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lana_denise's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
rereader33's review against another edition
3.0
2023 April Reading Challenge
Prompt: read a banned book
For those of you unaware, "Charlotte's Web" has been challenged/banned in many school districts because "it is blasphemous for animals to talk--only humans should talk, and the discussion of death." Which is easily one of the dumbest things I've heard in a long time, but then again so are all the other reasons why people want to ban books.
And if anyone tries to defend this in the comment section, let me make a couple of things clear:
-There is nothing you can say that will convince me that this or any other book should be banned, no matter the subject matter or the contents on the page.
-Censorship is a ridiculous and unbeneficial act, it exists purely for people to exert power over others, not because they actual care about content that is in the text, and wanting something banned demonstrates that you are a childish individual who will throw a temper tantrum because other people shouldn't be allowed to read something you personally dislike.
-Please, for the love of God, find something real to care about. There are hundreds of actually important issues going on in the world (war, famine, drought, wild fires, murder, etc.) Banning a book because you don't like the fact that is has talking animals in it and/or discusses death is *NOT* an important issue. I repeat, PLEASE. FIND. SOMETHING. REAL. TO CARE. ABOUT.
With that out of the way, onto the review.
Believe it or not, I never had to read this book for school. Yes, at the tender age of thirty-one, I am finally reading this book. And it was okay.
There were some things that I liked, specifically Charlotte and Fern, as well as some of the discussions on worth and friendship. But the biggest problem I had with this book were the other characters. While I understand that Wilbur was (probably) meant to act as a child, since Charlotte seemed like a mother-figure, but Wilbur was really grating for most of the book. He was either crying, yelling, or whining, and yes I understand that children do these things, but it becomes obnoxious really fast. Templeton was a jerk the entire book and while I get that White was trying to show how the other characters kind of exploited him, he was such a foul character that I felt no sympathy or empathy for him. As for the other characters, they just kind of existed.
Overall, I think this was a solid read and is deserving of its place as a classic even if I didn't like it as much as everyone else. That's about all I have to say, this was a good book.
Prompt: read a banned book
For those of you unaware, "Charlotte's Web" has been challenged/banned in many school districts because "it is blasphemous for animals to talk--only humans should talk, and the discussion of death." Which is easily one of the dumbest things I've heard in a long time, but then again so are all the other reasons why people want to ban books.
And if anyone tries to defend this in the comment section, let me make a couple of things clear:
-There is nothing you can say that will convince me that this or any other book should be banned, no matter the subject matter or the contents on the page.
-Censorship is a ridiculous and unbeneficial act, it exists purely for people to exert power over others, not because they actual care about content that is in the text, and wanting something banned demonstrates that you are a childish individual who will throw a temper tantrum because other people shouldn't be allowed to read something you personally dislike.
-Please, for the love of God, find something real to care about. There are hundreds of actually important issues going on in the world (war, famine, drought, wild fires, murder, etc.) Banning a book because you don't like the fact that is has talking animals in it and/or discusses death is *NOT* an important issue. I repeat, PLEASE. FIND. SOMETHING. REAL. TO CARE. ABOUT.
With that out of the way, onto the review.
Believe it or not, I never had to read this book for school. Yes, at the tender age of thirty-one, I am finally reading this book. And it was okay.
There were some things that I liked, specifically Charlotte and Fern, as well as some of the discussions on worth and friendship. But the biggest problem I had with this book were the other characters. While I understand that Wilbur was (probably) meant to act as a child, since Charlotte seemed like a mother-figure, but Wilbur was really grating for most of the book. He was either crying, yelling, or whining, and yes I understand that children do these things, but it becomes obnoxious really fast. Templeton was a jerk the entire book and while I get that White was trying to show how the other characters kind of exploited him, he was such a foul character that I felt no sympathy or empathy for him. As for the other characters, they just kind of existed.
Overall, I think this was a solid read and is deserving of its place as a classic even if I didn't like it as much as everyone else. That's about all I have to say, this was a good book.
indigoblue777's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Charlotte's Web wasn't as bad as I remembered from when I was little. Still, it is terrible. Sorry to those who love it.
I have to read this for my Children's Literature class this semester. I sped read this book in one day.
I have to read this for my Children's Literature class this semester. I sped read this book in one day.
pearl10's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
maddidunham's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-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
3.75
ava_xoxo4's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-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? No
3.5
coolestamory's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
This re-read was shared with my son, aged 5. I read this with my own mother, loved the cartoon, and was thrilled when I could tell my boy was old enough to have it read to him as well.
There's something special about certain books being read aloud. Charlotte's Web is one of those - being able to share moments of drama ("Where's Papa going with that axe?!"), and the voices of the sneering Templeton and the comic Goose, are elements that work well out loud.
White never shies away from more complex language either - in his story of the spider's quest to save her friend from a bacon-destined fate, he waxes rather lyrical, romanticises the seasons and the life of a farmyard. All things that children will gloss over, but are actually quite a pleasure to read aloud and to narrate for a young listener. They are quite soothing bedtime sections as well.
The story itself is simple, and never to be forgotten. Wilbur the runt fears death at the hands of the far-from-cruel Farmer Zuckermann, after hearing he will be the Christmas meal. His new friend Charlotte, a spider, promises she will save his life. And gradually, he and his human surrogate mother Fern watch as she uses her web to send out the message that this pig is a special one.
Of course, the life cycle must begin and end and circle around, as baby goslings are born, Charlotte ages, and her life's work nears completion...
I always anticipate my reaction, I always steel myself, and always it is to no avail. On this read, I had to explain to my son my rather violent reaction to the end of the story, something that no child sees in quite the same way.
It's just beautifully conveyed, the noble yet lonely end of surely one of the most beloved and loyal friends in children's fiction. With the most poignant closing pages ever conceived.
Truly glorious writing, with so much in it of friendship, the revolving patterns of life, growing up and moving on without those we love.
I can't think of another children's book that affects me to anywhere near the same degree as Charlotte's Web. Surely a timeless classic for every generation of children and their sobbing parents.
There's something special about certain books being read aloud. Charlotte's Web is one of those - being able to share moments of drama ("Where's Papa going with that axe?!"), and the voices of the sneering Templeton and the comic Goose, are elements that work well out loud.
White never shies away from more complex language either - in his story of the spider's quest to save her friend from a bacon-destined fate, he waxes rather lyrical, romanticises the seasons and the life of a farmyard. All things that children will gloss over, but are actually quite a pleasure to read aloud and to narrate for a young listener. They are quite soothing bedtime sections as well.
The story itself is simple, and never to be forgotten. Wilbur the runt fears death at the hands of the far-from-cruel Farmer Zuckermann, after hearing he will be the Christmas meal. His new friend Charlotte, a spider, promises she will save his life. And gradually, he and his human surrogate mother Fern watch as she uses her web to send out the message that this pig is a special one.
Of course, the life cycle must begin and end and circle around, as baby goslings are born, Charlotte ages, and her life's work nears completion...
I always anticipate my reaction, I always steel myself, and always it is to no avail. On this read, I had to explain to my son my rather violent reaction to the end of the story, something that no child sees in quite the same way.
It's just beautifully conveyed, the noble yet lonely end of surely one of the most beloved and loyal friends in children's fiction. With the most poignant closing pages ever conceived.
Truly glorious writing, with so much in it of friendship, the revolving patterns of life, growing up and moving on without those we love.
I can't think of another children's book that affects me to anywhere near the same degree as Charlotte's Web. Surely a timeless classic for every generation of children and their sobbing parents.