mona09's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ame_'s review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cordilea_kb's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed the way they explored the characters of Anna and Marnie and the ending was fantastic 👏
esai's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ikon_biotin_jungle_lumen's review
5.0
This is far from my usual reading fare, and I'm so glad I decided to read it. Joan Robinson captures the same pastoral wonder of possessed by works such as C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, even surpassing him in prose at points. Marnie has a deep degree of charm and empathy which will resonate deeply with readers.
orionoconnell's review
3.0
Content Warnings: Grief, Loss, Trauma, Abuse, Fear.
Things I did not know until fairly recently: that this was a book! I should have figured though, as a lot of Ghibli masterpieces come from fiction. 'When Marnie Was There' is a book probably suited best ages 8-12, though it can surely be read later and in some cases, earlier.
Anna struggles with not fitting in and sets off on an adventure where she learns the values of friendship, found-family and comes face to face with a surprise about her past that leaves the best audience absolutely in tears. I do believe I caught some signs of neurodivergence and perhaps autism from Anna, and it was nice to be able to at least consider that, even if it was never outright stated.
Because I'm an adult, the book was a little too tell-and-not-show for me, but it's done in a way that will interest young readers. For me, a case of 'the movie is better than the book' just because I'm a long-time fan of Ghibli and the movie broke my heart in the best way, and was beautifully done.
For the most part, the two did stay true to each other, at least on the major plot points. Very worth the read!
Things I did not know until fairly recently: that this was a book! I should have figured though, as a lot of Ghibli masterpieces come from fiction. 'When Marnie Was There' is a book probably suited best ages 8-12, though it can surely be read later and in some cases, earlier.
Anna struggles with not fitting in and sets off on an adventure where she learns the values of friendship, found-family and comes face to face with a surprise about her past that leaves the best audience absolutely in tears. I do believe I caught some signs of neurodivergence and perhaps autism from Anna, and it was nice to be able to at least consider that, even if it was never outright stated.
Because I'm an adult, the book was a little too tell-and-not-show for me, but it's done in a way that will interest young readers. For me, a case of 'the movie is better than the book' just because I'm a long-time fan of Ghibli and the movie broke my heart in the best way, and was beautifully done.
For the most part, the two did stay true to each other, at least on the major plot points. Very worth the read!
ev3rmore's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrsjackflash's review against another edition
4.0
While I have read this book after I watched the movie I will try to discuss the book itself on its own merits as much as I can.
Anna is a very interesting character and very unique for a children's novel. His complex she has about not feeling loved and feeling on the outside of everyone else's interactions is relatable but I have not seen her type of psyche really portrayed in novels. Her gradual change from someone who blocks people out with her 'ordinary face' and avoids talking to anyone any longer than she possibly needs to, to a little girl with a lot of friends and who can express her love for her foster mother, is believable and to me did not feel rushed at all.
Marnie and Anna's friendship is moving and sweet, with all the elements that I remember of my friendships when I was Anna's age; both the good and the bad.
The book has a very haunting and ethereal tone which I quite enjoyed. However, particularly near the end of the book so much is being spelled out rather bluntly that it started to threaten the tone I had so much enjoyed up until that point. However, for the most part I let this pass, since this book is targeted at the younger crowd and if the bluntness is how you can assure that a child will understand the important lessons this books is teaching them, then I can put up with it.
There was a couple of missed opportunities, I feel, with the book. Specifically with the the Peggs who pretty much all but disappear from the book at around chapter twelve. By showing more of Anna's interactions with the Peggs it could have reflected how Anna was changing through her friendship with Marnie. Also, Sandra was a shallow character who was inserted into the book for the express purpose of being hated by the and it was a little disappointing that the book relied on such a tired archetype of fat mean bully especially since the book as a whole is rather unique.
Overall I believe this is a great book that deserves to be considered a classic.
Anna is a very interesting character and very unique for a children's novel. His complex she has about not feeling loved and feeling on the outside of everyone else's interactions is relatable but I have not seen her type of psyche really portrayed in novels. Her gradual change from someone who blocks people out with her 'ordinary face' and avoids talking to anyone any longer than she possibly needs to, to a little girl with a lot of friends and who can express her love for her foster mother, is believable and to me did not feel rushed at all.
Marnie and Anna's friendship is moving and sweet, with all the elements that I remember of my friendships when I was Anna's age; both the good and the bad.
The book has a very haunting and ethereal tone which I quite enjoyed. However, particularly near the end of the book so much is being spelled out rather bluntly that it started to threaten the tone I had so much enjoyed up until that point. However, for the most part I let this pass, since this book is targeted at the younger crowd and if the bluntness is how you can assure that a child will understand the important lessons this books is teaching them, then I can put up with it.
There was a couple of missed opportunities, I feel, with the book. Specifically with the the Peggs who pretty much all but disappear from the book at around chapter twelve. By showing more of Anna's interactions with the Peggs it could have reflected how Anna was changing through her friendship with Marnie. Also, Sandra was a shallow character who was inserted into the book for the express purpose of being hated by the and it was a little disappointing that the book relied on such a tired archetype of fat mean bully especially since the book as a whole is rather unique.
Overall I believe this is a great book that deserves to be considered a classic.
luciej's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
alyssapusateri's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0