saguaros 's review for:

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

3.0

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This was my first time reading this classic, and I’m not sure what I was expecting but it was quite different! Both in good and bad ways. The prose/language can be quite lovely, especially in descriptions of rivers and woodlands and the little daily joys the animals of the story partake in. Most chapters can be read independently, as little vignettes, and were I to re-read this, that’s what I would do. For me, the books is at its best when the cottagecore vibes are high—when it’s just small moments of domesticity and friendship and languid days. I quite loved Mole and Rat and their friendship. The Christmas-esque chapter where they spend the night in Mole’s old home and the field mice come to sing at their door and then spend time with them was maybe my favourite. The book is at its worst when Toad is involved. As far as I’m concerned, a totally unlovable character. It’s also through his adventures that the human world is involved, and I didn’t care for that either. I’m here for the little animals wearing tweed and boating on the river and having lunch. The two supernatural-esque chapters really took me by surprise (the one with the Piper and the one with the Wayfarer).

A mixed bag, but super happy to have finally read it. And in love with some of it at least.