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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was rereading this book and thinking how very delightful the story is -- frivolous (the heroine is very fond of niceties like flowers and beaded boots) and deep (courage and love!) all at once.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
**Abridged (audiobook) version **
Really enjoyed this, especially with Juliet Stevenson narrating (the reason I chose it).
The world building was great and engaging. A nice light, feel good (short) read. I’d never read the book as a child, or seen the film, so had no comparisons or expectations in mind.
I couldn’t understand the negative review references to behaviour…then realised I’d read the abridged version, which it didn’t feature in and actually the opposite, as Maria’s spirit seems to be encouraged and supported.
...butthe age of Maria and Robin marrying, Maria insisting she didn’t see herself as a child at 13, and that Loveday was also a child bride (whether engaged to Uncle Benjamin or then marrying the lawyer, it seems) is disturbing. Even though it’s set in the 1840s that was not the norm then and completely pointless to the story and plot. It’s not dwelt on in the abridged audiobook, but still a bit creepy.
Really enjoyed this, especially with Juliet Stevenson narrating (the reason I chose it).
The world building was great and engaging. A nice light, feel good (short) read. I’d never read the book as a child, or seen the film, so had no comparisons or expectations in mind.
I couldn’t understand the negative review references to behaviour…then realised I’d read the abridged version, which it didn’t feature in and actually the opposite, as Maria’s spirit seems to be encouraged and supported.
...but
Little White Horse Goudge by Elizabeth Goudge (1996)
As a kid, I LOVED this book. It was so magical & mysterious & enchanting.
This story had it all, charm, fantasy, sweetness, good over bad, and lots of characters I would love to meet. I adored every page.
This is one book I revisit every few years; it's a decidedly British fairy tale setting, with decidedly patriarchal overtones, but I love it so much for the atmosphere and the language. As I get older, the "women shouldn't be overly curious" bit abrades a bit more each time, but still, at 57 years old, the setting and the language and the atmosphere are still winning.
Haven't read this book recently, so I don't know how I would feel about it today, but it was one of those imagination-forming stories I read over and over and more or less "lived in" as a child. Lions, unicorns, secrets, good triumphing over evil (in a sort of quiet, corner-garden kind of way)--what's not to love?