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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
What a great book. I had seen the movie, and that was fun, but this book tells a more exciting story. It does such a great job at transporting you to that time and place, and the characters are so likeable and unique.
Fascinating. Definitely read this too late to get the same enjoyment as a child would. Instead I kept getting swept up in possible themes: downsides of materialism; the perspective we're stuck in when we have limited experience of the world, and know only what family/community members tell us; the 1950s publishing date and the house wife who seems obsessed with making a pleasant home and terrified of the outside world- the only respectable option available to her?
Illustration style also uniquely disconcerting, the sketched lines go through objects, rather than halting to suggest when perspective would block view of a foot behind a table or pocket watch beneath a foot as seen on the cover. It's done consistently enough that it seems a purposeful choice, rather than an unedited early draft mistake, it does add to the pleasantly cluttered look, if you don't look too close.
Illustration style also uniquely disconcerting, the sketched lines go through objects, rather than halting to suggest when perspective would block view of a foot behind a table or pocket watch beneath a foot as seen on the cover. It's done consistently enough that it seems a purposeful choice, rather than an unedited early draft mistake, it does add to the pleasantly cluttered look, if you don't look too close.
More like 3.5 stars.
This is was just simply a delightful little read! I don't have much to say about it besides that I enjoyed it and would defiantly recommend it!
This is was just simply a delightful little read! I don't have much to say about it besides that I enjoyed it and would defiantly recommend it!
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a classic story that I had heard a lot about before I picked it up.
I love the Studio Ghibli animated film Arrietty which is based on it.
As a children's book this has a premise that stirs imaginative possibility. At the very start of the story it is mused that all the lost little things that you just can't find any more must go *somewhere* and the idea that little noises made in the walls of old houses might be a society of tiny people is one of those things that seems improbable, but that one continually encounters hints of. A rustle in the evening could just be hot embers settling, or the beams shrinking, or mice.. or someone tiny falling off their cottonreel chair...
As it was published in 1952, some of these things are a little dated. The way that these families are named and the stories of the different families reinforce the ideas of classism, snobbery, and there being the Haves and Have-nots. The main boy in the story is raised in British Imperial India, and is convalescing in the English air. One of the mentions of a woman in curlers, likens her to a gollywog. It's not how that would be expressed today. * *grimace* *
I did love the way that things are described. Even little observations like how a child's pet ferret seems to flow out of his pocket, or the ridges and shades of a person's ear, feel simple and yet relatable, and provide texture to a world seem from the eyes of children, and a world built in miniature. I'm also always sucked in by the enthusiasm of reusing and repurposing things. I guess I'm a maker and scavenger at heart.
I love the Studio Ghibli animated film Arrietty which is based on it.
As a children's book this has a premise that stirs imaginative possibility. At the very start of the story it is mused that all the lost little things that you just can't find any more must go *somewhere* and the idea that little noises made in the walls of old houses might be a society of tiny people is one of those things that seems improbable, but that one continually encounters hints of. A rustle in the evening could just be hot embers settling, or the beams shrinking, or mice.. or someone tiny falling off their cottonreel chair...
As it was published in 1952, some of these things are a little dated. The way that these families are named and the stories of the different families reinforce the ideas of classism, snobbery, and there being the Haves and Have-nots. The main boy in the story is raised in British Imperial India, and is convalescing in the English air. One of the mentions of a woman in curlers, likens her to a gollywog. It's not how that would be expressed today. * *grimace* *
I did love the way that things are described. Even little observations like how a child's pet ferret seems to flow out of his pocket, or the ridges and shades of a person's ear, feel simple and yet relatable, and provide texture to a world seem from the eyes of children, and a world built in miniature. I'm also always sucked in by the enthusiasm of reusing and repurposing things. I guess I'm a maker and scavenger at heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book gives the characters more depth than the movie version.
A simple, classic read.
I really enjoyed picking this up before bed over the last few days :)
The book overall was pretty short, with only around 180 short pages, but the story itself didn't feel rushed in anyway. (That might just be because I only read a few chapters each night though.. So it helped to prolong the story)
It sort of felt like a trip down memory lane despite the fact that I haven't actually read the book before. I guess it's because I've seen the Ghibli film adaption "The World of Arrietty" quite a few times growing up.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
I really enjoyed picking this up before bed over the last few days :)
The book overall was pretty short, with only around 180 short pages, but the story itself didn't feel rushed in anyway. (That might just be because I only read a few chapters each night though.. So it helped to prolong the story)
It sort of felt like a trip down memory lane despite the fact that I haven't actually read the book before. I guess it's because I've seen the Ghibli film adaption "The World of Arrietty" quite a few times growing up.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No