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thebookboy 's review for:
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
The Wind in the Willows has always been one of my childhood favourites, so I thought I'd start May by treating myself to a reread as it's probably been around 20 years since I last paid a visit to Ratty, Mole, Toad and Badger and the beautiful English landscape they call home.
It's definitely just how I remember in many regards - idyllic boat trips, lots of larking about, colourful characters and a great deal of delicious food descriptions. It is, really, a quintessential springtime read despite the winter chapters, and it definitely is a good companion to the season.
However, much like most children's classics there are some really strange bits which I had forgotten all about. Ratty and Mole casually following the music of Pan through the forest, a very long and somewhat dull chapter involving a sea rat and Toad bargaining with a gypsy for some stew were all details I'd long forgotten, and I think that probably says something about them as parts of the narrative.
Regardless of these oddities, it's a charming book - well written, sweet and very amusing. Parts of it hasn't aged particularly well (there's a fair amount of disparaging jabs at women) but they aren't enough to detract from what is a truly great little tale which has stood the test of time for good reason.
4.5/ 5 stars.
It's definitely just how I remember in many regards - idyllic boat trips, lots of larking about, colourful characters and a great deal of delicious food descriptions. It is, really, a quintessential springtime read despite the winter chapters, and it definitely is a good companion to the season.
However, much like most children's classics there are some really strange bits which I had forgotten all about. Ratty and Mole casually following the music of Pan through the forest, a very long and somewhat dull chapter involving a sea rat and Toad bargaining with a gypsy for some stew were all details I'd long forgotten, and I think that probably says something about them as parts of the narrative.
Regardless of these oddities, it's a charming book - well written, sweet and very amusing. Parts of it hasn't aged particularly well (there's a fair amount of disparaging jabs at women) but they aren't enough to detract from what is a truly great little tale which has stood the test of time for good reason.
4.5/ 5 stars.