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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
The writing in this book is absolutely exquisite - almost making up for the fact that the messages in this book are way off base. The main character Maria is a fiery, curious girl but is constantly being told that these qualities are bad and exclusively feminine...
She must not ‘quarrel’ or act upon her inquisitiveness - these are BAD and it is made clear to the reader that these are seen as exclusively feminine traits.
There’s a character who literally says that he hates females - he literally says this. The entire household prides itself on having no females within the house for many years before Maria arrives.
We love a bit of 19th century sexism.
She must not ‘quarrel’ or act upon her inquisitiveness - these are BAD and it is made clear to the reader that these are seen as exclusively feminine traits.
There’s a character who literally says that he hates females - he literally says this. The entire household prides itself on having no females within the house for many years before Maria arrives.
We love a bit of 19th century sexism.
so uh rereading this for class was interesting...
the pointed racism/colorism where the evil men are dark-skinned and are associated with the color black is yikes but par for the course for British literature tbh
and also the romanticization of feudalism...hoo boy
it's a beautiful and quaint story but I cannot look at it the same way anymore lol
the pointed racism/colorism where the evil men are dark-skinned and are associated with the color black is yikes but par for the course for British literature tbh
and also the romanticization of feudalism...hoo boy
it's a beautiful and quaint story but I cannot look at it the same way anymore lol
The story is rather simple, actually. Maria arrives in Moonacre Valley and pretty much goes about her normal life. Her old friend from when she was younger reappears in her life, and I honestly thought Robin was going to turn out to be some sort of fairy boy. He had all the qualities and disposition of one. Her uncle is an accepting man, though a businessman, and treats the young Maria as his superior, bowing to her desires as easily as anything even though he is truly the one in charge. The townsfolk welcome Maria with open arms, the Old Parson and the children, Loveday and the animals, the staff of Moonacre Manor.
It may seem that things happen to easily for Maria, that simply her deciding to do it makes it possible and probably to happen. However, the book also lends itself to the belief that there is a sort of magic in Moonacre Valley and that it, too, wants all the wrongs committed within its hills to be corrected, and thus it helps her out.
I liked how the animals had personalities and made decisions and 'spoke' without every actually saying a word. I liked how things were explained simply, in a way that even wild concepts seemed commonplace.
There were moments when a character would be described and my mental image did not add up to what I thought the author intended, simply because I know that the way in which we describe people has changed since The Little White Horse was written. In the same vein of thought, the ideas of what a woman is capable of versus what a man is capable of, what their duties are in life, are different from those today. However, Maria manages great things and the characters do their utmost within these societal definitions to bring the story to a satisfying close.
It may seem that things happen to easily for Maria, that simply her deciding to do it makes it possible and probably to happen. However, the book also lends itself to the belief that there is a sort of magic in Moonacre Valley and that it, too, wants all the wrongs committed within its hills to be corrected, and thus it helps her out.
I liked how the animals had personalities and made decisions and 'spoke' without every actually saying a word. I liked how things were explained simply, in a way that even wild concepts seemed commonplace.
There were moments when a character would be described and my mental image did not add up to what I thought the author intended, simply because I know that the way in which we describe people has changed since The Little White Horse was written. In the same vein of thought, the ideas of what a woman is capable of versus what a man is capable of, what their duties are in life, are different from those today. However, Maria manages great things and the characters do their utmost within these societal definitions to bring the story to a satisfying close.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was surprised that Hannah was as excited about this book as she was because the prose is very different than in a modern novel, but we enjoyed this beautiful, human fairytale. The language and descriptions are mesmerizing, but definitely slow down the plot.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Absolutely wonderful!
4.5
The Little White Horse was a superb read that will forever stay in the depths of my mind. This book included wonderful wisps of fantasy and magic, with scrumptious details of the food and surrounding environments. As I was reading this, I felt I was standing beside Maria and following along all of her crazy adventures.
This book made me believe in the things that people say are impossible, and that is what I love most about this story. It will always be in my mental (and physical) shelf.
The Little White Horse was a superb read that will forever stay in the depths of my mind. This book included wonderful wisps of fantasy and magic, with scrumptious details of the food and surrounding environments. As I was reading this, I felt I was standing beside Maria and following along all of her crazy adventures.
This book made me believe in the things that people say are impossible, and that is what I love most about this story. It will always be in my mental (and physical) shelf.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A purely indulgent reread of the book that inspired one of my favorite movies. Looking back, it really isn't all that good of a book, focusing more on describing every little detail than any semblance of plot development. It's also very Christian and pushes it at every point. Still, I'm emotionally attached to Robin and Maria, so they'll always get a pass from me.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So this is a cute children's book. The writing though a bit repetitive (it's silver, or rather silvery, we get the point!) still unfolds nicely and describes every setting and action with the necessary detail to be fully immersed in the story.
I think a lot of people dislike the very last paragraph(s) and am one of them but I prefer to think about the rest of the book. and the rest of the book is pretty cool for a kid.
I think a lot of people dislike the very last paragraph(s) and am one of them but I prefer to think about the rest of the book. and the rest of the book is pretty cool for a kid.