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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
A classic I can't believe I'd never read...parts of it seemed familiar, so it was probably just a really long time ago and I forgot most of it. Such a cute, sweet story...one every young girl should read!
As a child, I loved this book. As an adult, it lost some of its luster because of the ugly class distinctions. Does Becky really have to be *that* stupid? I would read it to my own child, but I can't love it as an adult.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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:
No
Actual Rating: 4.5
I feel so happy, but at the same time sad that this book has ended. This was such a sweet story and so heartbreaking. I have no words to explain how good this book was. So wonderfully good! It was like reading a fairy tale with a little princess and her damsels, and then her knight came sweeping in to rescue her beloved princess. This is one of the coziest books I have ever read, and I will pick it up again soon.
Sara is such a sweetheart, a real princess by heart. She is so mature and brave that she keeps bearing everything without a whine. She is a brave little soldier who believed that she was a princess and did not let her circumstances or cruel people change her or break her spirits. Some of the parts of the story were so heartwarming, like the one with Melchisedec. This story will always have a special place in my heart.
I loved all the characters in this story, except Miss Minchin. I loathed that stupid, vile woman.
Favorite Quotes~
'If Nature has made you for a giver, your hands are born open and so is your heart; and though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that - warm things, kind things, sweet things - help and comfort and laughter - and sometimes gay, kind laughter is the best help of all.' (pg 74-75)
'How is it that animals understand things I do not know, but it is certain that they do understand. Perhaps there is a language which is not made of words and everything in the world understands it. Perhaps there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak, without even making a sound, to another soul.' (pg 132)
'There's nothing so strong as rage, except what makes you hold it in - that's stronger.' (pg 147)
'It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it.' (pg 164)
'Perhaps, to be able to learn things quickly isn't everything. To be kind is worth a great deal to other people.' (pg 209)
'I was wondering, she said in a low voice, what my papa would say if he knew where I am tonight.' (pg 229)
I feel so happy, but at the same time sad that this book has ended. This was such a sweet story and so heartbreaking. I have no words to explain how good this book was. So wonderfully good! It was like reading a fairy tale with a little princess and her damsels, and then her knight came sweeping in to rescue her beloved princess. This is one of the coziest books I have ever read, and I will pick it up again soon.
Sara is such a sweetheart, a real princess by heart. She is so mature and brave that she keeps bearing everything without a whine. She is a brave little soldier who believed that she was a princess and did not let her circumstances or cruel people change her or break her spirits. Some of the parts of the story were so heartwarming, like the one with Melchisedec. This story will always have a special place in my heart.
I loved all the characters in this story, except Miss Minchin. I loathed that stupid, vile woman.
Favorite Quotes~
'If Nature has made you for a giver, your hands are born open and so is your heart; and though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that - warm things, kind things, sweet things - help and comfort and laughter - and sometimes gay, kind laughter is the best help of all.' (pg 74-75)
'How is it that animals understand things I do not know, but it is certain that they do understand. Perhaps there is a language which is not made of words and everything in the world understands it. Perhaps there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak, without even making a sound, to another soul.' (pg 132)
'There's nothing so strong as rage, except what makes you hold it in - that's stronger.' (pg 147)
'It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it.' (pg 164)
'Perhaps, to be able to learn things quickly isn't everything. To be kind is worth a great deal to other people.' (pg 209)
'I was wondering, she said in a low voice, what my papa would say if he knew where I am tonight.' (pg 229)
A LITTLE PRINCESS might have its faults, but I think it's beautiful - and I mean, it's a children's book. How could I write a scathing review of it?
I am a huge fan of anything that preaches kindness to anyone and everyone, so of course this was a hit for me. Sara Crewe, our little princess, goes from riches to rags - and yet still manages to be a kind, decent person whatever her circumstance is. Heck, on a day when she's starving and wet and cold and finds a coin on the side of the road, she buys four buns from a bakery (plus two extra that the storewoman gives her for free) and gives all of them but one to another girl, a beggar who Sara can see is hungrier than even she is. Sara is the child I wish I had been, the little friend I wish I'd had in the loneliest times of my life. She's a little light and I wish I'd read this book as a kid.
I also love the motif of stories and storytelling in A LITTLE PRINCESS - Sara is constantly making up little stories to tell her friends and the younger children before misfortune finds her, and it becomes her way of coping as she works and runs errands in the cold and wet of London, often on little to no food. It is an immense comfort to herself and to Becky, imagining having the luxury of a soft, warm bed, instead of the hard mattresses and threadbare blankets they do have, a roaring fireplace to warm themselves, enough food to actually fill their stomachs. Storytelling is a powerful way of reimagining one's circumstances and bringing joy back into your life (as reading has, through my whole life but especially in the past few years, for me). I can see why this is such a beloved classic.
I am a huge fan of anything that preaches kindness to anyone and everyone, so of course this was a hit for me. Sara Crewe, our little princess, goes from riches to rags - and yet still manages to be a kind, decent person whatever her circumstance is. Heck, on a day when she's starving and wet and cold and finds a coin on the side of the road, she buys four buns from a bakery (plus two extra that the storewoman gives her for free) and gives all of them but one to another girl, a beggar who Sara can see is hungrier than even she is. Sara is the child I wish I had been, the little friend I wish I'd had in the loneliest times of my life. She's a little light and I wish I'd read this book as a kid.
I also love the motif of stories and storytelling in A LITTLE PRINCESS - Sara is constantly making up little stories to tell her friends and the younger children before misfortune finds her, and it becomes her way of coping as she works and runs errands in the cold and wet of London, often on little to no food. It is an immense comfort to herself and to Becky, imagining having the luxury of a soft, warm bed, instead of the hard mattresses and threadbare blankets they do have, a roaring fireplace to warm themselves, enough food to actually fill their stomachs. Storytelling is a powerful way of reimagining one's circumstances and bringing joy back into your life (as reading has, through my whole life but especially in the past few years, for me). I can see why this is such a beloved classic.
This book is a great comfort read. I've read it a few times and it holds up well--especially since I always forget the details before my next reread. This one has a different feel compared to The Secret Garden (mostly because Sara is sweet and Mary is prickly) but enough similarities that it'll probably be a comfort read even if you didn't read it as a kid but always loved the other FHB book.
Really 3.5 stars. Kind of the anti-Mary from “The Secret Garden” and very typical story of lost inheritance ala Dickens. Who doesn’t love Sarah Crewe? She does embody the archetypal princess: kind, educated, graceful, appropriate in every occasion. I was encouraged when she stood up for herself in the end to Miss Minch (not sure about spelling, I listened to it) as it showed her backbone as well.
I can’t help but think that all of this diamond mine talk is blood diamond related. I’m trying not to be cynical but colonialism.
A timeless story and a true classic. :)
I can’t help but think that all of this diamond mine talk is blood diamond related. I’m trying not to be cynical but colonialism.
A timeless story and a true classic. :)
Beautifully written. I have always loved the movie. The book was so wonderful that I wish, now, that I had never seen the movie. I highlighted many parts and felt that it had very many good lessons sprinkled throughout. I will buy a nice hardcover edition and hope that my children read it someday.
Sara Crewe is the most adorable children character. She is a determinated young girl that doesn't think of losing her attitude even in the worst times. With that, she teaches a great human value to her school ex-mates and to the reader. I loved her personality when I was a child and the movie was one of my favourites, and I went back to that moment of my life while reading the book.
We are all princesses. Even boy should be Sara Crewe's kind of princess =)
We are all princesses. Even boy should be Sara Crewe's kind of princess =)