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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’d never read The Railway Children as a child, and enjoyed reading as an adult.
Whilst old fashioned and twee in many ways, and some questionable views, particularly the doctor’s speech on the difference between men and women jarred, it is understandable given it was written nearly 120 years ago.
I found it charming, and loved how the children created the friendships and the community. The fact they walked along the tracks terrified me! And that a baby was left sleeping on a barge was unthinkable!
Whilst old fashioned and twee in many ways, and some questionable views, particularly the doctor’s speech on the difference between men and women jarred, it is understandable given it was written nearly 120 years ago.
I found it charming, and loved how the children created the friendships and the community. The fact they walked along the tracks terrified me! And that a baby was left sleeping on a barge was unthinkable!
I listened to this book because it was read by the same person who I enjoyed two Jane Austen novels by.
I enjoyed all the little adventures the children got up to and how they handled dangerous or daunting situations. However, sometimes things did seem too easy. The children were, overall, very likable. The people in town seemed to enjoy having the children around, almost against their better judgement sometimes, which was amusing. I enjoyed the bits about Jim (and his uncle) and Mr Szczepansky most. The fact that the children never really got in trouble for anything they did, when it was something worth getting in trouble about, was a bit annoying. Also the fact that the family is apparently very poor but I never truly got that impression. The mother told them they could only put jam OR butter on their bread, not both, and they only got a basket of buns whenever she sold a book, but other than that they seem to fair just fine.
I enjoyed all the little adventures the children got up to and how they handled dangerous or daunting situations. However, sometimes things did seem too easy. The children were, overall, very likable. The people in town seemed to enjoy having the children around, almost against their better judgement sometimes, which was amusing. I enjoyed the bits about Jim (and his uncle) and Mr Szczepansky most. The fact that the children never really got in trouble for anything they did, when it was something worth getting in trouble about, was a bit annoying. Also the fact that the family is apparently very poor but I never truly got that impression. The mother told them they could only put jam OR butter on their bread, not both, and they only got a basket of buns whenever she sold a book, but other than that they seem to fair just fine.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was much better than The Treasure Seekers! It felt much more realistic, in the sense that the three children actually had hardships to endure, and they embraced the pain instead of just ignoring the seriousness of the issue at hand (like the children in The Treasure Seekers often did). I thoroughly enjoyed it; it made me realize and remember what childhood was like, and the benefit of helping others.
fast-paced
What a wonderful quaint children’s book! I loved it!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
All of Nesbit's books for children are wonderful, and I grew up reading most of them. Though this one has the always satisfactory theme of justice gone wrong, it's a bit too priggish (even though the children warn each other against this unattractive trait). Still, a thumping good read, and I may track down the film and TV series now. Thanks to the Backlisted podcast for the discussion.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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