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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Noel Streatfeild is already subverting her own genre of books about kids who are precociously passionate about a career in the arts. The main character here is the untalented middle child in a family of accomplished arts kids. When the Winter family is invited to stay with a relative in sunny California to treat their dad's depression, ballerina Rachel and musical prodigy Tim waste no time in finding lessons and gigs in their new location. Meanwhile Jane has no such talent. However, it is she who is 'discovered' by a movie producer while attempting to gain his business for her dog-walking business. Jane's parents reluctantly allow her to perform in a movie even though they think she will hate it, and she does.
This is the only 'Shoes' book to my knowledge that portrays a particular artistic endeavor as an irritating grind, instead of as a magical experience. It's therefore one of the least satisfying and fun to read. It has its moments, but it's not one I can see myself reading over and over.
In the end, there's a very Streatfeildian lesson about doing things for the right reasons: Jane isn't passionate about movies, she just wants to stick it to her siblings, so of course she doesn't enjoy it; she gets into the 'flow' state only when doing what she loves, which is working with animals. I appreciate that Jane is an example of someone whose passion is not artistic, but is still treated with respect. (A key moment: when asked if he's proud of his sister for acting in a movie, Tim says, "I would be more proud of her if she were going to walk fifty dogs, as she said she wanted to.") I like the lesson that it doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something that you care about and that you love. However, I do wonder when we're all supposed to find these great driving life goals. When do we get to try new things? Jane's her entire family has written off her acting career before it begins. They all think if she was going to be an actress, she'd know by now. She is ten!
Lingering Questions: What's the deal with Peaseblossom? I initially thought that the description of the mother's friend coming to live with the family was a euphemism for lesbians, but then it turned out the dad was around, too. Are they a polyamorous triad? If not, why would she consent to become the unpaid housekeeper for her friend's family? Why is she the one whose catchphrase is "Up the Winters!" whenever anyone in the family does something good, when she herself is not a Winter? It just seems sad.
What are movie shoes?! (I know, I know; the 'shoes' title was forced on later, to make all the books into a series. "The Painted Garden" was a better title, describing the set of the "Secret Garden" movie. There are no shoes in the book.)
This is the only 'Shoes' book to my knowledge that portrays a particular artistic endeavor as an irritating grind, instead of as a magical experience. It's therefore one of the least satisfying and fun to read. It has its moments, but it's not one I can see myself reading over and over.
In the end, there's a very Streatfeildian lesson about doing things for the right reasons: Jane isn't passionate about movies, she just wants to stick it to her siblings, so of course she doesn't enjoy it; she gets into the 'flow' state only when doing what she loves, which is working with animals. I appreciate that Jane is an example of someone whose passion is not artistic, but is still treated with respect. (A key moment: when asked if he's proud of his sister for acting in a movie, Tim says, "I would be more proud of her if she were going to walk fifty dogs, as she said she wanted to.") I like the lesson that it doesn't matter what you do as long as you do something that you care about and that you love. However, I do wonder when we're all supposed to find these great driving life goals. When do we get to try new things? Jane's her entire family has written off her acting career before it begins. They all think if she was going to be an actress, she'd know by now. She is ten!
Lingering Questions: What's the deal with Peaseblossom? I initially thought that the description of the mother's friend coming to live with the family was a euphemism for lesbians, but then it turned out the dad was around, too. Are they a polyamorous triad? If not, why would she consent to become the unpaid housekeeper for her friend's family? Why is she the one whose catchphrase is "Up the Winters!" whenever anyone in the family does something good, when she herself is not a Winter? It just seems sad.
What are movie shoes?! (I know, I know; the 'shoes' title was forced on later, to make all the books into a series. "The Painted Garden" was a better title, describing the set of the "Secret Garden" movie. There are no shoes in the book.)
An interesting children’s book. The three children all have their moments of unlikability and acting spoilt or jealous and that makes the trip to california really quite interesting to read about.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
I would have loved this if I'd read it when I was the right age! They're all such real children, even if they are pretty talented
Speaking of white privilege...
.
We just finished this. The Winter family are complete brats, even the adults!
.
In the beginning it's about their dad's depression after he accidentally killed a child but he is instantly cured with ten minutes of sunshine. They go to stay with their aunt Cora in California and Rachel moans about her lack of access to ballet lessons and Tim is appalled that his aunt doesn't own a piano. I mean seriously, what kind of person doesn't own a piano! Then there's Jane who is The Plain One and thus useless. Streatfield's obsession with the attractiveness of the children is weird.
.
Jane goes to yell at a strange man for not looking after his dog properly, as you do, and he employs her to play Mary in a movie adaptation of The Secret Garden. The entire family is astounded because she's The Plain One and thus can't do anything! I think Jane's story is supposed to mirror that of Mary but she doesn't really improve enough.
.
Their mother also has a weird friend called Peaseblossom who basically raises her children for her. She says "Up the Winter's" a lot and I presume her and the mum are having a secret lesbian romance.
.
In America we meet a bunch of wealthy white people, a few black people who are obviously servants and the most offensively stereotyped, Catholic, Italian couple of all time!
.
If you want to read a book where all the main characters need a slap then this is the book for you!
.
We just finished this. The Winter family are complete brats, even the adults!
.
In the beginning it's about their dad's depression after he accidentally killed a child but he is instantly cured with ten minutes of sunshine. They go to stay with their aunt Cora in California and Rachel moans about her lack of access to ballet lessons and Tim is appalled that his aunt doesn't own a piano. I mean seriously, what kind of person doesn't own a piano! Then there's Jane who is The Plain One and thus useless. Streatfield's obsession with the attractiveness of the children is weird.
.
Jane goes to yell at a strange man for not looking after his dog properly, as you do, and he employs her to play Mary in a movie adaptation of The Secret Garden. The entire family is astounded because she's The Plain One and thus can't do anything! I think Jane's story is supposed to mirror that of Mary but she doesn't really improve enough.
.
Their mother also has a weird friend called Peaseblossom who basically raises her children for her. She says "Up the Winter's" a lot and I presume her and the mum are having a secret lesbian romance.
.
In America we meet a bunch of wealthy white people, a few black people who are obviously servants and the most offensively stereotyped, Catholic, Italian couple of all time!
.
If you want to read a book where all the main characters need a slap then this is the book for you!
I have always loved Noel Streatfeild's books and as a child I got my library to ILL them for me or hunted through second hand book stores to find all of them. She tells the perfect "girls stories". I was always able to find one character in each book that was my favorite. They definitely stand up to re-reads.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn't know this existed! Much better than [b:Curtain Up|1278425|Curtain Up|Noel Streatfeild|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327375363l/1278425._SY75_.jpg|1391500] - less samey.
I liked Jane, the girl who was in the movie. This is my second (and last) Streatfeild. I'm just not enthused enough about the writing. I am too old to get these books, I think. There's not enough time anymore. I wish I liked 'em better, but they strike me as sweet and stale as day old cakes.
I have always loved Noel Streatfeild's books and as a child I got my library to ILL them for me or hunted through second hand book stores to find all of them. She tells the perfect "girls stories". I was always able to find one character in each book that was my favorite. They definitely stand up to re-reads.
I definitely have a Streatfeild addiction. Okay, maybe it’s more like nostalgic love. I like Movie Shoes because the plot gets varied a bit and because it contains what I choose to interpret as a veiled jab at the butchering of stories in movie adaptations. [Nov. 2008]