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funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a cozy read, and I could see why it's enjoyable. The Rat and Mole are good wholesome friends. The Badger is serious and responsible. And the Toad is a menace. But their shenanigans and little adventures were pretty wholesome.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So funny that I never once was spoiled on the fact that while Mole and Rat are having fun boat ride adventures that come with some self-discovery, Toad is out here committing obsessive grand theft auto and breaking out of prison and learns NOTHING.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
G-slur is used a number of times in period-typical nonchalance, though the character described isn't necessarily portrayed negatively.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Gun violence, Violence, Alcohol
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism
Minor: Violence, Car accident
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
First time reading this since I was a child and it was so cosy and the perfect read for the beginning of spring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs
Minor: Sexism
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I never read this book as a kid, and read it more now to finally get around to it rather than because I necessarily thought it would be massively my thing, but I completely unexpectedly absolutely loved it. I actually think I enjoyed it a lot more now than I would have when I was younger, though of course it's impossible to stay for sure. It's got the perfect mix of cosy and wholesome vibes on the one hand, and sense of danger and adventure on the other. I adored the focuses on friendship and on bettering yourself, and I adored the prominent role nature played and all the brilliant descriptions.
There is unfortunately some misogyny and fatphobia that comes through, and while I can appreciate the context of when this was written, it still doesn't make for an enjoyable reading experience in that aspect and I still think it's important to view critically. Separately, I also found that, while the pacing is generally good, there's a bit of a 'time jump' towards the end that didn't quite work for me. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this overall, and I'm so glad that I finally got to this book; I can absolutely see why it's such a classic and why it's stood the test of time.
There is unfortunately some misogyny and fatphobia that comes through, and while I can appreciate the context of when this was written, it still doesn't make for an enjoyable reading experience in that aspect and I still think it's important to view critically. Separately, I also found that, while the pacing is generally good, there's a bit of a 'time jump' towards the end that didn't quite work for me. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this overall, and I'm so glad that I finally got to this book; I can absolutely see why it's such a classic and why it's stood the test of time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Violence
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mole and Rats friendship >>>>
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexism
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Despite this being a classic, this book was not for me. The writing was long-winded, rambly, unbearably slow—way too much fluff. It never engaged me and my mind constantly wandered.
Then, as if I needed another reason to dislike the book, the character of Toad was frustratingly arrogant, misogynistic and fatphobic.
Just yuck. There was nothing redeeming about this book for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny