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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. For me, this one is best left in memory for what it was then.
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. For me, this one is best left in memory for what it was then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, Classism, Sexism, Bullying, Death of parent, Violence, Child abuse, Colonisation, and Emotional abuse
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
cristoc's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the rat appreciation
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Classism
platosfire's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Racism
starrystarryeyed's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
Minor: Racism
b_lownds127's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
One of my favorite classics to read aloud (with a few edits).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Racism, Classism, Colonisation, and Racial slurs
wicked_west_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
inkdrinkers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
My first time reading this was an experience. I never grew up knowing this story or being familiar with the movie - therefore I went in with no knowledge of it at all.
In short, it's not a bad story but I definitely didn't like it. Pushing aside the clear issues of classism, racism, and body shaming from 100 years ago - this story just didn't resonate with me. Sarah is continually put through the seven levels of hell and is such a perfect character she carries on with unflinching determination. I also found it SO creepy that the choice was made to have a grown man creep into her bedroom to bestow gifts on her. This book has the logic of a fairytale and lacks the charm of them.
Also justice for Becky because she deserved more than just becoming a paid maid at the end.
In short, it's not a bad story but I definitely didn't like it. Pushing aside the clear issues of classism, racism, and body shaming from 100 years ago - this story just didn't resonate with me. Sarah is continually put through the seven levels of hell and is such a perfect character she carries on with unflinching determination. I also found it SO creepy that the choice was made to have a grown man creep into her bedroom to bestow gifts on her. This book has the logic of a fairytale and lacks the charm of them.
Also justice for Becky because she deserved more than just becoming a paid maid at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Classism, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
jfield351's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a good book. I’ve never read it before, only seen the movie and I think they changed some details in the movie. Sara was a beautiful character and the story was very lovely. I read this very fast on the 26th and 28th of feb 2022. It helped me to relax and therefore helps me complete the dymocks reading challenge for ‘a book that helps you relax’.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Child abuse
Moderate: Bullying and Slavery
Minor: Colonisation, Death of parent, War, Body shaming, Racism, Xenophobia, and Chronic illness
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Okay, I watch/listen to *a lot* of BookTube content and everyone who recommends this book NEVER mentions the fact that there's a character who basically spies on the MC night after night, and then proceeds to sneak (break) into her room one night and completely redecorate it. Look I know it was completely innocent and was supposed to be sweet and magical, but that's wild and creepy AF if you really think about it. Like why does nobody mention it when talking about this book? 😂😂😂
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Grief, Racism, Classism, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Religious bigotry, Blood, Colonisation, and Slavery