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saroz162's review against another edition
3.0
I read a lot of E. Nesbit when I was about eight or nine years old. At the time, I never really noticed that most of her books follow a reliable - even repetitive - pattern (short story mini-adventures of siblings strung out into a novel, often with a grumpy magical creature involved), that her language and attitude is distinctly upper-class, or that they wouldn't really work outside of their own era. The children Nesbit depicts are both freed from the Victorian rules of their parents and more restricted than children of the mid-20th century, and as such, they live in a sort of golden, idyllic England that only existed for a very brief fragment of time...and possibly, only in the rose-tinted glow of fiction.
Kate Saunders' Five Children on the Western Front is both an homage and a goodbye to this twilight time. It is actually inaccurately named; it should be Six Children on the Western Front, with the addition to Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, and the Lamb of a new sibling, Edie. This time, it is Edie and the Lamb who discover the family's old acquaintance, the Psammead, who has lost all of its magic abilities and is trapped in 1914. Why - and what they do about it - is, at least, one of the major strands of the novel, although possibly the least effective.
What I expected when I requested this book from the library was a novel written for adults, one of those books like Geoff Ryman's Was that looks back on a childhood classic with a wistful, knowing, even unsettling air. And there are certainly moments of that here, especially as the story goes on. However, I was extremely surprised to discover that Saunders has actually written a children's book, with a fairly convincing impression of Nesbit's own authorial voice - and while that is often charming, and occasionally even disarming in more tragic moments, it's got its share of problems, too. The upper-class "jolly-hockey-sticks" quality so imbued in the children's language can jar in moments of pathos, and there's an odd tendency - especially in the Psammead's stories of its own past - for Saunders to show instead of tell. It's not a deal-breaker, but it does make some of the book's revelations feel a little bit inconsequential. There's a somewhat heavier book locked away in this one, and I can't help thinking it would have been just a little bit more satisfying.
That said, what Saunders has written is certainly very readable, and it is an interesting way of presenting World War I to the child audience. The Psammead itself is utilized as a sort of child reader surrogate, starting off totally solipsistic and learning, over the course of the novel, to grow and care more about the humans who are so devastated by the war's progress. (Again, some of this transition seems a little bit sudden; even the Psammead's speech patterns become more eloquent and emotive in a very short span of pages.) There are moments of both joy and horror that Saunders carries off with considerable aplomb, and one simple, heart-breaking image at the end of the story that pretty much makes the whole thing worthwhile. It is completely unsurprising to learn, in the afterword, that Saunders' own son died in 2012, and although she doesn't make the connection explicit, it's impossible not to read that as a catalyst for her fictional examination of lost childhood.
As a standalone book, I'm not entirely sure Five Children on the Western Front "works" - but it comes close. As a modern-day-hindsight sequel to Nesbit's classic, however, it has a lot of merit. It will mean the most to those who, when young, cherished the stories of Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and the Lamb, their golden age adventures of time travel and misbegotten wishes, and the little sand fairy who became their friend.
Kate Saunders' Five Children on the Western Front is both an homage and a goodbye to this twilight time. It is actually inaccurately named; it should be Six Children on the Western Front, with the addition to Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, and the Lamb of a new sibling, Edie. This time, it is Edie and the Lamb who discover the family's old acquaintance, the Psammead, who has lost all of its magic abilities and is trapped in 1914. Why - and what they do about it - is, at least, one of the major strands of the novel, although possibly the least effective.
What I expected when I requested this book from the library was a novel written for adults, one of those books like Geoff Ryman's Was that looks back on a childhood classic with a wistful, knowing, even unsettling air. And there are certainly moments of that here, especially as the story goes on. However, I was extremely surprised to discover that Saunders has actually written a children's book, with a fairly convincing impression of Nesbit's own authorial voice - and while that is often charming, and occasionally even disarming in more tragic moments, it's got its share of problems, too. The upper-class "jolly-hockey-sticks" quality so imbued in the children's language can jar in moments of pathos, and there's an odd tendency - especially in the Psammead's stories of its own past - for Saunders to show instead of tell. It's not a deal-breaker, but it does make some of the book's revelations feel a little bit inconsequential. There's a somewhat heavier book locked away in this one, and I can't help thinking it would have been just a little bit more satisfying.
That said, what Saunders has written is certainly very readable, and it is an interesting way of presenting World War I to the child audience. The Psammead itself is utilized as a sort of child reader surrogate, starting off totally solipsistic and learning, over the course of the novel, to grow and care more about the humans who are so devastated by the war's progress. (Again, some of this transition seems a little bit sudden; even the Psammead's speech patterns become more eloquent and emotive in a very short span of pages.) There are moments of both joy and horror that Saunders carries off with considerable aplomb, and one simple, heart-breaking image at the end of the story that pretty much makes the whole thing worthwhile. It is completely unsurprising to learn, in the afterword, that Saunders' own son died in 2012, and although she doesn't make the connection explicit, it's impossible not to read that as a catalyst for her fictional examination of lost childhood.
As a standalone book, I'm not entirely sure Five Children on the Western Front "works" - but it comes close. As a modern-day-hindsight sequel to Nesbit's classic, however, it has a lot of merit. It will mean the most to those who, when young, cherished the stories of Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and the Lamb, their golden age adventures of time travel and misbegotten wishes, and the little sand fairy who became their friend.
carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book a lot. It is best read if you enjoyed the [b:Five Children and It|45181|Five Children and It (Five Children, #1)|E. Nesbit|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327882197s/45181.jpg|975095] books, as this book is a continuation of the story, including the Psammead. Kate Saunders captures Nesbit's voice perfectly, whilst bringing in the sadness of World War One. A really good read which will appeal to both students and adults alike. Highly recommended.
dawnlizreads's review against another edition
4.0
I randomly came across this when I was helping out at a mobile library for homeless people - it was among the books being given away for free and, as no one else appeared to want it, I decided to pick it up.
I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have read Five Children and It (or its two sequels) to understand this book, but it probably helps as there are several allusions to events that occurred in that story.
Ultimately, this is a story about how the First World War affected everyone - regardless of how rich or poor they were - and how everyone came to realise that it wasn't the jolly adventure they initially thought it was as the fighting dragged on.
There is a subplot about the Psammead finding redemption for past misdeads that occasionally feels a bit contrived but does have moments of real poignancy.
Given the book has some serious themes, it is definitely best reserved for older children/teenagers. I think nostalgic adults (such as myself) have a lot of gain from it as well.
I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have read Five Children and It (or its two sequels) to understand this book, but it probably helps as there are several allusions to events that occurred in that story.
Ultimately, this is a story about how the First World War affected everyone - regardless of how rich or poor they were - and how everyone came to realise that it wasn't the jolly adventure they initially thought it was as the fighting dragged on.
There is a subplot about the Psammead finding redemption for past misdeads that occasionally feels a bit contrived but does have moments of real poignancy.
Given the book has some serious themes, it is definitely best reserved for older children/teenagers. I think nostalgic adults (such as myself) have a lot of gain from it as well.
alice_digest's review against another edition
3.0
This was the one I was least looking forward to reading because its historical and it's very much a traditional, old fashioned children's book (I'm too old for those now!). I actually found Saunders writing surprisingly engaging, and while this book really isn't my bag.. I wouldn't say I was bored while reading it. It is very well written and it's a nice continuation of Nesbit's classic series, with some light exploration of the effects of the War on life at home in England.
I've never read Five Children and It but I'm familiar with the story from 90s TV series, so I already had hazy memories of the Pembletons and Psammead. Saunders does make some reference to the original books but you could enjoy this without knowing anything. Time jumps forward to the First World War when the original Five children are grown, and the youngest two Lamb (who was a baby before) and Edie (not born yet) take over as the main children. The story looks at the war but also Psammead's past crimes as a God and his need to find redemption before he can get his powers back.
It's a nice little story, with some sad bits. Definitely more for the younger reader.
I've never read Five Children and It but I'm familiar with the story from 90s TV series, so I already had hazy memories of the Pembletons and Psammead. Saunders does make some reference to the original books but you could enjoy this without knowing anything. Time jumps forward to the First World War when the original Five children are grown, and the youngest two Lamb (who was a baby before) and Edie (not born yet) take over as the main children. The story looks at the war but also Psammead's past crimes as a God and his need to find redemption before he can get his powers back.
It's a nice little story, with some sad bits. Definitely more for the younger reader.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Required reading for anyone who has read "Five Children and It" - and this review I link below by Betsy is a must-read! She does an amazing job of giving a ton of backstory and explaining why this book is so good....so I don't have to ;-) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1740631926
hilaryjsc's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not crying you're crying.
I knew what this was going to be and I read it anyway. I have no one to blame but myself.
Never do the math on the ages of your favourite Edwardian children's book characters and how it relates to 1914. Just. Don't.
I knew what this was going to be and I read it anyway. I have no one to blame but myself.
Never do the math on the ages of your favourite Edwardian children's book characters and how it relates to 1914. Just. Don't.
wombat_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
badgersallthewaydown's review against another edition
5.0
This is an utterly incredible follow on from E.Nesbit's classic which makes you laugh, cry and fall in love with the world of magic that the Psammead and the children live in. Truly amazing, and a highly recommended read.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
‘In war-time the word patriotism means suppression of truth’
S. Sassoon in 'Memoirs of an Infantry Officer'
When I first saw that Kate Saunders had taken Nesbit’s classic trilogy and used the characters and place to tell her own story in commemoration of the First World War, I point-blank refused to touch it. To me, Nesbit IS the pioneer of children’s literature as we see it today. She was a brave, intelligent woman unafraid to argue her ideas in a world dominated by men and one of the few writers for children during the Victorian and Edwardian period who decided that stories for children would be fun. No lessons, no underlining moral, no didactic tone relating to what children should and should not do. She is the one who started the revolutionary change of children being encouraged to read for pleasure. She is my literary hero.
However, Mick Wiggins’ humblingly warm cover and the prospect of meeting the psammead again was too much so I picked it up. To my joy, I found that not only was Saunders a Nesbit fan and praised the influence she has had on the literature of today (she mentions that the Narnia chronicles would never had happened were it not for her work) but I also found that her writing sounded exactly like Nesbit’s: and I mean exactly! It was a surreal and uncanny experience but by the fourth page she had my heart and my trust that she was going to do something special with this story; embracing Nesbit’s style, sense of adventure and, most impressively, the characters’ voices and nature. It was as if I was back with Cyril, Anthea, Bobs, Jane and the Lamb – albeit more grown up and with a new sibling in the fray: Edie.
It is through Edie, Saunders’ addition to the Pemberton’s, that we experience much of the story. Although the Lamb also starts off young, it is Edie’s youthfulness and joy in the extraordinary that keeps the bond between fantasy and reality strong. With the other children growing up and less interested in their old friend, especially since he isn’t quite what he used to be, the exploring and adventures are left to the two youngest. But adventures with the psammead and no longer the same: there has been a change.
Something has happened to the psammead and it is for the Edie and the others to unravel the reasoning as to why he does not have the power he once wielded. The dawn of a Great War is occurring throughout Europe and such events stir unwelcome memories from the sand-fairy’s past. It is from this point in that I found that tonally, this is not a Nesbit story: it’s Saunders’ and what she does with these characters in a dark and unsettling situation is deeply clever and touching.
From Cyril’s first letter from the front, I felt a deep sense of foreboding and uncertainty for the children and their fairy friend: I felt that they and the story sat poised a knife-edge of great change. Not only in what their future held in relation to the great war but also, to an equal extent, in relation to departing the wonderful age of innocence that Nesbit had let them experience in her own trilogies.
Saunders executes her story so well. She builds cleverly on the Psammead’s own past and uses it as a parallel to trying to understand the atrocities of war that are going on around the family. She brings in love, marriage, loss and the gradual shift from innocence into experience with such tenderness that you can help feel that the story is a swan song to a past age which the reader and the children can never quite return to. It has an ending that is deeply touching and right.
I can fully say that I think Saunders handled the story well but I do implore those that read it to at least visit the original first. Share in the adventures of the children and their irascible sand-fairy in all its comedy, naivety and joy before taking a final waltz with them in this touching and memorable story.
stewg's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0