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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I absolutely adore this book so so much! Have been addicted to it sense I was 8 years old. I still remember when I got the chance to look at my library's storage full with old books and others that wasn't on the public bookshelf's and found an old book from the 30's, I think, with this novella. It's still one of the best moments of my life! :)
I read this book for nostalgia since I loved this book as a kid, however upon rereading it, I did not enjoy the story or storytelling.
The first problem is that Sara Crewe is too perfect; she’s prettier than all the other girls, she’s smarter than all the other girls, kinder, just different - she doesn’t have any real faults
She says to her supposed best friend, Ermengarde, that she can’t help being stupid- just one example of how she acts condescending to everyone else.
Moreover, this book seriously romanticises British colonialism and all the people of colour that are mentioned (such as Becky, who is black) are in a servant role and adore Sara a bit too much.
Everyone feels sorry for Sara once she becomes poor, but never Becky. The Indian Gentleman next door provides all sorts of riches to Sara who is struggling and has become a servant but never Becky, who has suffered much longer than Sara.
It was also once mentioned that back in India, Sara was served, basically hand and foot, by Indian people. The Indian Gentleman next door isn’t even Indian, he’s also another British person who lived in India and I think the fact that he has a monkey has racist implications.
Anyways, to sum up, Sara is very two-dimensional and needs to get off her high horse and if you read this book, beware of some racism.
The first problem is that Sara Crewe is too perfect; she’s prettier than all the other girls, she’s smarter than all the other girls, kinder, just different - she doesn’t have any real faults
She says to her supposed best friend, Ermengarde, that she can’t help being stupid- just one example of how she acts condescending to everyone else.
Moreover, this book seriously romanticises British colonialism and all the people of colour that are mentioned (such as Becky, who is black) are in a servant role and adore Sara a bit too much.
Everyone feels sorry for Sara once she becomes poor, but never Becky. The Indian Gentleman next door provides all sorts of riches to Sara who is struggling and has become a servant but never Becky, who has suffered much longer than Sara.
It was also once mentioned that back in India, Sara was served, basically hand and foot, by Indian people. The Indian Gentleman next door isn’t even Indian, he’s also another British person who lived in India and I think the fact that he has a monkey has racist implications.
Anyways, to sum up, Sara is very two-dimensional and needs to get off her high horse and if you read this book, beware of some racism.
I've read this book many, many times. It never disappoints.
Still love it! Some of the language feels real icky to read by modern standards tho tbh
It had a good message and I think that it is definitely a book everyone should read.
hopeful
sad
Read this many moons ago, but I'm on a bit of a Francis Hodgson Burnett re-read streak. A Little Princess is a little stuffier and more didactic than The Secret Garden, and thereby less magical. But it is warm and sweet and good, and would be a perfect bedtime read aloud.
I do have an issue with the idea that's so prevalent in books of this time that somehow goodness and nobility and outward appearances are inextricable in some way. But overall, it's a sweet story and Sara Crewe is a worthy heroine.
I do have an issue with the idea that's so prevalent in books of this time that somehow goodness and nobility and outward appearances are inextricable in some way. But overall, it's a sweet story and Sara Crewe is a worthy heroine.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
'I've noticed this. What you have to do with your mind, when your body is miserable, is to make it think of something else.'
Here I am, in my adult years, and this is the first time I've ever read A Little Princess. How can that even be? I spent my youth reading Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume and though there's nothing wrong in that but I wish I had discovered some of the children's classics while I was still a child. I think, perhaps, it would have made my childhood that much more magical. But I can enjoy them now and that is something.
How could I possibly not adore the story of Sara Crewe and her existence at Miss Minchin's? The characters in this book were so richly drawn, I felt I knew all of them on a personal level; even the ones I would have preferred to not have met. Wonderful, dear Becky and accepting, ignorant Ermengarde. The wonder of The Large Family and the comfort of Melchisedec in the wall, though a rather unusual choice for a pet. But, when you're lonely in a gloomy attic, it's a wonder you can befriend anything at all.
I don't believe I've come across a kinder, sweeter character than Sara and it's been my greatest pleasure to have finally met her. This one gets all the stars. Positively loved it.
'There's no difference now. I'm not a princess any more.'
-Becky ran to her and caught her hand, and hugged it to her breast, kneeling beside her and sobbing with love and pain. 'Yes, miss, you are,' she cried, and her words were all broken. 'Whats'ever 'appens to you-whats'ever-you'd be a princess all the same- an' nothin' couldn't make you nothin' different.'
Here I am, in my adult years, and this is the first time I've ever read A Little Princess. How can that even be? I spent my youth reading Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume and though there's nothing wrong in that but I wish I had discovered some of the children's classics while I was still a child. I think, perhaps, it would have made my childhood that much more magical. But I can enjoy them now and that is something.
How could I possibly not adore the story of Sara Crewe and her existence at Miss Minchin's? The characters in this book were so richly drawn, I felt I knew all of them on a personal level; even the ones I would have preferred to not have met. Wonderful, dear Becky and accepting, ignorant Ermengarde. The wonder of The Large Family and the comfort of Melchisedec in the wall, though a rather unusual choice for a pet. But, when you're lonely in a gloomy attic, it's a wonder you can befriend anything at all.
I don't believe I've come across a kinder, sweeter character than Sara and it's been my greatest pleasure to have finally met her. This one gets all the stars. Positively loved it.
'There's no difference now. I'm not a princess any more.'
-Becky ran to her and caught her hand, and hugged it to her breast, kneeling beside her and sobbing with love and pain. 'Yes, miss, you are,' she cried, and her words were all broken. 'Whats'ever 'appens to you-whats'ever-you'd be a princess all the same- an' nothin' couldn't make you nothin' different.'
My favorite classic! What a beautiful store with a profound message.