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cmbohn's review against another edition
2.0
would only be tolerable if abridged. I liked the story of Hans and his little family, their tragedy and their determination to get through it. But then somehow we got this group of young boys who were allowed to spend a winter holiday unsupervised with plenty of money skating all over Amsterdam, having various adventures, and delivering long tedious lessons about Dutch life and history and culture to the token English boy who makes all this slightly plausible. I SOOOOOOO didn't care. If want to read Dutch history - and I wouldn't mind, actually - I will, but if I want to read about the Brinkers, and I did when I picked up the book, TELL ME THE STORY YOU STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE! Skipped to end, where of course, everything turned out happily ever after. So there.
marjolaine_lafreniere's review against another edition
2.0
I first read that book in my early teens, and it was an abridged version, heavily illustrated and translated in French. Some sort of combination of all those facts made me remember the story as much better then I actually found it this time around. Some things should stay in the past, I guess.
elleainea's review
3.0
Lately children's novels give me a certain feeling, one which I can't find the right word for. But a positive one, that's for sure.
As for the book, even though the development was not to my personal taste, the characters seemed well written.
As for the book, even though the development was not to my personal taste, the characters seemed well written.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Hans and his sister Gretel are poor. Their father was injured years ago and left with brain damage, so it is up to their mother to support the family. Hans tries to get work, but there are no jobs available in the winter time in Holland.
All the children in their village are excited for a grand skating race that will be held after Christmas, but Hans and Gretel only have cheap wooden skates that Hans made himself.
One of my favorite books as a child! Love it! There are so many elements to the story, and yet it is simple and pretty. The writing is so charming and sweet! The plot kept my interest, and I got so attached to the characters.
Hans is such a plucky character, and it was heart-breaking to see him striving so earnestly to help his family, even when it meant a personal sacrifice for him, like not being able to participate in the skating race. He is honorable and hard-working, always ready to do the right thing no matter the cost.
Gretel is sweet and cute, and her family really rely on her to bring cheerfulness and affection into their home. When her father acts strangely because of his mental damage, Gretel is the one who knows how to calm him by singing his favorite songs. Gretel is the emotional compass of the family.
A great deal of the story does not follow Hans or Gretel, but a group of boys from their village who are taking a sight-seeing trip to neighboring towns and cities. Peter is the leader of the group, and they are joined by a British boy, Benjamin, who is visiting his Dutch cousin. Through their sight-seeing, they talk a lot about the history of Holland, educating the reader about various battles, famous people, scientific achievements, and beautiful architecture.
I especially loved the scenes that show particular traditions of Dutch culture at the time. There is a scene where the boys visit a church to hear some beautiful music at a church service, and they are in awe of the wonderful music. I loved that scene, because it shows the rich culture and appreciation for the arts!
All the children in their village are excited for a grand skating race that will be held after Christmas, but Hans and Gretel only have cheap wooden skates that Hans made himself.
One of my favorite books as a child! Love it! There are so many elements to the story, and yet it is simple and pretty. The writing is so charming and sweet! The plot kept my interest, and I got so attached to the characters.
Hans is such a plucky character, and it was heart-breaking to see him striving so earnestly to help his family, even when it meant a personal sacrifice for him, like not being able to participate in the skating race. He is honorable and hard-working, always ready to do the right thing no matter the cost.
Gretel is sweet and cute, and her family really rely on her to bring cheerfulness and affection into their home. When her father acts strangely because of his mental damage, Gretel is the one who knows how to calm him by singing his favorite songs. Gretel is the emotional compass of the family.
A great deal of the story does not follow Hans or Gretel, but a group of boys from their village who are taking a sight-seeing trip to neighboring towns and cities. Peter is the leader of the group, and they are joined by a British boy, Benjamin, who is visiting his Dutch cousin. Through their sight-seeing, they talk a lot about the history of Holland, educating the reader about various battles, famous people, scientific achievements, and beautiful architecture.
I especially loved the scenes that show particular traditions of Dutch culture at the time. There is a scene where the boys visit a church to hear some beautiful music at a church service, and they are in awe of the wonderful music. I loved that scene, because it shows the rich culture and appreciation for the arts!
oopsie's review against another edition
2.0
This book tells us the story of Hans and Gretel, two singlings that live in Holland. They grew up in a poor house and with an ill father who suffers from a brain injury.
The siblings can only count on themselves and on the support of their mother to go on and to take care of their father.
The story begins when Hans and Gretel decide to take part in the town's skating competition to try and win the famous Silver Skates.
Even tough the book was supposed to develop around the sibling's story in reality a great part of it describes the adventures of another group of boys.
In fact, almost half of this novel tells us about the trip that some of the boys from Hans and Gretel's town decide to take part in. The boys are leaded by Peter, who soon becomes another important character of the story, and they go on a trip that will take them and us on a journey across Holland.
I think that this part of the novel was crearly written with the intention of getting the reading to know more about Holland's history and culture.
While I first enjoyed this description of the country it slowly began to bore me after some time and I couldn't wait to go back to the siblings story.
In fact, I think that the author spent too much time in describing Holland's history and the country's folklore.
This turned the story to be kind boring from me.
Another thing that I didn't like about this book is the fact that Holland and its people are depicted so perfectly and as if they could only do righteous and admirable things. They are never described or shown in a bad light and everyone who seems a little bit selfish is immediately depicted as bad by the author.
I also didn't like the fact that all of the female characters of the novel are characterized only by their beauty, their grace, their kindness and so on...
They are never described to have other abilities or capabilities besides the ones that a classic housewife to-be would have.
Another thing that I absolutely didn't appreciate was the fact that the figure of the wife is always expected to follow her husband's wishes, to respect him and to provide him of everything he may want or desire...
While I understand that this book was written in the 18th century I still can't get myself to support a novel that contributes to diffuse this kind of patriarchal behevior and morals to children.
In the end, though, I have to say that I think this is a children's book mainly written with the intention of getting young people to know more about Holland and its cultures.
While the novel does a good job at that I didn't like the fact that its morals where so old minded (even if considering the period when the book was written).
This was a good read which I enjoyed but I don't know if I would recommend it to anyone unless they would like to get to know about Holland or they are simply looking for a children's book.
The siblings can only count on themselves and on the support of their mother to go on and to take care of their father.
The story begins when Hans and Gretel decide to take part in the town's skating competition to try and win the famous Silver Skates.
Even tough the book was supposed to develop around the sibling's story in reality a great part of it describes the adventures of another group of boys.
In fact, almost half of this novel tells us about the trip that some of the boys from Hans and Gretel's town decide to take part in. The boys are leaded by Peter, who soon becomes another important character of the story, and they go on a trip that will take them and us on a journey across Holland.
I think that this part of the novel was crearly written with the intention of getting the reading to know more about Holland's history and culture.
While I first enjoyed this description of the country it slowly began to bore me after some time and I couldn't wait to go back to the siblings story.
In fact, I think that the author spent too much time in describing Holland's history and the country's folklore.
This turned the story to be kind boring from me.
Another thing that I didn't like about this book is the fact that Holland and its people are depicted so perfectly and as if they could only do righteous and admirable things. They are never described or shown in a bad light and everyone who seems a little bit selfish is immediately depicted as bad by the author.
I also didn't like the fact that all of the female characters of the novel are characterized only by their beauty, their grace, their kindness and so on...
They are never described to have other abilities or capabilities besides the ones that a classic housewife to-be would have.
Another thing that I absolutely didn't appreciate was the fact that the figure of the wife is always expected to follow her husband's wishes, to respect him and to provide him of everything he may want or desire...
While I understand that this book was written in the 18th century I still can't get myself to support a novel that contributes to diffuse this kind of patriarchal behevior and morals to children.
In the end, though, I have to say that I think this is a children's book mainly written with the intention of getting young people to know more about Holland and its cultures.
While the novel does a good job at that I didn't like the fact that its morals where so old minded (even if considering the period when the book was written).
This was a good read which I enjoyed but I don't know if I would recommend it to anyone unless they would like to get to know about Holland or they are simply looking for a children's book.
ellsworthinwonderland's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
calistareads's review against another edition
5.0
AS a child, I loved this book. I read it during the winter olympics. It just fascinated me. I reread it later in life and it's more of a learning book. It's not exciting really, but I would still recommend it
avonlea_booknerd's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sorry but I found this book extremely boring. Just not for me I guess.
juliavdelft's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook for the most part, which was great, and then read the rest. You can tell it's a classic, written in the 1860s, and a lot different than kids' books nowadays. Worth reading, though. I was especially interested because of all the history she puts in there. It's not boring. Also the overall story is a happy one.
annegirl's review against another edition
3.0
I would rate some parts of their book lower and some higher but both my daughters rated it 3 or below so I am settling on 3.