I found Squirrel Nutkin to be very annoying. I guess that's typical of some squirrels, but I wondered why the owl put up with him for so long. This woI found Squirrel Nutkin to be very annoying. I guess that's typical of some squirrels, but I wondered why the owl put up with him for so long. This would be a fun one to read aloud....more
A great sequel to The Tale of Peter Rabbit! If I read it as I child, I don't remember. Glad to have read it now.A great sequel to The Tale of Peter Rabbit! If I read it as I child, I don't remember. Glad to have read it now....more
How did I miss this when I was young? I would have loved it! It reminded me very much of The Moffats, which I read again and again as a child. I look How did I miss this when I was young? I would have loved it! It reminded me very much of The Moffats, which I read again and again as a child. I look forward to reading more of the Melendy books soon!...more
I really wanted to like this! In the beginning, I thought it would be a 5-star book for me. I thought it might turn out to be my top favorite Jane AusI really wanted to like this! In the beginning, I thought it would be a 5-star book for me. I thought it might turn out to be my top favorite Jane Austen. But somehow it just didn't turn into the book I thought it was going to be.
Things I liked: * I enjoyed all the talk of novels and reading - and would have liked even more of that. * The conversations between Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland were my favorite parts of the book. I might go back and reread just those parts sometime.
Things I didn't like: * Why is so much of the book spent in Bath? I thought I was reading Northanger Abbey, not Bath! We don't get to Northanger Abbey until well over half-way through the story. * I really didn't like Isabella and her brother. (view spoiler)[I kept trying to warn Catherine about them, but she wouldn't listen. (hide spoiler)] * The narrator kept jumping in and talking to me, even though I just wanted to get on with the story.
So in the end this turned out to be a solid 3-star book for me. Really great in some parts but a disappointment in others. Definitely worth reading, but not something I plan to revisit again and again.
Note: I listened to the Librivox recording of this by Elizabeth Klett. She does a wonderful job.
Second note: Immediately after finishing this, I watched the Masterpiece Classic version of Northanger Abbey. I think they did a great job with it, even though there were a couple of parts I was sad they glossed over. I think their pacing and emphasis on certain parts of the plot actually worked out better than the book. Well worth watching. ...more
Wow! What a story. I'm almost glad that I never read this when I was younger. I don't think I would have appreciated the magnitude of what they had toWow! What a story. I'm almost glad that I never read this when I was younger. I don't think I would have appreciated the magnitude of what they had to live through. And it meant so much more knowing that the experiences described here were based on actual events. This definitely deserves its Newbery honor, and I'm VERY glad that I finally got around to reading it! I never thought any of the other books in the series would come close to eclipsing my love for Little House in the Big Woods which I read over and over as a child, but I think this one might have done it. It's a story that makes you cold, but also very grateful for the blessings you take for granted that surround you every day. It also makes me think wistfully of living a simpler life. And now I look forward to reading the next in the series where I know Almanzo again plays an important part in the story!
A favorite quote: "If only I had some grease I could fix some kind of a light," Ma considered. "We didn't lack for light when I was a girl before this newfangled kerosene was ever heard of."
"That's so," said Pa. "These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraph and kerosene and coal stoves--they're good things to have, but the trouble is, folks get to depend on 'em."
Note: I'm shelving this series as both historical fiction and autobiography since it really is a bit of both. ...more
I loved this! There are striking similarities to Anne of Green Gables, although this was published 5 years earlier; and to Pollyanna, which was publisI loved this! There are striking similarities to Anne of Green Gables, although this was published 5 years earlier; and to Pollyanna, which was published 10 years after this. So although Rebecca isn't quite as well known, she came before Anne or Pollyanna! I recommend this to fans of either of those books or to anyone who wants to read a classic, wholesome story about an intelligent, imaginative young girl who makes the best of what life hands her.
I was a bit disappointed with the ending. Do we never get to know what ultimately happens to Rebecca? I see that there are a couple of sequels, but the reviews here on Goodreads make me think they probably aren't worth my time. Sad.
Another of Kate Douglas Wiggin's books, The Birds' Christmas Carol, was one of my childhood favorites. I believe I had an abridged copy of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm while growing up, but I don't think I ever read it because I didn't remember any of the details while reading this.
A favorite quote from the story, speaking of Rebecca's Aunt Miranda: "The soul grows into lovely habits as easily as into ugly ones, and the moment a life begins to blossom into beautiful words and deeds, that moment a new standard of conduct is established, and your eager neighbors look to you for a continuous manifestation of the good cheer, the sympathy, the ready wit, the comradeship, or the inspiration, you once showed yourself capable of. Bear figs for a season or two, and the world outside the orchard is very unwilling you should bear thistles."
This would have been a full 5 stars except for the ending. I'm giving it 4.5 stars.
Note: I listened to the audio version available at Librivox, which unfortunately had a mixture of readers. The quality was hit-or-miss depending on the reader. Some were quite good while others sent me to my Kindle to read so I wouldn't have to listen to them....more
How did I miss reading any of the Five Peppers books growing up? I knew about them because the family in Cheaper by the Dozen loved the books. But I nHow did I miss reading any of the Five Peppers books growing up? I knew about them because the family in Cheaper by the Dozen loved the books. But I never came across any Five Peppers books in my library or thought to seek them out myself - until now! The newfangled ebook technology makes these older books easily available and very affordable - practically free! :)
I love the Five Peppers! This is just the first book, but I'll definitely be reading more in the future. This isn't an action-packed story. It's just a nice story about nice people who don't have much of worldly things. They don't feel sorry for themselves but are grateful for each other and their strong family bonds.
The story definitely feels dated, but that is part of why I loved it so much. Would today's children love these stories? I think it depends a lot on the children. There are definitely things they could learn and enjoy from the Five Peppers.
My one problem with this book was the ending. It was so abrupt! I wasn't ready for it! I'm very glad there are more Five Peppers books to read....more
Why do I find it so much harder to write a review for a book that I really loved than for a book I really didn't? I also have a harder time writing a Why do I find it so much harder to write a review for a book that I really loved than for a book I really didn't? I also have a harder time writing a review for a book that is very well known and has had a lot written about it over the years. What could I have to say that would in any way add to what others have said? Especially when I just keep wanting to say things like "I loved this book!" "It's awesome, amazing, mysterious, and frustrating!" "Everybody should read this book!" and "Why didn't someone make me read this book sooner?"
Well, that's how I feel about Rebecca. It's another 5-star, well-written, thank goodness I finally read it, unforgettable book that I have Goodreads to thank for finally putting it on my "read" list. Although there are other opinions out there. A reviewer at Audible.com warns: "...don't buy this book. Don't read it. Don't listen to it. There is still time to turn back untouched.... I think this book was the first time I strayed into condoning or excusing murder. I sided with the killer. Do you hear? I sided with the killer! My moral compass spun free of all restrain. Daphne du Maurier has that effect on the reader. Take care or your compass will spin uncontrollable too. Don't buy this book. Don't listen to it. Stay free!" :) There's more, but I'll let you go find it. (I hope he doesn't mind if I quote him. I couldn't find a way to contact him. I would like to invite him to Goodreads!) So anyhow, despite the warning, I think you should all read Rebecca if you haven't yet! And if you have, post your comments here because I'm dying to discuss that creepy Mrs. Danvers - and the ending! The ending! Now I need to watch the Hitchcock movie....more
