3.84k reviews for:

Wilbur und Charlotte

E.B. White

4.08 AVERAGE


it was so good. i would've loved it as a child.
adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
emotional funny informative lighthearted sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-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
emotional relaxing slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I never read this book before, but due to a challenge I had to read this one. I can say that I did not enjoy it.

From all the praise and all the love I expected a wonderful, glorious and beautiful read. Instead we got whining pigs, spiders (eww, nope), rats without any sense of kindness, some strange girl who can talk with animals.

And yes, Wilbur was a whiny little piece of bacon. Dear lord, that pig whined about everything. Couldn't do anything without the help or direction of others. I had hoped that as Wilbur grew, that he would become more wise, more independent, but no, even after all those years he is a whiny, attention-demanding pig. It just got old very quickly. I liked him better when he was still a little big and not talking (or should I say whining) so much.

Sorry to all, but I didn't like Charlotte. She had a great personality, but I hate spiders. A lot. Even a kind spider does not undo all of my dislike/hate for spiders.
But I was happy what she did for Wilbur (even though he didn't really deserve it). The whole webs with messages was a nice touch.

Templeton was the worst character in this book. I disliked him instantly, I knew he was up to no good. In the end, if it was parts with only him, I skipped those parts. I didn't want to ruin the book for myself any further.

Fern, I must say I loved her the most, well up to the end. Though it is never explained why she, as the only one, could hear the animals. I would have rather had some explanation on why she could talk. And now don't come with the silly things like: She is a kid. I don't take that as an explanation.
However, the ending ruined Fern's character for me. I won't spoil anything, but let's just say I didn't like what happened there. It was too abrupt, too strange.

I heard that people cried while reading this book. I got to the event that I guess people would have been crying over, but sorry, no tears from me. It was quite anticlimactic. I was like: Wait? This is it? This is what all the fuss is about????????

All in all, I am glad I have this book finished and that it wasn't that long. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sad fast-paced

Charlotte’s Web is widely regarded as a timeless classic in children’s literature, praised for its themes of friendship, sacrifice, loyalty, and the inevitable cycle of life. E.B. White certainly intended to teach young readers that life isn’t always fair and that all living things—no matter how small—have value.


While I acknowledge the importance of these lessons and appreciate the gentle way they’re introduced to children, I found myself unmoved revisiting this book as an adult. Despite its reputation, the emotional resonance just didn’t land for me this time around. I’ve reread many classic children’s books and found them rich with nostalgia and layered meaning, but Charlotte’s Web gave me more of a sense of forgetfulness than fondness.


The story’s pacing is slow, and while Charlotte’s sacrifice is noble, it lacks the emotional depth that might truly stir older readers. I also wonder if children will grasp the more subtle messages on a first read—or if those lessons might fly by without deeper reflection.


Ultimately, Charlotte’s Web remains a sweet and gentle story, ideal for its intended audience. But as an adult revisiting it, it didn’t evoke the lasting magic or emotional pull I’d hoped for. A classic, yes—but not one that personally stood the test of time for me.


adventurous hopeful 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