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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Including a character called Charles Dickens when redoing a story a lot like his is gutsy but it works so well! Lives lived here can be hard but there is fun around the corner, so too scary...
Love, love, love the second book in Matt Haig’s sort of FatherChristmas. While classified as middle-grades, it is a delightful seasonal read for anyone who still believes in magic, trolls, elves, pixies, bad guys, and the healing currency of chocolate. I encourage you to suspend your hectic day-to-day humdrum and escape into the incredible world of Elfhelm. Best served with hot chocolate and gingerbread
Cateodata, poate chiar mai des decat credem, sa crezi in magie si in bine ajuta. Povestea este continuarea cartii "Un băiat numit Crăciun ", iar aici o intalnim pe Amelia, o fetita extrem de trista si singura. Dar, stai, nu e singura. Amelia ii are aproape pe Capitanul Funingine, pe Charles Dickens, pe Mary si pe......Mos Craciun!!! Mai intalnim spiridusi rautaciosi, troli tampi si elfi simpatici.
Another magical story from mister Haig!
Another magical story from mister Haig!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Girl Who Saved Christmas is my first Matt Haig read that was written for children and as expected it is brilliant. It's still enjoyable as an adult because Haig doesn't 'speak' to children in a patronising or unnatural way. There are mature concepts that are referenced either metaphorically or literally. The metaphorical concepts (e.g. the media not necessarily representing the whole truth) are there for the children to find but if the child isn't ready for it then the metaphor will plant a seed and will add to the story regardless. The more literal mature concepts (e.g. feminism) are explained factually, simply and without judgement but still with a feeling of importance not only to the story or character but to the reader too. The book is cleverly written.
I also loved that it doesn't rely on comedy, slapstick or ridiculous elements to entertain. It doesn't need to. The characters are not black and white goodies or baddies, the plot is generous, adventurous and emotional. I really enjoyed the historical references to Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens too.
This is a great festive light read for an adult like me who wants a little Christmas sparkle.
It's a great festive read for any child but it would be especially good for a parent and child shared read in order to pull out those interesting mature concepts of feminism, journalism, bullying, poverty and opportunity.
I also loved that it doesn't rely on comedy, slapstick or ridiculous elements to entertain. It doesn't need to. The characters are not black and white goodies or baddies, the plot is generous, adventurous and emotional. I really enjoyed the historical references to Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens too.
This is a great festive light read for an adult like me who wants a little Christmas sparkle.
It's a great festive read for any child but it would be especially good for a parent and child shared read in order to pull out those interesting mature concepts of feminism, journalism, bullying, poverty and opportunity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Girl Who Saved Christmas is quite sweet, and cleverly done in its use of two different settings. I did enjoy the Victorian aspect of its story. However, the lack of substance began to bother me after a while, and I certainly got the feeling that the plot had been too drawn out. It quickly becomes a little twee, and it didn't really hold my attention for the most part. Had I been younger, I would probably have enjoyed it more; the small nerd that I was would have rejoiced that Queen Victoria was a character inclusion, at least.
The more I read of Haig's work, the more I'm starting to suspect that he's not an author for me. A lot of people champion him and seem to find endless worth in his work, but I came away from this with several issues; the vocabulary of the Victorian characters is too modern, for instance, and that for a Christmas story, it weirdly didn't make me feel festive in the least.
The more I read of Haig's work, the more I'm starting to suspect that he's not an author for me. A lot of people champion him and seem to find endless worth in his work, but I came away from this with several issues; the vocabulary of the Victorian characters is too modern, for instance, and that for a Christmas story, it weirdly didn't make me feel festive in the least.
Love, love, love the second book in Matt Haig’s sort of FatherChristmas. While classified as middle-grades, it is a delightful seasonal read for anyone who still believes in magic, trolls, elves, pixies, bad guys, and the healing currency of chocolate. I encourage you to suspend your hectic day-to-day humdrum and escape into the incredible world of Elfhelm. Best served with hot chocolate and gingerbread
A great Christmas tale, we thoroughly enjoyed this magical adventure.