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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This one needed some time to grow on me, but quite enjoyed it, especially the chapter relating Water Rat's longings and Sea Rat's adventures.
Love this:
"Indeed, much that he related belonged more properly to the category of what-might-have-happened-had-I-only-thought-of-it-in-time-instead-of-ten-minutes-afterwards. Those are always the best and the raciest adventures; and why should they not be truly ours, as much as the somewhat inadequate things that really come off?"
Love this:
"Indeed, much that he related belonged more properly to the category of what-might-have-happened-had-I-only-thought-of-it-in-time-instead-of-ten-minutes-afterwards. Those are always the best and the raciest adventures; and why should they not be truly ours, as much as the somewhat inadequate things that really come off?"
Heartwarming and enjoyable-I love how considerate and compassionate everyone is and how they unfailingly treat each other with understanding and kindness- except Toad ;)
Kenneth Grahame's prose is more complex not only than any children's book written today, but most books written for adults as well. I loved rereading this (first time since I was teenager) and suspect that Tolkein was inspired heavily by Grahame's Mole when he described hobbits. I also suspect that Richard Adams might have been a bit miffed by Grahame's depiction of rabbits!
Michael Hague's illustrations are gorgeous and full of funny details.
Michael Hague's illustrations are gorgeous and full of funny details.
This time I listened to the audiobook on Libby just to have the experience. This is one of the most adorable stories. The Mole, the Water Rat, Mr. Badger, and Mr. Toad just live their cute little animal lives with their cute little animal friends. Mr. Toad is a rich maniac who obsesses over and then quickly loses interest in hobbies driving his friends crazy, and getting himself into trouble.
I do have eternal questions though like: Since this world is also inhabited with people and Toad can drive people cars then... are the animals huge? Are the people small? Either one makes me uncomfortable. If after being arrested why can't the police go to his well established home to arrest him again if they were looking for him? Also... Do all the animals talk? Because they are often feasting upon ham, tongue, pheasants, chickens, rabbits... are they eating other sentient critters?
Eternal questions.
I do have eternal questions though like: Since this world is also inhabited with people and Toad can drive people cars then... are the animals huge? Are the people small? Either one makes me uncomfortable. If after being arrested why can't the police go to his well established home to arrest him again if they were looking for him? Also... Do all the animals talk? Because they are often feasting upon ham, tongue, pheasants, chickens, rabbits... are they eating other sentient critters?
Eternal questions.
I imagine it was great for its time. I never read it as a child. As an adult, it’s a fine little book, but I felt myself longing for more detailed world-building. A child may not consider that though and the story itself is nice and simple.
I know this book is beloved by many. I had trouble wrapping my brain around the anthropomorphism; e.g. who crafts the water-rat sized pistols? How can Toad part his hair with a comb?
Aside from that, the book is quite uneven. The chapter with the Piper/Pan encounter seemed quite out of place. And when the Toad escapade gets going, I felt I was reading a Jeeves and Bertie Wooster book.
Aside from that, the book is quite uneven. The chapter with the Piper/Pan encounter seemed quite out of place. And when the Toad escapade gets going, I felt I was reading a Jeeves and Bertie Wooster book.