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carrvan3's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Lovely and whimsical
glindaaa's review against another edition
2.0
Okay so the long story about how I got this book was already posted before but I love how I got my hands on classic books without having to pay a single penny (since I'm very broke that makes things so easy). I don't know many second hand stores in my home town so it's difficult to find but I've got some and this is another classic book from the same writer as Winnie the Pooh.
I must say the book was alright, it was not very interesting story wise, it was very nicely written though and putting that all together gives a mixture of it was okay. I like the way it's writing, putting in notes from the author whom wrote the book and how he got to the point and how another author that wrote the information was mentioned. Nicely done. Shame that already in the beginning it is said that Belvane is the evil b-witch. But in the end she was quite alright as soon as she got to be Queen I assume, or at least that's what Hyacinth said more or less.
I don't think I will read it again but it was definitely worth my time for the first time. I wouldn't mind reading more from Milne, but first need to get my hands on his books. I would say it was just a basic fairy tale story but with other inputs and the way of writing made it difficult but princess marries lover and they live happily ever after, tada done.
I must say the book was alright, it was not very interesting story wise, it was very nicely written though and putting that all together gives a mixture of it was okay. I like the way it's writing, putting in notes from the author whom wrote the book and how he got to the point and how another author that wrote the information was mentioned. Nicely done. Shame that already in the beginning it is said that Belvane is the evil b-witch. But in the end she was quite alright as soon as she got to be Queen I assume, or at least that's what Hyacinth said more or less.
I don't think I will read it again but it was definitely worth my time for the first time. I wouldn't mind reading more from Milne, but first need to get my hands on his books. I would say it was just a basic fairy tale story but with other inputs and the way of writing made it difficult but princess marries lover and they live happily ever after, tada done.
misslulabelle's review against another edition
4.0
This was a delightful read. I loved how Milne is able to create very consistent characters. While I will probably always call Pooh my favorite of Milne's (and "The Red House Mystery" my favorite adult novel of his), this was truly very fun to read.
jselliot's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very much a tongue-in-cheek contemporary (as in, original with the traditional feel) fairytale. Being from 1917, it definitely has some dated ideas and depictions, but still manages to be pretty humorous nonetheless with how it employs Fairytale LogicTM.
victoria_sponge's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
mardawn's review against another edition
I just couldn't get into the story. Maybe two childish. I didn't care for the writing style -- it required too much effort for a children's book.
asiaasiaja's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sortabadass's review against another edition
5.0
This is a delightfully whimsical fairy tale along the lines of William Goldman's The Princess Bride. However, I thought this story more humorous and better told than the later, more famous, one.
Once on a Time joins a short list of books that I've giggled my way through. When I read a portion to my partner, he laughed so hard that tears stood in his eyes. A.A. Milne was better known as a playwright before he created Winnie-the-Pooh, and this early novella paints its scenes as well as any comedy on the stage.
This would be a charming story to read to young children, and it sacrifices nothing of its innocent delight for adults.
Words Below
Vocabulary
antimacassar. (n) A piece of cloth put over the back of a chair to protect it from grease and dirt or as an ornament.
largesse. (n) Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.
wight. (n, ARCHAIC) A person of a specified kind: he was always an unlucky wight.
ween. (v, no obj.) Be of the opinion; think or suppose.
palfrey. (n) A docile horse used for ordinary riding, esp. by women.
hind. (n, ARCHAIC) A skilled farm worker, typically married and with a tied cottage. (Scottish.)
megrims. (n) Depression, low spirits. (Variant of migraine.)
Triolet. (n) A poem of eight lines, typically of eight syllables each, rhyming abaaabab and so structured that the first line recurs as the fourth and seventh and the second as the eighth.
heronry. (n) A breeding colony of herons, typically in a group of trees.
Quotes
"In a crisis it is the old love and not the greater love which wins..."
"Belvane felt as I do about poetry: that however incomprehensible it may be to the public, the author should be quite at ease with it."
"He could conceal it from himself no longer that he was not a lion. The fact depressed him."
"The looked unutterable things at her."
Once on a Time joins a short list of books that I've giggled my way through. When I read a portion to my partner, he laughed so hard that tears stood in his eyes. A.A. Milne was better known as a playwright before he created Winnie-the-Pooh, and this early novella paints its scenes as well as any comedy on the stage.
This would be a charming story to read to young children, and it sacrifices nothing of its innocent delight for adults.
Words Below
Spoiler
Vocabulary
antimacassar. (n) A piece of cloth put over the back of a chair to protect it from grease and dirt or as an ornament.
largesse. (n) Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.
wight. (n, ARCHAIC) A person of a specified kind: he was always an unlucky wight.
ween. (v, no obj.) Be of the opinion; think or suppose.
palfrey. (n) A docile horse used for ordinary riding, esp. by women.
hind. (n, ARCHAIC) A skilled farm worker, typically married and with a tied cottage. (Scottish.)
megrims. (n) Depression, low spirits. (Variant of migraine.)
Triolet. (n) A poem of eight lines, typically of eight syllables each, rhyming abaaabab and so structured that the first line recurs as the fourth and seventh and the second as the eighth.
heronry. (n) A breeding colony of herons, typically in a group of trees.
Quotes
"In a crisis it is the old love and not the greater love which wins..."
"Belvane felt as I do about poetry: that however incomprehensible it may be to the public, the author should be quite at ease with it."
"He could conceal it from himself no longer that he was not a lion. The fact depressed him."
"The looked unutterable things at her."
emsstories291107's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bklassen's review against another edition
4.0
Fluffy, light fairy tale written by A. A. Milne, also known as the creator of Winnie the Pooh. It was very short and the characters weren't too developed, but there were some times that I laughed out loud. Overall, a fun quick read.