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b_lownds127's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
I read this aloud over a rainy long weekend with my five and four year old who were content to snuggle and ask for "one more chapter" over and over again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Racism
strawbibble's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Racial slurs, Racism, Abandonment, Ableism, Child abuse, Body shaming, Classism, Colonisation, and Medical trauma
_suvi_'s review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such a lovely, hopeful, and happy book that was such a heartwarming experience in ways that are hard to describe. I had never read this book as a child and apparently there are movie adaptations too I’ve never heard about. Nevertheless the magical realism with the mystery and secrecy were really compelling combined with the vivid description of the nature. What kind of stood out from the beautifullness of the book was its age. Many instances of describing India were uncomfortable or upright terrible, which is not a surprise for a book written in England in the 1910s. Also, the book’s main character, Mary, fades into the background near the end of the book where the book starts to focus on Colin and his relationship with his self-image and his father, which is disappointing, especially since is such a strong character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Ableism, and Racism
yggie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a wholesome, lovely book. Great cast, great development. This book is one of the few I can reread every few years and it will always make me feel better.
That said, it's very much a product of its time, and the casual racism at the beginning is definitely not ok.
That said, it's very much a product of its time, and the casual racism at the beginning is definitely not ok.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Alcoholism, Classism, Racial slurs, Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Grief
sanjana_the_book_station's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation and Confinement
lex_r's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have always wanted to read this book as a young adult but never got the chance. I loved the movie and I can say I equally loved most of this book. I refrain from giving it five stars because of the racism and colonialism that are somewhat central the the origins of Mary, the main character. Mary is the daughter of British colonizers who live in India, unforeseen circumstances lead Mary to England which is where she learns and develops her character. I love the child playfulness and the wonder that all the children blossom into, but it is hard to ignore the blatant racism by the main characters. Compared to the the other novels that I have read this year the happy ending of this was refreshing and it was really nice to read a book geared toward children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, Colonisation, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
sir_ren's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
a story of a family healing from past events - set in the colonial period, partly in India and the rest in Yorkshire, England - the main characters have tragic beginnings - also a story of children growing up
personally would have liked it better as a child as it is the target demographic
personally would have liked it better as a child as it is the target demographic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, and Racism
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”
I am giving a very generous 4.25 stars. I did enjoy the book. It's an easy read and serves as a nice escape from everday life. I also liked how this book puts emphasis on the beauty of nature.
However, I don't belive that this is a good childrens book:
1. Constant Bodyshaming
2. Racism... like it's alot. The way Mary and all the other characters speak(/treat) about India and Indians is just horrible.
3. Ableism
4. Collin's dad really failed as a father? I mean there are no consequences for him whatsoever
5. There is one part in the book where Collins says that it's the fault of the women that her husband hits her.
This book is more for young adults, who want to feel nostalgic or like dark academia/ cottagecore. I feel like this book could be edited (of course without changing the storyline) to be less racist ?
I am giving a very generous 4.25 stars. I did enjoy the book. It's an easy read and serves as a nice escape from everday life. I also liked how this book puts emphasis on the beauty of nature.
However, I don't belive that this is a good childrens book:
1. Constant Bodyshaming
2. Racism... like it's alot. The way Mary and all the other characters speak(/treat) about India and Indians is just horrible.
3. Ableism
4. Collin's dad really failed as a father? I mean there are no consequences for him whatsoever
5. There is one part in the book where Collins says that it's the fault of the women that her husband hits her.
This book is more for young adults, who want to feel nostalgic or like dark academia/ cottagecore. I feel like this book could be edited (of course without changing the storyline) to be less racist ?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexism
pelledorso's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racial slurs, Ableism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Death and Racism
Minor: Child death, Fatphobia, and Colonisation
oanac's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
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