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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation
Minor: Drug use
The book was a fun adventure story and an easy read. I rather liked the overall book but I read the original version and the racism and Eurocentric view was rough. If reading with kids I would suggest a revised version. I can see why it would it is still considered a classic but I'll stick to the movies.
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
There are classic stories. Winners of Newbery and Caldecott medals, or similar. Stories that were considered phenomenal for their time. But stories which have, through the passage of time, been revealed as extremely problematic.
"The Story of Doctor Dolittle" is just downright racist. It reeks of colonialism, with the African characters shown as exceedingly unintelligent, and generally in awe of or in love with Caucasians. One even wishes to BECOME white in order to win the love of a white woman.
While, for purposes of Intellectual Freedom, I never advocate for the removal of a book from a library, I do think that there are newer, better books available for young readers. But, should a child really hit on Doctor Dolittle, it's best that their parents be involved with the reading, to make sure that they don't internalize the portrayal of African characters.
"The Story of Doctor Dolittle" is just downright racist. It reeks of colonialism, with the African characters shown as exceedingly unintelligent, and generally in awe of or in love with Caucasians. One even wishes to BECOME white in order to win the love of a white woman.
While, for purposes of Intellectual Freedom, I never advocate for the removal of a book from a library, I do think that there are newer, better books available for young readers. But, should a child really hit on Doctor Dolittle, it's best that their parents be involved with the reading, to make sure that they don't internalize the portrayal of African characters.
I read this series 4 decades ago. I still have vivid memories of reading these books as a young girl - what I was doing while I read them, what I was thinking. They affected me deeply. I must include them in my list of all-time favorites.
I do not know if the version I read was one that had already been changed to be "PC." I don't know when that editing of the series first started. I was reading these in the 70's, so I'm going to guess I read the original version. Since I have not reread these books in 40 years, I do not know for sure how I will feel about reading the original vs. the revised versions myself or to my son now, with a 21st Century awareness. I DO know that I would like to be given the choice. This is a classic book, and I think much of the learning that needs to take place in our society is lost if we take away the opportunity to compare and contrast and learn from the way previous times and cultures dealt with issues such as the color of a person's skin.
Mark Twain's books can be inflammatory, and people have wanted to ban his books for a variety of reasons, yet we can use his classics to study and learn and grow. I believe the Doctor Dolittle books should continue to be available in the original format as well for these reasons. However, this type of study is usually undertaken by much older children than the original intended audience of the Doctor Dolittle books.
If my son is going to read these books by himself at a young and impressionable age, he needs to read a revised version rather than the original. If I am going to read it to him myself, I might prefer the original version that I revise myself and discuss with him as I am reading it to him. I absolutely don't think he should hear racially derogatory terms as a 7 year old.
I'll have to update this review after I have read the books again.
I do not know if the version I read was one that had already been changed to be "PC." I don't know when that editing of the series first started. I was reading these in the 70's, so I'm going to guess I read the original version. Since I have not reread these books in 40 years, I do not know for sure how I will feel about reading the original vs. the revised versions myself or to my son now, with a 21st Century awareness. I DO know that I would like to be given the choice. This is a classic book, and I think much of the learning that needs to take place in our society is lost if we take away the opportunity to compare and contrast and learn from the way previous times and cultures dealt with issues such as the color of a person's skin.
Mark Twain's books can be inflammatory, and people have wanted to ban his books for a variety of reasons, yet we can use his classics to study and learn and grow. I believe the Doctor Dolittle books should continue to be available in the original format as well for these reasons. However, this type of study is usually undertaken by much older children than the original intended audience of the Doctor Dolittle books.
If my son is going to read these books by himself at a young and impressionable age, he needs to read a revised version rather than the original. If I am going to read it to him myself, I might prefer the original version that I revise myself and discuss with him as I am reading it to him. I absolutely don't think he should hear racially derogatory terms as a 7 year old.
I'll have to update this review after I have read the books again.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
my favorite children book
Just not the same experience as the book that I fell in love with and blew up my imagination. Does not stand the test of time.
I had heard this book had some racist parts, but we never encountered any. In the afterward, it stated that they had decided to remove the insensitive parts of the novel so that explained it. It was a fun, simple story that my boys enjoyed.
Couldn't handle with the racist parts, although they are not rough, I was there for a cozy time.