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macierules's review against another edition
2.0
I was expecting an emotional impact from this child's story like that of Anne of Green Gables, but it never happened.
els2110's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.75
I liked this a lot. It had been mentioned at my neighborhood book club as a favorite. It was a little hard to find. My local library had it on Libby (not Kindle compatible though). It's not available in the US on Kindle or Amazon. It's been made into a movie, but that seems to be restricted to the UK as well. I went ahead and read this (with my eyes!) on the Libby app. There were some typos in this edition (tit-bits, "looks like ram" which should have been rain, wai instead of way, often instead of "of ten", wollen instead of woolen).
3rd person/Past tense, it starts right off with young Willie being placed with Mister Tom, as children have been evacuated from the cities to the country for safety. I had liked the "The War That Saved My Life" series, and this felt very similar, with a child being taken from a bad situation, and actually ending up in a better one (with an older person who you wouldn't have thought would rise to the task so well).
The countrified way of speaking was heavy, written into the text ... ent instead of "aren't" ... words like 'jest, yer, , lots of dropped first letters ('ungry, s'pose). There were a few times it was a little hard to understand. UK spelling on pyjamas, plimsoles (shoes), braces (suspenders?) and I hadn't heard of "coke" for fuel in a fire (had to look that up). "Plate of potted meat and fishpaste sandwiches" ...um ewwww! But perhaps "delumptious ... a mixture of delicious and scrumptious" *Ü* Swotting (studying). His fingers were mauve with the cold (I just haven't heard mauve being the color used as a descriptor for this before). Several "sneaked" (I just note if authors use sneaked or snuck).
I wasn't sure where the story was going. There were some really tragic/extreme things that happened (a little tough as this is shelved as a kid's book).
Some saved quotes (as I don't have them recorded in my Kindle content) ...
*I'd rather be happy and odd than miserable and ordinary.
*It's the wounds inside that will take the longest to heal.
*Keep breathin
*Everything has its own time
*How could anyone not want to live when there were so many things to live for? There were rainy nights and win and the slap of the sea and the moon. There were books to read and pictures to paint and music.
*Couldn't I sort of drape myself inconspicuously on a chair ...
*If I don't read a book soon I think I'll explode.
*I don't want to get married. Imagine having to do housework all the time ...
3rd person/Past tense, it starts right off with young Willie being placed with Mister Tom, as children have been evacuated from the cities to the country for safety. I had liked the "The War That Saved My Life" series, and this felt very similar, with a child being taken from a bad situation, and actually ending up in a better one (with an older person who you wouldn't have thought would rise to the task so well).
The countrified way of speaking was heavy, written into the text ... ent instead of "aren't" ... words like 'jest, yer, , lots of dropped first letters ('ungry, s'pose). There were a few times it was a little hard to understand. UK spelling on pyjamas, plimsoles (shoes), braces (suspenders?) and I hadn't heard of "coke" for fuel in a fire (had to look that up). "Plate of potted meat and fishpaste sandwiches" ...um ewwww! But perhaps "delumptious ... a mixture of delicious and scrumptious" *Ü* Swotting (studying). His fingers were mauve with the cold (I just haven't heard mauve being the color used as a descriptor for this before). Several "sneaked" (I just note if authors use sneaked or snuck).
I wasn't sure where the story was going. There were some really tragic/extreme things that happened (a little tough as this is shelved as a kid's book).
Some saved quotes (as I don't have them recorded in my Kindle content) ...
*I'd rather be happy and odd than miserable and ordinary.
*It's the wounds inside that will take the longest to heal.
*Keep breathin
*Everything has its own time
*How could anyone not want to live when there were so many things to live for? There were rainy nights and win and the slap of the sea and the moon. There were books to read and pictures to paint and music.
*Couldn't I sort of drape myself inconspicuously on a chair ...
*If I don't read a book soon I think I'll explode.
*I don't want to get married. Imagine having to do housework all the time ...
jowlsverne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
the_other_one_who_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
5.0
annaboc's review against another edition
5.0
'Good Night Mister Tom' was so utterly fabulous. I loved every moment of it, even when it evoked emotions I didn't know I had. William, a beautiful little child in mind and 'Mister' Tom, an old oaf who turns out to be loving and caring. The two of them fight through past memories and realities together, even though they've come from different places and different times. A tremendously beautiful novel.
[review written by me as a 12 y/o]
[review written by me as a 12 y/o]
writingbydani's review against another edition
4.0
I forgot how sad this book was toward the end; I thought once I was through the middle it'd all be cheery. Alas, I seem doomed to read only books that make me cry whilst on vacation.
wildwoila's review against another edition
5.0
Blimey, what a heart walloper! Abused boy finds family & comes to life when billeted out during WW2. Pulls no punches but so much love & support. Goes through hell; ridiculously resilient.
book_worm_emma's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0