A review by ellie_cripps
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

1.0

I tried to read this as a child because of a burning curiosity from enjoying the film, but struggled to get into it at the time and so gave up. Coming back to it now I am glad I did. The message and moral of this story is weird at best, seriously uncomfortable at worst. Maria is encouraged constantly to act ladylike and defer to men and be self-sacrificing, all the while being told that her ancestor (who dared to stand up for herself - shocking!) was the one in the wrong when she was manipulated by her slimy husband!! Also, Loveday appears to have been engaged to a man 15 years her senior while an actual child, so really there is no victories here.
I'm glad I didn't read it as a kid, as the little charms here and there do not make up for a seriously backwards story overall. There is no way I'd let a child read this until I knew they were ready to see all its flaws.