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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This is probably my first ever book to be completed as an audio.
Somewhere in the middle of the chapter where Mole and Water Rat meets Pan the God, I think I kinda lost focus and zoned out for the most part. Then as I came to, I really had no desire at all to return and listen to what just happened. I believe that was my mind telling me I was not enjoying this book.
Some characters are likeable, like Mole and Water Rat. The others, Toad in particular, I have no interest in at all.
I know this is supposed to be a silly and whimsical and fun children’s book, but I don’t think I would have loved this as a kid as well. There is actually no plot, just vibes. And the vibes are pretty bizarre to be honest, with these animals eating chicken and having the same size and all that.
Maybe it’s the audio version, maybe I’m not cut for listening, maybe the story itself is far from being compelling. I dont know. All I conclude is that The Wind in the Willows is not for me.
Somewhere in the middle of the chapter where Mole and Water Rat meets Pan the God, I think I kinda lost focus and zoned out for the most part. Then as I came to, I really had no desire at all to return and listen to what just happened. I believe that was my mind telling me I was not enjoying this book.
Some characters are likeable, like Mole and Water Rat. The others, Toad in particular, I have no interest in at all.
I know this is supposed to be a silly and whimsical and fun children’s book, but I don’t think I would have loved this as a kid as well. There is actually no plot, just vibes. And the vibes are pretty bizarre to be honest, with these animals eating chicken and having the same size and all that.
Maybe it’s the audio version, maybe I’m not cut for listening, maybe the story itself is far from being compelling. I dont know. All I conclude is that The Wind in the Willows is not for me.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book.
In the beginning, it was a nice children's story, with animals getting up to shenanigans. In the ending, it was a criminal breaking out of prison, his friends hiding him and all of them storming a house guarded by heavily-armed ruffians? The different tones clashed harshly, and I was left wondering who this book was even for and whether it was not two books mashed together.
In the beginning, it was a nice children's story, with animals getting up to shenanigans. In the ending, it was a criminal breaking out of prison, his friends hiding him and all of them storming a house guarded by heavily-armed ruffians? The different tones clashed harshly, and I was left wondering who this book was even for and whether it was not two books mashed together.
It’s often noted that Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows began as a bedtime story for his son but in the writing became so much more complex. It was never marketed as children’s literature upon first publication. But I did first read it as a child myself then read it later to my own young children.
This time I re-read the story sometimes through the lens of children’s literature, sometimes social commentary, gay manifesto, nature allegory, or pagan cult of Pan mythology. I agreed & disagreed with all of these contexts at certain times. But two things I do know. One: Grahame’s writing flows in beautifully archaic ways like the quiet, sun dappled poetry of a song-dream. It’s magical when read aloud. Two: there is the story that the writer writes and there is the story the reader reads. They’re not always the same story. We may never know Grahame’s private subtext and inner musings for this story, but it’s always a fine day for getting lost in translation or lost in the wild woods for that matter.
The typical mysoginy & classism of Edwardian England throughout the book was as tiresome as it ever is.
But this edition illustrated by Robert Ingpen was a gorgeous indulgence, a tactile & visual treasure of a book.
This time I re-read the story sometimes through the lens of children’s literature, sometimes social commentary, gay manifesto, nature allegory, or pagan cult of Pan mythology. I agreed & disagreed with all of these contexts at certain times. But two things I do know. One: Grahame’s writing flows in beautifully archaic ways like the quiet, sun dappled poetry of a song-dream. It’s magical when read aloud. Two: there is the story that the writer writes and there is the story the reader reads. They’re not always the same story. We may never know Grahame’s private subtext and inner musings for this story, but it’s always a fine day for getting lost in translation or lost in the wild woods for that matter.
The typical mysoginy & classism of Edwardian England throughout the book was as tiresome as it ever is.
But this edition illustrated by Robert Ingpen was a gorgeous indulgence, a tactile & visual treasure of a book.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love this book; it is one of my old-fashioned comfort reads. Every time I pick it up it reminds me of the most important things in life: loyalty, companionship, forgiveness, simple pleasures.
The world would be a lesser place had Mr. Graham not penned this story.
The world would be a lesser place had Mr. Graham not penned this story.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Wind in the Willows is one of those books I managed not to read until I was in my 60s. Part of it is that I don't really care for talking animal tales/beast fables. I'm not sure why they annoy me so, but for the most part, they do.
I've had this Audible version for a while now. I think it may have been a freebie, because it's a "soundtrack" version. What that means in this context is that there are little noises in the background that underline what's happening in the text (e.g., He mounted the horse ::sound of horse neigh::). That part's ok, but the other part of the "soundtrack" is what sounds like public domain classical recording excerpts. And whoever picked the musical backing picked a LOT of music that didn't match what was happening in the story, and/or made the background music SO LOUD that it really distracted from the narration.
But the narration. Oh my. Michael Hordern is just so wonderful. He really brings the story to life. So I tolerated the silly music so I could listen to him.
And the story? Well, let's stipulate at the beginning that Mr. Toad is a huge flaming asshole. I remind myself that this story was written to entertain a boy, so I guess that's what's going on. I would have happily listened to more about Rat and Mole and Badger and Otter, and less about Toad. But in the toad-less parts, there were some real moments of beauty and wonder in the writing. A couple of places brought tears to my eyes.
I'm glad I finally got this one read. Now I can go read Kij Johnson's sequel. That will be interesting!
I've had this Audible version for a while now. I think it may have been a freebie, because it's a "soundtrack" version. What that means in this context is that there are little noises in the background that underline what's happening in the text (e.g., He mounted the horse ::sound of horse neigh::). That part's ok, but the other part of the "soundtrack" is what sounds like public domain classical recording excerpts. And whoever picked the musical backing picked a LOT of music that didn't match what was happening in the story, and/or made the background music SO LOUD that it really distracted from the narration.
But the narration. Oh my. Michael Hordern is just so wonderful. He really brings the story to life. So I tolerated the silly music so I could listen to him.
And the story? Well, let's stipulate at the beginning that Mr. Toad is a huge flaming asshole. I remind myself that this story was written to entertain a boy, so I guess that's what's going on. I would have happily listened to more about Rat and Mole and Badger and Otter, and less about Toad. But in the toad-less parts, there were some real moments of beauty and wonder in the writing. A couple of places brought tears to my eyes.
I'm glad I finally got this one read. Now I can go read Kij Johnson's sequel. That will be interesting!