Reviews

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

caramelizing's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

sarahlouise24's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

321zeggy's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

bartlebybleaney's review against another edition

3.0

Charming in its way, though more than a little preachy and optimistically naive. Puts me in mind of Keats's opinion that "We hate poetry that has a palpable design upon us." Could have been subtitled "People Will Help You if You're Wealthy and Then Get in Trouble."

dg12357262's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is an unequivocally feel good book of Blyton  proportions it was simply a lovely cheerful positive book of the adventures of children whose father has been arrested for espionage i think. It tells the stories of how they explore their new home town and get to know their new neighbours and ultimately help many of them in different and unexpected ways. 

It’s a beautiful story of how a child’s innocence can blow though so many prom and proper barriers and get to the root of happiness and friendship

I would recommend this book to anyone especially if they are in a reading rut as it is a fabulously positive book. 

annieb97935's review against another edition

3.0

I read this because it was on a list of 100 best children's books of all time. I loved "The Boxcar Children" when I was a kid but I never had heard of "The Railway Children" or maybe I got them confused.
This is a sweet story and very old fashioned and kind of slow. I enjoyed it and could read it again when I'm in the mood for something like "Swallows and Amazons"

aleppax's review against another edition

La traduzione di Anna Donato è una meraviglia, per certi versi è una fortuna che i bambini leggano in italiano, così che si possa lavorare un po', nella traduzione, sull'età del linguaggio: questo libro che ha più di cent'anni, ritradotto, è più di quello che mi aspettassi. Ho pensato, leggendo, che Edith Nesbit sia stata una mente meravigliosa. Che spasso quando interrompe un attimo il racconto per confidarsi con il giovane lettore.
Come è cambiato il mondo, davvero vale la pena di sentirsi per un po' come Roberta, Phillys e Peter, preoccuparsi così profondamente di non ferire chi ci sta vicino, di voler bene a tutti, senza 'diventare presuntuosi' (come dicono loro) o, invertendo il punto di vista, (come direbbero oggi i malpensanti) 'buonisti'.

unitofraine's review against another edition

4.0

And old favorite that holds its own, even reading it 20+ years later. I might even have to find the old tv movie.

atmorrell's review against another edition

3.0

Cute, but incredibly boring. Most of the events don't even contribute to the plot.

pipkins973's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75