Scan barcode
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. Let this one live in our memory for what it was then, and embrace new authors that bring the same sense of wonder without the destructive messages.
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. Let this one live in our memory for what it was then, and embrace new authors that bring the same sense of wonder without the destructive messages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Fatphobia, Racism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Violence
alishajenkins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
katie0528's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A classic children's story I never read but wanted to give a go now after listening to excerpts on the Calm app. It's a cute story about positivity and imagination in the face of adversity, but some of the language and portrayals of minorty characters could be considered offensive to a modern reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
britneyfan19's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
zoeyy's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
fast-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? No
4.25
wondla's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book a friend lent it too me, not being a big reader I was un sure of the size of the book but I flew through it what a good story. 💕
katdfleming's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorites from childhood. Much more adventuresome and deep than the title lets on.