gcullman's review against another edition
4.0
What a great story! I love how Flip grows over the course of the book -- she is likeable to the reader from the beginning but you can see how she would not be from the outside. Great evocation of how everything can be so dramatic when you are a teenager. I love Madeleine L'Engle books and I've read this one over and over again.
kellyjcm's review against another edition
4.0
Set in Switzerland, the story of Flip's coming-of-age is heartwarming. Although written a number of years ago, this story could easily take place in a contemporary setting, making it accessible to today's teens. The trials of adolescence, life in boarding school, and grief for a deceased parent merge well under the hand of the incomparable Madeleine L'Engle. True comfort food.
liralen's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this book when I was younger and am pleased to find that it stands up to a reread—stands up to a listen, even, and I've never been one much for audiobooks. Some of it's a little dated, as you might expect (I don't think contemporary YA heroines are so ready to be scolded by their teachers for feeling left out), but I love it for tackling complicated subjects and not having unnecessary drama thrown in by 'mean girls' and for overall feeling like with a few tweaks it could be contemporary and any of these characters could more or less come to life.
blbstorey's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book when I was quite young, and I remember loving it. I'm in search of a copy of it, so I can read it again. Sweet and gentle, yet very real book about young people in love and the difficulties inherent in that situation.
brittneycloyd's review against another edition
4.0
My first L'Engle. I have a thing for sentimental young adult fiction from the days before they were riddled with sex. Frances Hodgson Burnett, L. M. Montgomery anyone?
sonofthunder's review against another edition
4.0
I've heard of this book before and it's been on my nebulous mental "to read" list for a while, but this past Saturday stumbled upon it on a shelf in local book shop. And because I've already felt myself in a L'Engle mood lately...I knew it was time! I wanted a relaxing and nostalgic book gorgeously written and this one...mostly fit the bill? I have to say, I definitely got a little second-hand anxiety and stress reading about Philippa's adventures in her boarding school - L'Engle so well captures the fear and insecurity of being the new person in a buzzing social environment and all the awkwardness that comes with that. But beyond that, I definitely loved this book. It felt very early L'Engle, but my copy was somehow published in 1983? It doesn't feel like it, to be honest, and I'm sure I could look it up, but not going to bother. Just my impression that this feels like her writing in her youth. Beyond all that, this book is lovely. Majority of it set in a Swiss boarding school (not quite sure why my reading of late has revolved around girls' boarding schools in the Alps...hm...), this book is about Phillipa Hunter (who is referenced in other L'Engle books, because - of course!) and her learning and growing and indeed, growing up. She meets a boy and becomes friends with him (and maybe more!?) and tries to learn to navigate the boarding school experience when she oh so often just doesn't feel it. She is lonely and misses her father and doesn't feel like she fits in and she cries and she aches and she desperately wants to retain a sense of herself and her own identity and not be subsumed in the larger hyper-dramatic schoolgirl ethos. She wants to continue to be able to look at the stars in the night sky and feel that wonderful ache that comes from gazing upon beauty and feeling it in your soul. So this book fascinated me for how well you're able to identify with Philippa and feel as if you know her and as if you are her. And also what's wonderful? Just as much as you are a bit repulsed and stressed by all the new crazy people she meets in school, just as she slowly starts getting to know them better and feel close to them as people...so do you. So now I too love Jackie and Erna and even Gloria and yes of course Madame Perceval and Monsieur Laurens and Paul of course Paul. This book is a little raw and rough in spots, not perfectly formed by any means, but I still love it. It's a book that one probably has to be in the right mood to read, as it definitely can stir up those feelings of social anxiety! But I was in just the right mood to read about a girl learning to find a home in a far-away land, a girl striving to continue to see beauty in all things and discover where love may be found. Another quality book by L'Engle and one I shall not hesitate to re-read.