Scan barcode
dark_marble_eyes's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This has been on my to-read list for ages, as I loved the 1993 movie as a child. The magic of a child exploring and discovering new things was certainly there, but I knocked it down a bit because it didn't quite grab me as I hoped it would. I was prepared for the ableism, as I knew it was a key point in the story, but it's still a negative. It also lost points with me because the racism in it tarnished the entire story. The characters' ignorant comments, while certainly "of their time," made them significantly less lovable, even at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
strawbibble's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Racial slurs, Racism, Abandonment, Ableism, Child abuse, Body shaming, Classism, Colonisation, and Medical trauma
_suvi_'s review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Such a lovely, hopeful, and happy book that was such a heartwarming experience in ways that are hard to describe. I had never read this book as a child and apparently there are movie adaptations too I’ve never heard about. Nevertheless the magical realism with the mystery and secrecy were really compelling combined with the vivid description of the nature. What kind of stood out from the beautifullness of the book was its age. Many instances of describing India were uncomfortable or upright terrible, which is not a surprise for a book written in England in the 1910s. Also, the book’s main character, Mary, fades into the background near the end of the book where the book starts to focus on Colin and his relationship with his self-image and his father, which is disappointing, especially since is such a strong character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Ableism, and Racism
livelaughomo's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
Minor: Death
lucygoosey's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, and Chronic illness
maggibird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Ableism
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I didn't quite finish this book bc I kept falling asleep every time I picked it up so I just skimmed to the end after chapter 22 bc Mary virtually disappeared and FHB seemed as done writing this story as I was reading it. But I'll count it as read bc I read near 80%. Anyways the first four chapters are jarringly racist and the story throughout has that racist undertone of how Mary became a civilized person once she went out to the fresh, white air moor bc India is hot and terrible and weird. Honestly this book is past its expiration date. FHB's writing is easy and sticks with you though but if you have to read a FHB book, read A Little Princess it's still got its problematic stuff (I suppose bc I read it years ago and don't remember much) but it's not as jarringly racist as this one. And Sara Crewe stomps on Mary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
yggie's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Such a wholesome, lovely book. Great cast, great development. This book is one of the few I can reread every few years and it will always make me feel better.
That said, it's very much a product of its time, and the casual racism at the beginning is definitely not ok.
That said, it's very much a product of its time, and the casual racism at the beginning is definitely not ok.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Alcoholism, Classism, Racial slurs, Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Grief
amalielisabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Ableism, and Chronic illness
kw_may4's review
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Ableism