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jessalynn_librarian's review
4.0
I know, I know - a sequel to A Little Princess? Does the world really need it? Not necessarily, but the world DOES need all the books it can get by Hilary McKay, and if she wants to write about what happens to Ermengarde and the others after Sara leaves, then I want to read it.
I thought it struck a nice balance between maintaining the world of the original and showing us things from another point of view. What was going on with the other girls that Sara never witnessed? How do they cope with her departure? The result is a sweet story that should please most fans of the original, even though it's definitely McKay's construction and not Burnett's. It's probably best to read the original book first, although McKay does refresh your memory if you haven't read it recently.
I thought it struck a nice balance between maintaining the world of the original and showing us things from another point of view. What was going on with the other girls that Sara never witnessed? How do they cope with her departure? The result is a sweet story that should please most fans of the original, even though it's definitely McKay's construction and not Burnett's. It's probably best to read the original book first, although McKay does refresh your memory if you haven't read it recently.
couillac's review
4.0
A lovely story with surprisingly nuanced characters. McKay takes a slightly feminist stance, providing back story on why Miss Minchin is the way she is, and giving Lavinia some depth and a chance at heroics. Lottie is a hoot, and Ermengard, the main character, is a believable adolescent struggling to find happiness and her own place in the world. It's sweet, yes, and has a tidy little happy ending, but fans of the original story and anyone looking for a nice old-fashioned tale (with a bit of a contemporary twist) should be pleased.
federo999's review
4.0
This was a pretty good sequel. I am not positive that everything matched up, but I really liked getting to know Ermengard and Lottie and even Lavinia better. I was able to see their depth. Good book, I would read it again. After I read the original, of course.
miraelth's review
4.0
Well written for a sequel, especially as one by a different author, in a different time period. I loved learning more about the characters especially Ermengarde.
booktrish's review
4.0
McKay wisely follows the girls left behind at Miss Minchin's rather than trying to follow Sara Crewe. A very satisfying read for Little Princess fans, as you get to know some of the other characters in the book a little better and find out what happened to Sara.
afterwhat's review
4.0
So, I have very fond memories of A Little Princess from childhood, and the story is lovely and magical and candlelit in my mind. And obviously, when a book that's been adored for a century suddenly begets a sequel, there's a concern that it'll go the way of Scarlett, and you'll have to divorce it entirely in your mind from the original, to pretend that it's a stand-alone, mediocre romance. Or a children's wish-fulfillment novel, whatever. Anyway, it's a concern.
Here's the deal: Hilary McKay did an amazing job on this book. The tone and writing style stay true to Burnett's original, and the characters are easily identifiable as those from the book as well. And, I hate to have to say this, because...A Little Princess, right? But I think McKay actually improved on Burnett's work. The characters are the same characters, but because they're not seen through the eyes of Sara Crewe (who I love, right, but she was extremely self-righteous, spoiled, superior, and classist), they're so much more. They're people in they're own right. And this book is much more self-aware of all those issues, especially the classism, but it fits right in with Burnett's work because the characters who we're seeing things through are characters who would be more aware of it than Sara was.
So, I loved the fire, which was a frightening adventure (without being terrifying), but was also cleansing, a rebirth for everyone at the Select Seminary. And I love that every single person got a happy ending, because A Little Princess gave Sara such an exultant one and left all of the other characters to sighingly stagnate.
And I teared up in that moment, after the fire, when this happened:
So anyway, this was a winner, for me.
Here's the deal: Hilary McKay did an amazing job on this book. The tone and writing style stay true to Burnett's original, and the characters are easily identifiable as those from the book as well. And, I hate to have to say this, because...A Little Princess, right? But I think McKay actually improved on Burnett's work. The characters are the same characters, but because they're not seen through the eyes of Sara Crewe (who I love, right, but she was extremely self-righteous, spoiled, superior, and classist), they're so much more. They're people in they're own right. And this book is much more self-aware of all those issues, especially the classism, but it fits right in with Burnett's work because the characters who we're seeing things through are characters who would be more aware of it than Sara was.
And I teared up in that moment, after the fire, when this happened:
Tristram's uncle said, “Perhaps after all there is a God.” The vicar, who had never doubted it, knelt in the mud and ashes and gave thanks.Because I loved those girls, you know? And I'm not one for religion, but...that'd give you cause to wonder, if anything would.
So anyway, this was a winner, for me.
myweekendisbooked's review
3.0
What a clever book. The characters are charming and the plot is immediately endearing with a new view of the adventures of Sara Crew. Hillary McKay is not my favorite writer, but the book itself is sweet.
reynoldsreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0