Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Parts of this I really enjoyed. And other parts I found rather boring. A very middling book.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very charming tale that with its rapturous descriptions of nature completely transports you to the shining riverbank and the cozy hearths of Rat, Mole, Badger and Toad.
While the language was beautiful and the characters likeable (except for Toad), the plot meandered like the river this way and that without much sense of direction. There wasn't a theme or overarching plot or some other throughline to tie the chapters together into a logical whole. It's mostly just the random comings and goings around the riverside and then it ended rather suddenly.
Still, the poetic language and cozy vibe made it a worthwhile read, except for the Toad chapters. Really, he was such a toxic friend and frankly a danger to his surroundings. Kids shouldnt be taught to tolerate and continually forgive behaviour like that! Horrid creature.
While the language was beautiful and the characters likeable (except for Toad), the plot meandered like the river this way and that without much sense of direction. There wasn't a theme or overarching plot or some other throughline to tie the chapters together into a logical whole. It's mostly just the random comings and goings around the riverside and then it ended rather suddenly.
Still, the poetic language and cozy vibe made it a worthwhile read, except for the Toad chapters. Really, he was such a toxic friend and frankly a danger to his surroundings. Kids shouldnt be taught to tolerate and continually forgive behaviour like that! Horrid creature.
slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is often beautifully written. You can tell the author adores nature and he’s a gifted writer in the way in which he allows many of the characters to experience it. With that being said, for being such a slight book it felt like a bit of a slog. It wasn’t a compelling read for me at all.
And the novel spends far too much time with the insufferable Toad character. I get that it’s supposed to be whimsical, and the four friends are meant to be archetypes of people in the world, but the character is such an arrogant blowhard it’s hard to believe that Bader, Mole, and Water Rat would continue not only to be his friend, but to constantly bail him out of his many scrapes. There’s loyalty and accepting your friends, faults and all, but then there’s Toad. And he brings almost nothing to the friendship.
This was good. I was hoping for better.
And the novel spends far too much time with the insufferable Toad character. I get that it’s supposed to be whimsical, and the four friends are meant to be archetypes of people in the world, but the character is such an arrogant blowhard it’s hard to believe that Bader, Mole, and Water Rat would continue not only to be his friend, but to constantly bail him out of his many scrapes. There’s loyalty and accepting your friends, faults and all, but then there’s Toad. And he brings almost nothing to the friendship.
This was good. I was hoping for better.