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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Such a cute book! I loved the movie as a kid, so I was not expecting the ending! I will say it is quite dated, BUT it is still such a sweet and emotional story.
This was fun and cute. Sara was truly a princess. She always cared about others. And what she did for Anne at the end of the book was so cute to me.
I can't remember the first time I read this book, but I can remember I was very young when I first opened it and emerged myself in little Sarah's tale. It is beautiful and will forever be timeless. Riches to rags and then back to riches again, but definitely an example of how we have a choice in how to deal with our misfortunes. And how books - and the love for learning - can help us overcome everything.
2 1/2 stars
I wish that I liked this book more than I did. The 1995 film is one of my favourites from my childhood and was expecting the book to be similar. There are several changes from the book and it seems like every change the film made is one for the better.
Other reviews have talked about the classism and racism present in the book. That were definitely a bit alarming when reading but just had to take into account the time the book was written. What I found to be most disconcerting was the character of Sara herself, and what the concept of Princess meant.
In the film, Sara is naturally kind-hearted and generous, her philosophy embodied by the film quote "I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags. Even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses. All of us.". In the book, it felt like Sara didn't actually like anyone so much as tolerated them. She put on a friendly demeanour only because she was taught that is how one is supposed to behave to be a princess. There wasn't anything natural about her actions, and her treatment of others came more from cold calculation than kindness. Pretty much every character except Sara or her dad is described (0ften by Sara) as ugly, stupid, or both.
The book ended up being the antithesis of the film quote above. Only Sara is a princess. She's even urged to think that way by her new guardian. Maybe my perspective is skewed by my mood at the time of reading, but I ultimately found this cold and disappointing. I'll just stick to watching the film
I wish that I liked this book more than I did. The 1995 film is one of my favourites from my childhood and was expecting the book to be similar. There are several changes from the book and it seems like every change the film made is one for the better.
Other reviews have talked about the classism and racism present in the book. That were definitely a bit alarming when reading but just had to take into account the time the book was written. What I found to be most disconcerting was the character of Sara herself, and what the concept of Princess meant.
In the film, Sara is naturally kind-hearted and generous, her philosophy embodied by the film quote "I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags. Even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses. All of us.". In the book, it felt like Sara didn't actually like anyone so much as tolerated them. She put on a friendly demeanour only because she was taught that is how one is supposed to behave to be a princess. There wasn't anything natural about her actions, and her treatment of others came more from cold calculation than kindness. Pretty much every character except Sara or her dad is described (0ften by Sara) as ugly, stupid, or both.
The book ended up being the antithesis of the film quote above. Only Sara is a princess. She's even urged to think that way by her new guardian. Maybe my perspective is skewed by my mood at the time of reading, but I ultimately found this cold and disappointing. I'll just stick to watching the film
Perhaps my favorite book. I read it for the first time as a child, and I re-read it every year or two. It's like revisiting an old friend. Sara is a dear, her father is wonderful, Miss Minchin is deliciously despicable, and the whole thing makes you feel like you're in a dark, grey London of yesteryear. There's a lot of wisdom to be gleaned, and I find something new with each read.
5 Stars
I know the pacing is off, but the nostalgia makes it so good to me <3
I know the pacing is off, but the nostalgia makes it so good to me <3
I'm sure I read this as a child. Now I've re-read it and can count it on Goodreads.
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes