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dotorsojak 's review for:
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Today (7 Aug 2021) I finished this classic of children’s lit, though it doesn’t seem much like a book for children. I’m almost 66 and had never read it. I had an unreasoning prejudice against it in my youth because “I don’t like children’s books featuring animals.” Have gotten over that, mostly, though I still find fantasy as a genre a bit tiresome. The book is more of an adult’s fantasy of the free and open life of “messing about in boats” and appreciating spring and summer on the Thames river. As lots of other reviewers have noted, there’s a dispiriting class element, and there are virtually no female characters. On the other hand, the celebrations of spring time and animals and the river are unparalleled. The first half is a joy to read. As the book became more about Toad in the later chapters I felt my interest waning. I like hearing of the adventures of Rat and Mole and Badger and prefer those to Toad, who is set up as the target of satire and perhaps also as the exemplar of the kind of person NOT to be. Lots of mentions of food and picnics and such. Here is a fun English meal: “It was a simple but sustaining meal—bacon and broad beans, and a macaroni pudding…” Overall a very fun read and highly recommended.