Scan barcode
jenniferstringer's review against another edition
4.0
I can't remember who said that a book worth reading at 10 years old should be worth reading at 50 yrs old. Maybe C.S. Lewis? Anyway, E.B. White did that with Charlotte's Web. Friendship, compassion, mortality and the purpose of life all covered in the farmyard. Michael Sims biography of the the writer explores how the book came about. Well-researched and concise writing - I thought it could use a few photographs, especially of the actual barn that the book was based on or perhaps reprints of the illustrations when that portion was discussed. Would recommend to anyone interested Charlotte's Web.
queenholly's review
2.0
As much as I love EB White's writing, I had big issues with Michael Sims' writing. I listened to the audio version and my 2 star rating is the result of a combination of my issues with the author, and the narration. The narrator was not the right choice for this book.
readerpants's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Could have been an essay instead of a full-length book.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
THE STORY OF CHARLOTTE’S WEB: E.B. WHITE’S ECCENTRIC LIFE IN NATURE AND THE BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
Written by Michael Sims
2011, Walker Books (307 Pages)
Genre: biography, author, writing, history, books
RATING: ★★★★
This is a biography of how E.B. White came to write Charlotte's Web and become a great writer of children's fiction. Sims starts this book with a brief biography of White - he was the youngest of the White children and due to being a late in life child he spent some time on his own. He loved nature, animals and being outdoor even though he had allergies to all three. He began writing at a young age and even being published in children's magazine he read. After college he finds himself at the New Yorker and starts to write essays. Many of his essays, poetry and prose were about nature and animals. One day he can't stop thinking about a mouse and his adventures...his name is Stuart...and he's not a mouse but a child that was very small and looked like a mouse. His first novel, Stuart Little, does well but White waits awhile to work on his final manuscript for Charlotte's Web.
Being around animals as a child he had stories of animals in his head - one was a pig and another a spider. He soon thought about a pig being up for slaughtering and how could he rescue him. And so he researches, writes and send his manuscript to his editor.
To be completely honest, I put a hold on this book at the library simply because it had Charlotte's Web in the title. I had no expectations and sat down on Monday morning and found myself in for a treat. The biography portion of the novel is mostly focused on his youth and his time at the New Yorker. If you are looking for a biography on E.B. White I would recommend trying another book. There are some points in his life that are glossed over in this book, but it makes sense for this look at how he became a children's author. I didn't know anything about E.B. White so this has whetted my curiosity to learn more. This book also increases your TO BE READ pile as I didn't know White also wrote essays. AND, his wife was a great editor and also wrote essays. Her life is very interesting so now I want to read more about her and what she has written. BUT the best part of this book is the story of how White comes to write Charlotte's Web. Sims does a great job in bringing that all to life.
I highly recommend this book to fans of Charlotte's Web, E.B. White, writers and a small history of the New Yorker.
My Novelesque Blog
Written by Michael Sims
2011, Walker Books (307 Pages)
Genre: biography, author, writing, history, books
RATING: ★★★★
This is a biography of how E.B. White came to write Charlotte's Web and become a great writer of children's fiction. Sims starts this book with a brief biography of White - he was the youngest of the White children and due to being a late in life child he spent some time on his own. He loved nature, animals and being outdoor even though he had allergies to all three. He began writing at a young age and even being published in children's magazine he read. After college he finds himself at the New Yorker and starts to write essays. Many of his essays, poetry and prose were about nature and animals. One day he can't stop thinking about a mouse and his adventures...his name is Stuart...and he's not a mouse but a child that was very small and looked like a mouse. His first novel, Stuart Little, does well but White waits awhile to work on his final manuscript for Charlotte's Web.
Being around animals as a child he had stories of animals in his head - one was a pig and another a spider. He soon thought about a pig being up for slaughtering and how could he rescue him. And so he researches, writes and send his manuscript to his editor.
To be completely honest, I put a hold on this book at the library simply because it had Charlotte's Web in the title. I had no expectations and sat down on Monday morning and found myself in for a treat. The biography portion of the novel is mostly focused on his youth and his time at the New Yorker. If you are looking for a biography on E.B. White I would recommend trying another book. There are some points in his life that are glossed over in this book, but it makes sense for this look at how he became a children's author. I didn't know anything about E.B. White so this has whetted my curiosity to learn more. This book also increases your TO BE READ pile as I didn't know White also wrote essays. AND, his wife was a great editor and also wrote essays. Her life is very interesting so now I want to read more about her and what she has written. BUT the best part of this book is the story of how White comes to write Charlotte's Web. Sims does a great job in bringing that all to life.
I highly recommend this book to fans of Charlotte's Web, E.B. White, writers and a small history of the New Yorker.
My Novelesque Blog
randybo5's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure if eccentric or neurotic is a better description of E. B. White. Either way, this was an enjoyable look at his life and creative processes.
bethgiven's review against another edition
3.0
Since I just finished reading Charlotte's Web for the first time with my boys, I thought this would be a good "enrichment" reading for myself. I totally flew through the pages about the writing of Charlotte's Web, fascinated by such details as giving Charlotte her surname (Cavatica is the name of her species) and the reworkings of the story's beginning (so many drafts started at the barnyard, not with Fern). I loved that there was a real barnyard, a real Charlotte (who laid her eggs that White cared for in his New York apartment!), a real pig that inspired Wilbur. I thought it was interesting that White hated rats even though Templeton comes across as one of the most interesting characters to me.
However, the other parts of the book were, frankly, not all the interesting to me. White's privileged childhood and seemingly charmed career didn't make for much drama. Maybe I've just been that I've spoiled after reading some pretty amazing biographies lately (Zamperini, anyone?).
Interesting enough but not exactly a must-read.
However, the other parts of the book were, frankly, not all the interesting to me. White's privileged childhood and seemingly charmed career didn't make for much drama. Maybe I've just been that I've spoiled after reading some pretty amazing biographies lately (Zamperini, anyone?).
Interesting enough but not exactly a must-read.
phidaq's review
4.0
I soak up every New Yorker history I can get my hands on, so I am familiar with the EB White story and many of his writings. In these surveys his original books are often overlooked in favor of the magazine work, so I was curious to hear an emphasis on his masterpiece about the barn, a lovable pig, an eloquent spider. Sims' examination of the creation of CW exceeded my expectations. His no-stone-unturned research yielded careful and succinct prose. His style is not academic but rather the you-are-there approach. I felt closer to Andy and his motivations and creative process (hard work, of course). We all need to re-read Charlotte's Web pronto, preferably aloud to a child.
summerbeecher's review against another edition
3.0
I took a long time to read this book mainly because I only read it on my kindle as I was going to bed at night and my stamina for reading after 9 pm is terrible. However, I delighted in getting to know E.B. (shocked to find out he was called "Andy" by family and friends!) and I just LOVED learning about his life. I was fascinated by his childhood growing up so close to NYC, but on a farm property and how that influenced his love of animals. I also really enjoyed reading about his work in the publishing industry - and his wife who was an even bigger player there. It was so fun to read the names of classic children's authors like Margaret Wise Brown, H.A. Rey and others that were writing at the same time.
I really think Charlotte's Web is nothing short of a piece of literary brilliance so the 2nd half of the book that talked about his process of writing - researching spiders and other animals was amazing.
That being said, this wasn't a page turner and wouldn't likely be interesting for someone who isn't nearly obsessed with Charlotte's Web and Trumpet of the Swan. I'm SO glad I read this!
I really think Charlotte's Web is nothing short of a piece of literary brilliance so the 2nd half of the book that talked about his process of writing - researching spiders and other animals was amazing.
That being said, this wasn't a page turner and wouldn't likely be interesting for someone who isn't nearly obsessed with Charlotte's Web and Trumpet of the Swan. I'm SO glad I read this!