly good mood, and introduced me to 'Buttercup', Caddy's son.
"I named him," she told me proudly.
"That's not his REAL name though," I said.
"Yes, it is. So."
And she told me how Caddy and Michael are engaged now. Again.
And then all of my cousins' friends started arriving. Molly and Kiran turned up first, but were soon shooed away by Caddy to avoid planning for another zoo sleepover (don’t ask). Sarah came over for lunch, bringing a few books for Rose (she passed them on to my brother, who subsequently handed them to me). Saffy and Sarah groaned when David came to see Indigo, and left for Sarah’s house. David insisted on giving us a show with his drums, which was… interesting. And his drums were in Saffy’s room, which explains the huge cut on her forehead, considering her room is so small. I was really sad when our visit was finished, as we probably won’t see the Cassons very often nowadays.
Hilary McKay is my favorite author, I love all of her books but especially the Casson ones. She writes in a way that makes the characters seem alive. Does anyone ever compare the character in Harry Potter to their own family? I think not.
We went to visit the Cassons just after New Year, and Caddy and Michael were there, and Tom, and Caddy had some amazing news and an unexpected guest with her. I haven't seen Tom in ages, and I know how much Rose has missed him. She was in a surprisingly good mood, and introduced me to 'Buttercup', Caddy's son.
"I named him," she told me proudly.
"That's not his REAL name though," I said.
"Yes, it is. So."
And she told me how Caddy and Michael are engaged now. Again.
And then all of my cousins' friends started arriving. Molly and Kiran turned up first, but were soon shooed away by Caddy to avoid planning for another zoo sleepover (don’t ask). Sarah came over for lunch, bringing a few books for Rose (she passed them on to my brother, who subsequently handed them to me). Saffy and Sarah groaned when David came to see Indigo, and left for Sarah’s house. David insisted on giving us a show with his drums, which was… interesting. And his drums were in Saffy’s room, which explains the huge cut on her forehead, considering her room is so small. I was really sad when our visit was finished, as we probably won’t see the Cassons very often nowadays.
Hilary McKay is my favorite author, I love all of her books but especially the Casson ones. She writes in a way that makes the characters seem alive. Does anyone ever compare the character in Harry Potter to their own family? I think not.
k_lupin's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
book_nut's review against another edition
5.0
On what planet have I been on? Hilary McKay has written four of the Casson family books, and I just find out on the last one? I LOVED IT. So English. So Wonderful. Made my day. (Now to read the other four!)
12/14: Made me a bit melancholy this time, but only because I will miss the Cassons.
April 2022: these are so lovely, like coming home in all the best ways.
12/14: Made me a bit melancholy this time, but only because I will miss the Cassons.
April 2022: these are so lovely, like coming home in all the best ways.
ancientdebra's review against another edition
3.0
Fifth (and final, I think) in the heart-warming adventures of the unique Cassen family, this story is told completely from the perspective of the youngest member of the family, Rose. She is lonely as everyone else is off living their own lives, except for Indigo's friend David who keeps showing up and brings his large drum set with him. Although it includes some of the touching moments that made me love the previous novels, I didn't love this one as much. I think I miss the perspective of Indigo the most. I wonder, though, if I would feel differently the next time I were to read or listen to it. I listened to some of the others and really enjoyed them.
I'm pamming the end for you- as I loved it the most (hopefully the author won't mind since it might lead you to read the rest!)
"I have read quite a lot of books lately, and I intend to read many more. And in books I have discovered that there are sometimes lonely patches.
And scary times
Disasters
Catastrophes
And long paragraphs of no use at all except possibly (says Saffron)to build up your stamina.
But also there are jokes
Friends
Adventures
and homes.
And these things
Will help you through the long paragraphs
Lonely patches
Perils
And even problems with as many heads as dragons.
To live happily Ever After
Which is exactly
What I
Intend
To do
Forever
Rose."
I'm pamming the end for you- as I loved it the most (hopefully the author won't mind since it might lead you to read the rest!)
"I have read quite a lot of books lately, and I intend to read many more. And in books I have discovered that there are sometimes lonely patches.
And scary times
Disasters
Catastrophes
And long paragraphs of no use at all except possibly (says Saffron)to build up your stamina.
But also there are jokes
Friends
Adventures
and homes.
And these things
Will help you through the long paragraphs
Lonely patches
Perils
And even problems with as many heads as dragons.
To live happily Ever After
Which is exactly
What I
Intend
To do
Forever
Rose."
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
5.0
I just love this series. I don't know why. They just speak to me some how.
hannahilea's review against another edition
3.0
Not up to usual Hilary McKay snuff. At all. Sort of disappointing.
lucylexislawton's review against another edition
2.0
ok so once again i feel the need to make it clear that under usual circumstances (meaning, not this shitty first-person style of writing) i adore the casson family. saffy’s angel and indigo’s star are two of my favourite books ever. that being said, the series went downhill immensely right after those two.
the story itself wasn’t dreadful, and would’ve worked better in the usual style. i am glad that caddy and michael ended up together and the baby was a sweet edition. i also liked how david ended up living with the cassons in their attic room. i think the point that not all mothers love their kids was necessary to make, coming from someone in a similar situation - and i just wish i could find the sort of family that “uncle davy” has.
i wasn’t exactly happy with the decision to kill david’s granddad, considering he was like the sweetest guy in the world and the only person david’s ever been able to rely on. but i guess it was kind of integral to the moving-on of the story and david got his happy ending after all.
i do think that a more interesting plot might have entailed the aging-up of all the characters. i understand they do grow up by a couple of years or so between each book, but i think it would be far more exciting to read about their future exploits - what’s changed, and what’s stayed the same. i think rose could be a brilliant tattoo artist. i wouldn’t have minded a book from her perspective if it was as interesting as all that could’ve been.
in conclusion, this book was bearable, but i did have to stop halfway through and read 4 other books in order to regain my will to finish it. i love you, casson family - i just love you more in third-person.
the story itself wasn’t dreadful, and would’ve worked better in the usual style. i am glad that caddy and michael ended up together and the baby was a sweet edition. i also liked how david ended up living with the cassons in their attic room. i think the point that not all mothers love their kids was necessary to make, coming from someone in a similar situation - and i just wish i could find the sort of family that “uncle davy” has.
i wasn’t exactly happy with the decision to kill david’s granddad, considering he was like the sweetest guy in the world and the only person david’s ever been able to rely on. but i guess it was kind of integral to the moving-on of the story and david got his happy ending after all.
i do think that a more interesting plot might have entailed the aging-up of all the characters. i understand they do grow up by a couple of years or so between each book, but i think it would be far more exciting to read about their future exploits - what’s changed, and what’s stayed the same. i think rose could be a brilliant tattoo artist. i wouldn’t have minded a book from her perspective if it was as interesting as all that could’ve been.
in conclusion, this book was bearable, but i did have to stop halfway through and read 4 other books in order to regain my will to finish it. i love you, casson family - i just love you more in third-person.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Hilary McKay's Casson family stories are always a treat - the story lines are never idyllic, but the books always end up having a pleasantly eccentric, idyllic quality. I'm never sure how to describe them, but I love them all and I was delighted to see a fifth installment. Start with Saffy's Angel, then Indigo's Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After, and then this one - they don't have to be read in order, but you might as well if you're starting from the beginning. The stories all deal with four siblings, and their friends, so a variety of ages are always represented, although each story tends to focus on one child. They're about at a middle school level, in terms of content, but probably enjoyable several years younger, as well.