kimberly_b's review against another edition
5.0
Rikki Tikki Tavi was one of my most favorite stories as a kid. Absolutely love it!
nerdymamabooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kandicez's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book as a child, and remember waiting for the cartoon to come one every year! The book is so much better.
andreavisbal240's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
5.0
geminiunicorn_6890's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
cdelorenzo's review against another edition
4.0
“‘Todo terminó —dijo—. La viuda ya no volverá a salir’.
Las hormigas rojas que viven entre los tallos de hierba la oyeron y desfilaron hacia adentro para asegurarse de que era cierto lo que decía”.
Las hormigas rojas que viven entre los tallos de hierba la oyeron y desfilaron hacia adentro para asegurarse de que era cierto lo que decía”.
evet7070's review against another edition
5.0
It's a nice story! It's written like a book that I would read as a children's bedtime story. I loved how simple and easy it was to follow, and how the story had clearly defined roles for each of the animals/characters in the story. The mongoose is the guardian of the garden so to speak, and the cobras are the so-called villains of the story terrorising on both small creatures and humans alike.
I kept thinking about how even though every creature is said to be simply doing what it needs to survive (e.g. the cobras killing birds to eat, and breeding eggs to keep their species intact, even though it poses a threat to the rest of the garden), Kipling does a pretty good job of adding a human element of emotion and intention to these characters.
I kept thinking about how even though every creature is said to be simply doing what it needs to survive (e.g. the cobras killing birds to eat, and breeding eggs to keep their species intact, even though it poses a threat to the rest of the garden), Kipling does a pretty good job of adding a human element of emotion and intention to these characters.
ruben_franz's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: Reviewer is not a native speaker. Read in German translation first (Peter Kleinhempel, Brigitte Struzyk). Re-read.
Kipling as a person, especially in his later years, may be someone about whom opinions differ. Another artistic figure who comes from a completely different time, and yet must be read in the light of the present. The burden of timeless success it seems.
Completely independent of the evaluation of his attitudes and ideologies, his work stands. A work that brought India to Europe in a completely new way. A work that lives most vividly in the short stories. A work that, with a few lines, can breathe into an unknown being (whether human or animal) a personality all its own. In Rikki-tikki-tavi, one of my favorite stories as a child, this is particularly evident. A short story, only a few characters. A mongoose as hero, two cobras as villains. Two tailor birds who support the hero, a human family as emotional anchor for a readership of the time. Short, concise prose that bounces back and forth between tension and release in quick succession. Perfect for a child eager to turn to the next page. Also perfect for a child to read about animals that don't play a role in his or her own life, but spark curiosity precisely because of that.
All in all, a short read that is fun and touches on other realities of life along the way. Clear recommendation for children and young people, as well as a read-aloud book. Recommendation with slight restrictions also for adults. Those who are not in constant contact with their inner child may feel underwhelmed by the simple structure of the story and the schematic presentation of most of the characters. You can't have it all.
Kipling as a person, especially in his later years, may be someone about whom opinions differ. Another artistic figure who comes from a completely different time, and yet must be read in the light of the present. The burden of timeless success it seems.
Completely independent of the evaluation of his attitudes and ideologies, his work stands. A work that brought India to Europe in a completely new way. A work that lives most vividly in the short stories. A work that, with a few lines, can breathe into an unknown being (whether human or animal) a personality all its own. In Rikki-tikki-tavi, one of my favorite stories as a child, this is particularly evident. A short story, only a few characters. A mongoose as hero, two cobras as villains. Two tailor birds who support the hero, a human family as emotional anchor for a readership of the time. Short, concise prose that bounces back and forth between tension and release in quick succession. Perfect for a child eager to turn to the next page. Also perfect for a child to read about animals that don't play a role in his or her own life, but spark curiosity precisely because of that.
All in all, a short read that is fun and touches on other realities of life along the way. Clear recommendation for children and young people, as well as a read-aloud book. Recommendation with slight restrictions also for adults. Those who are not in constant contact with their inner child may feel underwhelmed by the simple structure of the story and the schematic presentation of most of the characters. You can't have it all.