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charlottesometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
louloureadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Loved the Green Knowe books when I was younger.
Revisiting on audio as an adult is interesting. Great narration from Simon Vance however, I really struggled with this particular book, it seemed to go on forever and I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I did the first.
I find it irritating that there's no actual synopsis of each story. The blurb just goes on about the author and the original spooky book covers. Interesting the first time you read the blurb but not exactly helpful for the gist of each story.
Revisiting on audio as an adult is interesting. Great narration from Simon Vance however, I really struggled with this particular book, it seemed to go on forever and I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I did the first.
I find it irritating that there's no actual synopsis of each story. The blurb just goes on about the author and the original spooky book covers. Interesting the first time you read the blurb but not exactly helpful for the gist of each story.
cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
Not as charming as the first book, but still pretty delightful!
rschmidt7's review against another edition
1.0
I thought the first book in the series was mildly charming. This one was boring. Maybe a child would like it as there is some wonder and ghostliness. However, overall it's a boring slog and a bit culturally outdated with its depiction of certain characters.
ego8's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
4.0
Tolly returns to Green Knowe for the Easter holidays, but his beloved companions of the 16th century -- Alexander, Toby and Linnet -- have gone. The painting of these children, now ghosts or "others", is on display as part of an exhibition, and they can't visit the house when it's not there. On top of this, Tolly's great-grandmother worries that she will have to sell the painting, because her house is in desperate need of repair. Tolly is devastated, but all is not hopeless: he sets out on a quest to find the lost treasures of late 18th century Green Knowe, and in doing so, meets other children who once loved this house.
The children Tolly learns about are Susan and Jacob: Susan is a blind girl, born in the later 18th century, and Jacob is her companion, a young Black boy, who was brought back to England by Susan's father. I was a little worried about how a book written in 1958 would handle themes of race and disability, but Boston gives a very positive portrayal, within the constraints of the language of her time, and an accurate depiction of the 18th century. She explores Susan's world -- its limitations and its possibilities -- and demonstrates Susan's need for independence and autonomy. Boston's descriptions of the beauty of Green Knowe are given depth by Susan's experience of the place. Susan's father is a sea captain, and he meets 9-year-old Jacob in Barbados, and purchases him with the intention of bringing him back to England where he can grow up to be a free man. Within this context, it's hard to know whether Jacob will ever be entirely free or have the autonomy he deserves, but Boston's depiction of him as an intelligent, quick-witted and free-spirited boy, who helps Susan to explore the countryside and become independent, is compelling and respectful, and this works as both a children's story of its time, and a timeless edition to children's literature. The most unfortunate element are the drawings, in which Jacob is very much a caricature.
Overall, The Chimneys of Green Knowe is a good example of how, if authors approach subjects with openness and respect, their work can stand the test of time, even if it has dated features. This the opposite of Elizabeth Goudge's 1964 Linnets and Valerians, which is heedless of the autonomy of Black or disabled people. This is a lovely book, which I'd recommend.
The children Tolly learns about are Susan and Jacob: Susan is a blind girl, born in the later 18th century, and Jacob is her companion, a young Black boy, who was brought back to England by Susan's father. I was a little worried about how a book written in 1958 would handle themes of race and disability, but Boston gives a very positive portrayal, within the constraints of the language of her time, and an accurate depiction of the 18th century. She explores Susan's world -- its limitations and its possibilities -- and demonstrates Susan's need for independence and autonomy. Boston's descriptions of the beauty of Green Knowe are given depth by Susan's experience of the place. Susan's father is a sea captain, and he meets 9-year-old Jacob in Barbados, and purchases him with the intention of bringing him back to England where he can grow up to be a free man. Within this context, it's hard to know whether Jacob will ever be entirely free or have the autonomy he deserves, but Boston's depiction of him as an intelligent, quick-witted and free-spirited boy, who helps Susan to explore the countryside and become independent, is compelling and respectful, and this works as both a children's story of its time, and a timeless edition to children's literature. The most unfortunate element are the drawings, in which Jacob is very much a caricature.
Overall, The Chimneys of Green Knowe is a good example of how, if authors approach subjects with openness and respect, their work can stand the test of time, even if it has dated features. This the opposite of Elizabeth Goudge's 1964 Linnets and Valerians, which is heedless of the autonomy of Black or disabled people. This is a lovely book, which I'd recommend.
mat_tobin's review
3.0
A historical and environmental conservationist whose focus is so often on a sense of place and the feeling we get in these spaces, Boston's second book, for me, is, ironically, one that may be stuck in the time in which it is written. Chimneys sees Tolly's second visit to Green Knowe riddled with a mystery involving the hunt for some missing jewels that are required to keep the site afloat due to maintenance costs.
As with The Children of Green Knowe, Tolly is enveloped in both present and past and Mrs. Oldknow is his guide, both historically and, perhaps, spiritually. Rather than the ghostly presences of Alexander, Toby and Linnet, this time, Toby's time-slip companions are Susan and Jacob. Susan, who is blind, lives at Green Knowe during the reign of George the 3rd and is cared for and supported by Jacob, a black child brought back by her father from the West Indies.
For me, I felt as if Boston's politics had changed from being a custodian of time and place to one with a more humanitarian message in wanting to challenge racial stereotypes of the time. Jacob is central to the text and, first published in 1958, would have made for a rare character: a black page in the start of the 19th century brought to life in the middle of the twentieth. He is also strong, defiant when needed to be and someone who does more good for Susan than anyone else.
What Boston does in challenging stereotypes around his character is possibly brave and important for its time but now it reads as clumsy and awkward, as does her representation of travelers who come across as part Romany and part Irish tinker.
I was also sad to see that Tolly's presence was more as a tool for supporting Mrs. Oldknow in recounting Jacob and Susan's story rather than seeing Tolly 'grow' and learn from the house.
As with The Children of Green Knowe, Tolly is enveloped in both present and past and Mrs. Oldknow is his guide, both historically and, perhaps, spiritually. Rather than the ghostly presences of Alexander, Toby and Linnet, this time, Toby's time-slip companions are Susan and Jacob. Susan, who is blind, lives at Green Knowe during the reign of George the 3rd and is cared for and supported by Jacob, a black child brought back by her father from the West Indies.
For me, I felt as if Boston's politics had changed from being a custodian of time and place to one with a more humanitarian message in wanting to challenge racial stereotypes of the time. Jacob is central to the text and, first published in 1958, would have made for a rare character: a black page in the start of the 19th century brought to life in the middle of the twentieth. He is also strong, defiant when needed to be and someone who does more good for Susan than anyone else.
What Boston does in challenging stereotypes around his character is possibly brave and important for its time but now it reads as clumsy and awkward, as does her representation of travelers who come across as part Romany and part Irish tinker.
I was also sad to see that Tolly's presence was more as a tool for supporting Mrs. Oldknow in recounting Jacob and Susan's story rather than seeing Tolly 'grow' and learn from the house.
roshk99's review against another edition
2.0
Average children's fantasy book, not very fast-paced or exciting
shetland_pone's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Colonisation, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Slavery
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death