Scan barcode
hdean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
kmglitterthing's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
catherine_mack's review against another edition
4.0
One of those children's classics I'd always meant to read but never got around to. I saw the BBC movie version last year and loved the story so picked up a copy. I'm too sick to read any adult books at the moment so am taking the sofa time to enjoy 'comfort' reading.
And I am enjoying this story very much. It does have that enduring 'classic' feel to it.Characters are well developed, there is a little bit of scary, a little bit of the crotchety old folks, a little bit of magic and no parents in sight. The perfect combination.
And I am enjoying this story very much. It does have that enduring 'classic' feel to it.Characters are well developed, there is a little bit of scary, a little bit of the crotchety old folks, a little bit of magic and no parents in sight. The perfect combination.
katy_bee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I think I had read this as a child but I didn't remember it well. I really enjoyed it as an adult and I think there were some quite deep themes behind the simple writing. I found the relationship between Mr Evans and Lou interesting in a way I might not have as a child
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
4.0
Read alongside students during "DEAR" time.
This is a book I recall reading - or starting to read - more than once as a child. Back then my mind couldn't cope with the strange names and Mister Johnny's strange almost speaking gobbledegook. It's such a kooky story, I'm sure it has deep meaning but since I read it a page here a couple of pages there, over the course of many weeks, whatever that message was definitely sailed right over my head. Instead, I simply enjoyed it as a piece of entertainment.
This is a book I recall reading - or starting to read - more than once as a child. Back then my mind couldn't cope with the strange names and Mister Johnny's strange almost speaking gobbledegook. It's such a kooky story, I'm sure it has deep meaning but since I read it a page here a couple of pages there, over the course of many weeks, whatever that message was definitely sailed right over my head. Instead, I simply enjoyed it as a piece of entertainment.
tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
RS book group March 2021
I finished it later than the book group and didn't attend because I was Zoom-ed out by 8pm on Tuesday.
It took me a little to get into the book. The framing of the woman going with her children to see a place from her childhood and then the story going to her childhood- just didn't grip my attention. It was a boring way to start the book. I did like the first chapter better, though, after reading the book. I went back to re-read it. It probably should have been put further in the back.
I think the book captures childhood well-how events feel so big but looking back they are small, and how your perspective is so different from the adults around you. I can see why it was a popular book for teaching in schools, but I also see that it's not as relevant to children these days, or more accurately, other books are more relevant than this one. But it's a nice story and could make a good read-aloud, as it's short.
I finished it later than the book group and didn't attend because I was Zoom-ed out by 8pm on Tuesday.
It took me a little to get into the book. The framing of the woman going with her children to see a place from her childhood and then the story going to her childhood- just didn't grip my attention. It was a boring way to start the book. I did like the first chapter better, though, after reading the book. I went back to re-read it. It probably should have been put further in the back.
I think the book captures childhood well-how events feel so big but looking back they are small, and how your perspective is so different from the adults around you. I can see why it was a popular book for teaching in schools, but I also see that it's not as relevant to children these days, or more accurately, other books are more relevant than this one. But it's a nice story and could make a good read-aloud, as it's short.
mandi26's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0