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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
One of my most favorite rereads (although A Little Princess is better).
slow-paced
3.75 stars
Slow story about a girl named Mary who moves in with her distant uncle after she becomes an orphan. There she meets some servants and friends and creates a bond with the natural world.
While this is in the same genre as ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, I didn't enjoy this one as much.
Slow story about a girl named Mary who moves in with her distant uncle after she becomes an orphan. There she meets some servants and friends and creates a bond with the natural world.
While this is in the same genre as ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, I didn't enjoy this one as much.
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Yes
I fell in love with this story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Racism, Death of parent, Colonisation
Moderate: Grief
My favorite classic I've read so far. It had such a child-like wonder throughout the whole story, making it feel magical. The biggest theme is finding happiness and health through discovering the beauty of nature and friendship. Great read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Dang. I lost my review. Here's the short version: I liked this book as a kid, not as an adult. The children are entitled and obnoxious. The book is colonial and classist. I couldn't even get interested in the garden itself, and I love gardens. Two stars instead of one because I know that as a child, I liked this book. Of course, I also liked New Kids On the Block, so take it for what it is.
I could never get into this book as a child in the 1970s. Now, reading it for the first time as an adult, I have very mixed feelings.
The nature-writing, the garden descriptions, the turn of the season from winter to summer, the childhood friendships, and the restoration of two young children to health and strength are all delightful.
The 'Magic' stuff towards the end is plain weird. It's harmful nonsense and it made me uncomfortable. Here's a snippet - Colin is speaking about a woman in an abusive marriage:
The nature-writing, the garden descriptions, the turn of the season from winter to summer, the childhood friendships, and the restoration of two young children to health and strength are all delightful.
The 'Magic' stuff towards the end is plain weird. It's harmful nonsense and it made me uncomfortable. Here's a snippet - Colin is speaking about a woman in an abusive marriage:
She used the wrong Magic until she made him beat her. If she'd used the right Magic and had said something nice, perhaps he wouldn't have got as drunk as a lord and perhaps - perhaps he might have bought her a new bonnet.
Ugh.