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jade's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
saschabookishowl's review against another edition
3.0
I was a bit disappointed in this book. For some reason I assumed that the entire book is about Mowgli (& Baloo, Bagheera, etc.). But it is only the first +/- 100 p. The rest is stories about talking animals in other parts of the world. I enjoyed Mowgli's story a little less than I expected, because I was spoiled by the Disney cartoon & live-action movie which feature more fun with monkeys and more excitement with fire. I also liked the story with the seals and the one with the mongrel. I didn't really get the last two stories (the one with the elephants and the little boy & the one with the animals in the war camp).
I decided to round the rating up a little, as it is my own fault to expect something different and given the fact that these stories were written quite some time ago.
I decided to round the rating up a little, as it is my own fault to expect something different and given the fact that these stories were written quite some time ago.
nyom7's review against another edition
4.0
For those that aren’t aware, this is not one story and is in fact seven short stories with only the first three about Mowgli. Do not expect those three stories to be like the Disney film. They are far more subtle and interesting than that. Of the other four stories, one is about a seal searching for a safer breeding shore, another about a mongoose protecting a home from snakes, a third about a child involved in driving and capturing elephants, whilst the last is a narrative about several different animals’ role in war.
For me, though the 7th story fits in with the animal theme it didn’t really fit in with the more general feel of the other 6 stories and I could wish that it was not the last one as any of the other three non-Mowgli stories would, for me, have made a nicer ending.
Beware that for the Mowgli stories there are lots of words/references that are not in the modern British vernacular, and may well be unique to the Brit in India of that era. You can understand and follow it but be aware of that. That being said I did enjoy the stories a lot. Far more indeed than the Disney film (though if I’m honest, that’s generally the case as the source material is usually much more interesting).
It would make a great 5-7 year old’s bedtime story book, reading maybe half a story a night (each story is ~40 or so pages but that includes the illustrations and the words/page is relatively low). It also makes a great book to read as an adult and makes you think about the animal kingdom.
For me, though the 7th story fits in with the animal theme it didn’t really fit in with the more general feel of the other 6 stories and I could wish that it was not the last one as any of the other three non-Mowgli stories would, for me, have made a nicer ending.
Beware that for the Mowgli stories there are lots of words/references that are not in the modern British vernacular, and may well be unique to the Brit in India of that era. You can understand and follow it but be aware of that. That being said I did enjoy the stories a lot. Far more indeed than the Disney film (though if I’m honest, that’s generally the case as the source material is usually much more interesting).
It would make a great 5-7 year old’s bedtime story book, reading maybe half a story a night (each story is ~40 or so pages but that includes the illustrations and the words/page is relatively low). It also makes a great book to read as an adult and makes you think about the animal kingdom.
alyxandrathegr8's review against another edition
3.0
i liked it alot. It wasn't exactly what i was expecting but lovely nonetheless.
the_headshaker's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Generally delightful. Some of the stories were better than others. I had no idea that this book wasn't entirely about Mowgli. I was also surprised by how dark and violent the tales were in places. This is NOT Disney's Jungle Book, which made me extremely happy. Glad to have finally gotten around to this classic.
kitdunsmore's review against another edition
3.0
I love the India Kipling evokes, but the stories in this collection are uneven. My favorite is Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Kipling describes him so vividly you can see the twitchy mongoose and can't help but root for him.
thelibrarylady42's review against another edition
2.0
I gave up 3/4 of the way through. Some of the stories were awesome and some I just didn't care about.
omnificer's review against another edition
3.0
Despite my terminal adulthood the fables in the Jungle Book are quite enjoyable. Since these are fables and the characters are archetypes, the characters are simple, and as simple archetypes I think they deliver the morals of the fables well.
Even with the tinge of imperialism throughout the story, I do enjoy reading these derivations of Indian tales and hopefully can find more of that.
The chapters having accompanying songs is delightful and something I'd like to try singing to children someday.
Since this is a children's book the language might wind up being difficult for them to follow. The formal and archaic 'thou' and 'thy' isn't inappropriate, just a bit of a barrier to modern readers, but I don't know to what extent until I try.
Even with the tinge of imperialism throughout the story, I do enjoy reading these derivations of Indian tales and hopefully can find more of that.
The chapters having accompanying songs is delightful and something I'd like to try singing to children someday.
Since this is a children's book the language might wind up being difficult for them to follow. The formal and archaic 'thou' and 'thy' isn't inappropriate, just a bit of a barrier to modern readers, but I don't know to what extent until I try.