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heatherwoodauthor's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful story. I think this was the most advanced language of any read aloud we've done yet, but we all really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend.
charlottebreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
- i love the atmosphere in this book
- very similar to "the little house on the prairie"
- very similar to "the little house on the prairie"
kefletcher's review against another edition
5.0
History Year Three. Reformation from the view of Catholic siblings. Great food for thought from our Protestant perspective.
nightskiesdark's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't really Children of the New Forest, it's really the eldest son's story - Edward. The two youngest daughters have little personality, and the other son, whilst at least given a personality and something to do, is not the main focus.
I enjoyed this as a child, but it hasn't kept it's charm. The end of the book seems rushed, with about 4 years crammed into a few pages. I would have been more interested to know more about Edwards time fighting.
I probably won't re-read this.
I enjoyed this as a child, but it hasn't kept it's charm. The end of the book seems rushed, with about 4 years crammed into a few pages. I would have been more interested to know more about Edwards time fighting.
I probably won't re-read this.
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
2.0
Honestly, this book was so boring for most of it. The ending was satisfying and I was invested for the last few chapters, but overall I found it so disappointing.
jane_pendragon's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
the_sentimentality_of_books's review against another edition
3.0
The Children of the New Forest was written by Captain Marryat and published in 1847 - and the book definitely shows it.
The story purportedly follows the childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood of the four Beverley siblings: two brothers and two sisters. While the livelihoods, activities, and interests of the two boys are followed and do make a very interesting historical novel, the two girls are left out.
When Humphrey, the younger brothers, tells his sister Edith that they shall have bacon from their farm, he says that it will be fun for her because she will be able to cook it for him and his brother. Later, Edward, the elder brother, is deciding where his two sisters will live and claims that it is decided without consulting either one of them.
In sum, the girls are in the book to:
1. Give the boys some to protect
2. Provide housekeeping.
Therefore, I can say it is an enjoyable novel for an adult with same rather dramatic points of intrigue, physical danger, and love. In its history-telling, it is quite biased against the Roundheads, and very pro-Cavalier, but the ways of life, farming, and speaking would make an interesting study.
However, as a children's book, I say no. Being unwittingly sexist, racist and biased it can be studied by adults, but should not be read by either young boys or girls without giving them some very old-fashioned impressions.
The story purportedly follows the childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood of the four Beverley siblings: two brothers and two sisters. While the livelihoods, activities, and interests of the two boys are followed and do make a very interesting historical novel, the two girls are left out.
When Humphrey, the younger brothers, tells his sister Edith that they shall have bacon from their farm, he says that it will be fun for her because she will be able to cook it for him and his brother. Later, Edward, the elder brother, is deciding where his two sisters will live and claims that it is decided without consulting either one of them.
In sum, the girls are in the book to:
1. Give the boys some to protect
2. Provide housekeeping.
Therefore, I can say it is an enjoyable novel for an adult with same rather dramatic points of intrigue, physical danger, and love. In its history-telling, it is quite biased against the Roundheads, and very pro-Cavalier, but the ways of life, farming, and speaking would make an interesting study.
However, as a children's book, I say no. Being unwittingly sexist, racist and biased it can be studied by adults, but should not be read by either young boys or girls without giving them some very old-fashioned impressions.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
4.0
During the English Civil War, the four Beverley children are orphaned when their wealthy father is killed fighting for the restoration of King Charles. Their grand home is burnt down and they are supposed dead, so they find shelter with a kindly old forester. They each learn to hunt, harvest, and care for their little cottage, living in seclusion deep in the forest. But the oldest boy, Edward, is restless and he dreams of going to war as his father did.
The siblings encounter many dangers and perplexities, highwaymen and robbers, spies from the Parliamentary government, and a new Intendant governor over the forest who is determined to capture anyone poaching the deer in the forest. But the siblings are resourceful and brave, so they flourish in their humble cottage, acquiring farm animals and planting small fields, dreaming of the time when their inheritance will be restored to them, if ever the true King returns to England.
I loved this story of the Beverley siblings! The plot is interesting and full of action and intrigue. I really liked even the simple aspects of the story about the children learning to do household tasks like cooking, the boys learning how to hunt, and the girls keeping a dairy.
I like the formal writing style and the vivid language of this book. I wish that the girls in the story had more time in the narrative. They are sort of background characters, and don't take part in most of the action, but I liked them! I just wish there was more in-depth writing about them.
I was really touched by the siblings deep emotional attachment to each other and to the old man who takes them in. Time and again, they are shown to have noble feelings and generosity to their friends. I loved how the siblings all work and sacrifice a great deal to care for and protect each other. Their first thought in any difficult situation is, "How can I take care of my siblings?"
Usually, I get bored with historical fiction, but I loved the historical aspects of this story. The characters made the history more intimate and immediate to the reader.
The siblings encounter many dangers and perplexities, highwaymen and robbers, spies from the Parliamentary government, and a new Intendant governor over the forest who is determined to capture anyone poaching the deer in the forest. But the siblings are resourceful and brave, so they flourish in their humble cottage, acquiring farm animals and planting small fields, dreaming of the time when their inheritance will be restored to them, if ever the true King returns to England.
I loved this story of the Beverley siblings! The plot is interesting and full of action and intrigue. I really liked even the simple aspects of the story about the children learning to do household tasks like cooking, the boys learning how to hunt, and the girls keeping a dairy.
I like the formal writing style and the vivid language of this book. I wish that the girls in the story had more time in the narrative. They are sort of background characters, and don't take part in most of the action, but I liked them! I just wish there was more in-depth writing about them.
I was really touched by the siblings deep emotional attachment to each other and to the old man who takes them in. Time and again, they are shown to have noble feelings and generosity to their friends. I loved how the siblings all work and sacrifice a great deal to care for and protect each other. Their first thought in any difficult situation is, "How can I take care of my siblings?"
Usually, I get bored with historical fiction, but I loved the historical aspects of this story. The characters made the history more intimate and immediate to the reader.
octavia_cade's review against another edition
2.0
Really quite readable for such an old book, although it truthfully should be called "The Boys of the New Forest" as Marryat has less than no interest in the two sisters of the title children, preferring to follow the exploits of their brothers.
It's certainly a product of its time, from a political and social perspective, and the bias of the author shines plainly through - I side-eyed the text quite a few times. Still, despite this and the absolutely romanticised version of peasant life that the kids lead, it scoots along fairly quickly and at least has a semblance of a plot, which considering some of my more recent reads was something a relief.
It's certainly a product of its time, from a political and social perspective, and the bias of the author shines plainly through - I side-eyed the text quite a few times. Still, despite this and the absolutely romanticised version of peasant life that the kids lead, it scoots along fairly quickly and at least has a semblance of a plot, which considering some of my more recent reads was something a relief.