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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This is a must read. We will re-read every couple of years forever. A novel made up of wonderful side quests for all the main characters. Hilarious stories with many positive messages.
adventurous
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
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
There are two types of people in this world:
1) Those who like the Toad from Wind in the Willows.
2) Those who do not like the Toad from Wind in the Willows.
I hated him. The rest of the book was okay. Not terrible, but nothing special.
1) Those who like the Toad from Wind in the Willows.
2) Those who do not like the Toad from Wind in the Willows.
I hated him. The rest of the book was okay. Not terrible, but nothing special.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5
Super cute, but ultimately fluff. It reminded me of Animal Crossing in a lot of ways, and not just because of all the chatty animals. The parts without Mister Toad (well, barring that one weird part where they meet Pan) are ambling and quaint in a relaxing, folksy way.
It’s weird to think of this as a children’s book, by the way, but it also feels a little too simplistic and whimsical to eke by as a book for adults. So much has changed in the century or so since this was originally published. I can’t imagine many kids these days having the patience for the leisurely pacing or the lackadaisical Edwardian atmosphere. I know I certainly certainly would have found this dull as a kid. I enjoyed it as an adult, though. Low-stakes hangout fun with stodgy little woodland critters and really charming illustrations from Ernest H. Shepard.
Super cute, but ultimately fluff. It reminded me of Animal Crossing in a lot of ways, and not just because of all the chatty animals. The parts without Mister Toad (well, barring that one weird part where they meet Pan) are ambling and quaint in a relaxing, folksy way.
It’s weird to think of this as a children’s book, by the way, but it also feels a little too simplistic and whimsical to eke by as a book for adults. So much has changed in the century or so since this was originally published. I can’t imagine many kids these days having the patience for the leisurely pacing or the lackadaisical Edwardian atmosphere. I know I certainly certainly would have found this dull as a kid. I enjoyed it as an adult, though. Low-stakes hangout fun with stodgy little woodland critters and really charming illustrations from Ernest H. Shepard.
I picked up the audiobook because I am still mourning the 2014 death of Ralph Cosham, the narrator, and saw he read this book too (and the book was short).
That’s about the only good that came from it.
The story is a fantasy, yes, but a fantasy in which middle class anthropomorphic men are heroes who spew casual misogyny and classism, and they get to live a carefree life of whimsy nevertheless. Nostalgia is the currency, and nostalgia for a time when wealthy men were unchallenged in the British countryside.
Whimsical indeed!
That’s about the only good that came from it.
The story is a fantasy, yes, but a fantasy in which middle class anthropomorphic men are heroes who spew casual misogyny and classism, and they get to live a carefree life of whimsy nevertheless. Nostalgia is the currency, and nostalgia for a time when wealthy men were unchallenged in the British countryside.
Whimsical indeed!
adventurous
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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wanted to love this book as I've heard the stories of these characters over the years and loved them. But I just don't get the hype of this classic. There's double the amount of words used for each story, and though the structure is good with character development there's a lot missing. How do the animals speak to humans? How do they become friends? How old are they and what/who do they represent in society? Also, Mr Toad is a terrible character, is he meant to teach a lesson to children?!