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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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:
No
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I never read this book before, but due to a challenge I had to read this one. I can say that I did not enjoy it.
From all the praise and all the love I expected a wonderful, glorious and beautiful read. Instead we got whining pigs, spiders (eww, nope), rats without any sense of kindness, some strange girl who can talk with animals.
And yes, Wilbur was a whiny little piece of bacon. Dear lord, that pig whined about everything. Couldn't do anything without the help or direction of others. I had hoped that as Wilbur grew, that he would become more wise, more independent, but no, even after all those years he is a whiny, attention-demanding pig. It just got old very quickly. I liked him better when he was still a little big and not talking (or should I say whining) so much.
Sorry to all, but I didn't like Charlotte. She had a great personality, but I hate spiders. A lot. Even a kind spider does not undo all of my dislike/hate for spiders.
But I was happy what she did for Wilbur (even though he didn't really deserve it). The whole webs with messages was a nice touch.
Templeton was the worst character in this book. I disliked him instantly, I knew he was up to no good. In the end, if it was parts with only him, I skipped those parts. I didn't want to ruin the book for myself any further.
Fern, I must say I loved her the most, well up to the end. Though it is never explained why she, as the only one, could hear the animals. I would have rather had some explanation on why she could talk. And now don't come with the silly things like: She is a kid. I don't take that as an explanation.
However, the ending ruined Fern's character for me. I won't spoil anything, but let's just say I didn't like what happened there. It was too abrupt, too strange.
I heard that people cried while reading this book. I got to the event that I guess people would have been crying over, but sorry, no tears from me. It was quite anticlimactic. I was like: Wait? This is it? This is what all the fuss is about????????
All in all, I am glad I have this book finished and that it wasn't that long. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
From all the praise and all the love I expected a wonderful, glorious and beautiful read. Instead we got whining pigs, spiders (eww, nope), rats without any sense of kindness, some strange girl who can talk with animals.
And yes, Wilbur was a whiny little piece of bacon. Dear lord, that pig whined about everything. Couldn't do anything without the help or direction of others. I had hoped that as Wilbur grew, that he would become more wise, more independent, but no, even after all those years he is a whiny, attention-demanding pig. It just got old very quickly. I liked him better when he was still a little big and not talking (or should I say whining) so much.
Sorry to all, but I didn't like Charlotte. She had a great personality, but I hate spiders. A lot. Even a kind spider does not undo all of my dislike/hate for spiders.
But I was happy what she did for Wilbur (even though he didn't really deserve it). The whole webs with messages was a nice touch.
Templeton was the worst character in this book. I disliked him instantly, I knew he was up to no good. In the end, if it was parts with only him, I skipped those parts. I didn't want to ruin the book for myself any further.
Fern, I must say I loved her the most, well up to the end. Though it is never explained why she, as the only one, could hear the animals. I would have rather had some explanation on why she could talk. And now don't come with the silly things like: She is a kid. I don't take that as an explanation.
However, the ending ruined Fern's character for me. I won't spoil anything, but let's just say I didn't like what happened there. It was too abrupt, too strange.
I heard that people cried while reading this book. I got to the event that I guess people would have been crying over, but sorry, no tears from me. It was quite anticlimactic. I was like: Wait? This is it? This is what all the fuss is about????????
All in all, I am glad I have this book finished and that it wasn't that long. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sad
fast-paced
Charlotte’s Web is widely regarded as a timeless classic in children’s literature, praised for its themes of friendship, sacrifice, loyalty, and the inevitable cycle of life. E.B. White certainly intended to teach young readers that life isn’t always fair and that all living things—no matter how small—have value.
While I acknowledge the importance of these lessons and appreciate the gentle way they’re introduced to children, I found myself unmoved revisiting this book as an adult. Despite its reputation, the emotional resonance just didn’t land for me this time around. I’ve reread many classic children’s books and found them rich with nostalgia and layered meaning, but Charlotte’s Web gave me more of a sense of forgetfulness than fondness.
The story’s pacing is slow, and while Charlotte’s sacrifice is noble, it lacks the emotional depth that might truly stir older readers. I also wonder if children will grasp the more subtle messages on a first read—or if those lessons might fly by without deeper reflection.
Ultimately, Charlotte’s Web remains a sweet and gentle story, ideal for its intended audience. But as an adult revisiting it, it didn’t evoke the lasting magic or emotional pull I’d hoped for. A classic, yes—but not one that personally stood the test of time for me.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
I remember reading Charlotte's Web when I was a child and later watching the movie. This is by far, one of my favorite childhood books. The difference about reading it then, and reading it now, was that I was able to experience the journey of this story while reading it with my 9 yr old daughter.
We finished the book last night. For years I've been reading books TO her but this was the first time we ever buddy read. She had her copy, and I had mine. She would read on her down time in school and I would read during lunch at work. Come pick up time, she would run out of school eager to jump into the car and discuss our days' read.
There were days when she would be super excited to discuss what she read, like when the geese had her goslings or whenever Charlotte wrote a new message. Then there were days where she came to my car wearing a frown because Charlotte was tired and didn't want to do much.
Last night we decided to read the last two chapters together before bed and it was such an emotional read..... for the first time ever, as she read Wilbur's goodbye to Charlotte, my daughter turned to me with tears down her cheeks because of her read. She stopped and asked me to take over because it was just too sad for her to read. As I finished the last few pages Wilbur made some new friends and in the end my daughter closed her book with a smile on her face.
Such an amazing experience reading this WITH her.
Her question when we were done....
"So, what are we reading next?"
We finished the book last night. For years I've been reading books TO her but this was the first time we ever buddy read. She had her copy, and I had mine. She would read on her down time in school and I would read during lunch at work. Come pick up time, she would run out of school eager to jump into the car and discuss our days' read.
There were days when she would be super excited to discuss what she read, like when the geese had her goslings or whenever Charlotte wrote a new message. Then there were days where she came to my car wearing a frown because Charlotte was tired and didn't want to do much.
Last night we decided to read the last two chapters together before bed and it was such an emotional read..... for the first time ever, as she read Wilbur's goodbye to Charlotte, my daughter turned to me with tears down her cheeks because of her read. She stopped and asked me to take over because it was just too sad for her to read. As I finished the last few pages Wilbur made some new friends and in the end my daughter closed her book with a smile on her face.
Such an amazing experience reading this WITH her.
Her question when we were done....
"So, what are we reading next?"
reflective
sad
slow-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