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natreadstheworld's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Orphaned at a young age, James is sent to live with his two spinster aunts. After several long years of torment, something magical happens that sends sends his life spinning in a very different direction - and so begins a fantastical adventure that changes James' life forever.
I loved the whimsical spirit of this book. The first couple of chapters are a bit intense, featuring the excessive abuse from his aunts, but once the magic starts, it's an easier read. I do think the magic of the story is enough to overcome the intensity of the first few chapters, at least for most readers. Spurred by mysterious magic, James sets out on an adventure unlike any other, quickly forming close friendships with his unusual traveling companions, the bugs within the peach. The adventures are light-hearted and fully of whimsy. Often, the fantastical elements of the story are presented without explanation, they're simply a part of the story, accepted as-is. This makes for an easy, simple read that allows the reader to focus only on the story as it happens, rather than puzzling out the way the magic works in this world.
I found this to be an easy and enjoyable read. The chapters are also short and simple, making it a perfect beginning chapter reader.
I loved the whimsical spirit of this book. The first couple of chapters are a bit intense, featuring the excessive abuse from his aunts, but once the magic starts, it's an easier read. I do think the magic of the story is enough to overcome the intensity of the first few chapters, at least for most readers. Spurred by mysterious magic, James sets out on an adventure unlike any other, quickly forming close friendships with his unusual traveling companions, the bugs within the peach. The adventures are light-hearted and fully of whimsy. Often, the fantastical elements of the story are presented without explanation, they're simply a part of the story, accepted as-is. This makes for an easy, simple read that allows the reader to focus only on the story as it happens, rather than puzzling out the way the magic works in this world.
I found this to be an easy and enjoyable read. The chapters are also short and simple, making it a perfect beginning chapter reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
Note: I've seen some comments present the book as being fatphobic, due to the large size of one of the villainous sisters. I do not believe the fatphobic label is accurate, because the other sister is just as equally thin, and still villainous, and both are presented as vain and selfish. Thus, their villainy is not tied to their actual physical appearance, so I don't consider it to be fatphobic. However, it's still worth noting that there does happen to be a villain in this story who is extremely large.bitterseason's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Racism
em8ly's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A wonderful book, made better by reading it to my children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, and Death
shayh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Cursing
Minor: Racism
nrogers_1030's review
adventurous
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Physical abuse and Child abuse
nemonobody11's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It was cute but, I actually enjoyed the movie more🤷‍♂️ I give it a 2.5
Also there are some very problematic things in the book like fat phobia and a hint of racism when the grasshopper says he would rather be cooked and eaten by a Mexican, which was a very unnecessary line and honestly a gross thing to write.
Also there are some very problematic things in the book like fat phobia and a hint of racism when the grasshopper says he would rather be cooked and eaten by a Mexican, which was a very unnecessary line and honestly a gross thing to write.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism
araeofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
“My dear young fellow,” the Old-Green-Grasshopper said gently, “there are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven't even started wondering about yet.”
I have found memories of this book. My 2nd grade teacher read a few chapters to my class daily after lunch and recess to transition back into the classroom. I have to admit that other than remembering there was a giant peach and an adventure involved, I had no specific memory, just a general fond nostalgia.
The book started off a lot darker than I remembered. The beginning, specifically, has blatant child abuse, which is kind of played off casually, and then the death of those abusers as they’re crushed to death by the giant peach. After that, however, the joy and adventure and friendship of this book took over and it was a delight to read. I can imagine myself as a 2nd grader really loving the fantastical elements of this book and, honestly, I really enjoyed them as an adult too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
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