stagasaurus's review against another edition
4.0
Read while on holiday in Menorca. My favourite bits were Maddy’s lies.
traditionson's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that I first read when I was about 14 years old and didn't know my place in the world. I was at school, this book was out of print and I loved it so much I spent 2 weeks every night copying it out word for word into a notebook. I still have that first copy of the book at home.
This is a story about seven children 4 girls 3 boys who end up starting an amateur theater adventure after the youngest Maddy breaks a window of a church that was no longer being used. The children put on a variety of plays and grow in so many ways throughout allowing them to become truer to themselves throughout. A wonderful story of growth, accepting and using your differences, as well as your strengths and to fight for what you want in life. Just DO NOT forget to have fun while doing it.
As it was set in the late 40's some of the references may be lost on some people and many of the phrases used have changed in meaning but it is still a wonderful story that predates the world of Enid Blyton but keeps a similar strength to the robustness of characters.
This is a story about seven children 4 girls 3 boys who end up starting an amateur theater adventure after the youngest Maddy breaks a window of a church that was no longer being used. The children put on a variety of plays and grow in so many ways throughout allowing them to become truer to themselves throughout. A wonderful story of growth, accepting and using your differences, as well as your strengths and to fight for what you want in life. Just DO NOT forget to have fun while doing it.
As it was set in the late 40's some of the references may be lost on some people and many of the phrases used have changed in meaning but it is still a wonderful story that predates the world of Enid Blyton but keeps a similar strength to the robustness of characters.
neonila's review
3.0
This was a cute and endearing read, but I can't say that I was amazed by it. I really enjoyed the friendship between the characters and the fact that they went after what they wanted even if there were obstacles in their way, proving that, in the end, everything is possible if you believe in yourself. The writing was pretty decent and there wasn't really anything wrong with it.
This book wasn't really what I'm interested in, though. I think I might have enjoyed it a lot more if I read this when I was younger, but it didn't really stand out for me now.
This book wasn't really what I'm interested in, though. I think I might have enjoyed it a lot more if I read this when I was younger, but it didn't really stand out for me now.
jennayra's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
lnatal's review
3.0
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
A group of children all share one dream, to set up their very own theatre company. Pamela Brown's adventure stars James Lance and Caroline Harker
A group of children all share one dream, to set up their very own theatre company. Pamela Brown's adventure stars James Lance and Caroline Harker
muninnherself's review
5.0
I absolutely love this.
It was on the telly when I was young - in 1980, apparently - and I bought the book soon after. I was amazed by the fact that Pamela Brown was - 14? when she wrote it, as well as by the story, about three familes - the Faynes is the only surname I remember off hand - whose children share an obsessive love of acting. They find and do up an old church hall and put on shows. I know - doesn't it sound ghastly? But it's marvellous.
Maddy Fayne's the youngest, she's only nine. Sandra's her elder sister - played by Sarah Greene in the adaptation. She's good at sewing. Then there's Lynette, who is very serious about acting, and her brother, Jeremy. And the 'new people' whose arrival is catalyst to their adventures - Vicky, Bulldog (he likes inventing things) and... another boy whose name escapes me. Nigel? Their mother was a ballet dancer before being injured in a car accident (by their father.) Vicky longs to dance professionally.
There's conflict with disapproving parents, exams, support from the Bishop who loves Shakespeare, and an evil am dram lady, Mrs Potter-Smith, who lives in a house called Chez Moi. The Blue Door Theatre Company (as they call themselves) enter a competition - to write and perform a one act play. The winners will get a place at drama school, or be allowed to audition, anyway. The tension is palpable.
There's a sequal, Maddy Alone, which I don't own and have only read once.
It was on the telly when I was young - in 1980, apparently - and I bought the book soon after. I was amazed by the fact that Pamela Brown was - 14? when she wrote it, as well as by the story, about three familes - the Faynes is the only surname I remember off hand - whose children share an obsessive love of acting. They find and do up an old church hall and put on shows. I know - doesn't it sound ghastly? But it's marvellous.
Maddy Fayne's the youngest, she's only nine. Sandra's her elder sister - played by Sarah Greene in the adaptation. She's good at sewing. Then there's Lynette, who is very serious about acting, and her brother, Jeremy. And the 'new people' whose arrival is catalyst to their adventures - Vicky, Bulldog (he likes inventing things) and... another boy whose name escapes me. Nigel? Their mother was a ballet dancer before being injured in a car accident (by their father.) Vicky longs to dance professionally.
There's conflict with disapproving parents, exams, support from the Bishop who loves Shakespeare, and an evil am dram lady, Mrs Potter-Smith, who lives in a house called Chez Moi. The Blue Door Theatre Company (as they call themselves) enter a competition - to write and perform a one act play. The winners will get a place at drama school, or be allowed to audition, anyway. The tension is palpable.
There's a sequal, Maddy Alone, which I don't own and have only read once.
avalinahsbooks's review
4.0
I was so excited to write a review for this one! The Swish of the Curtain is strangely both as relevant as ever, and slightly dated at the same time. But it's a wonderful read! First released in 1941, it talks about timeless things such as ambition, talent and... your parents not letting you do what you want with your life. Then again, something that has been written back when my grandmother was born has to be dated in some ways too, and they're not surprising. But let's talk about good things first!
If I had to place this book, I would say it's somehow both middle grade and YA. I think that's got a lot to do with the fact that children's age was understood very differently back then, and they had freedom where we don't right now (like walking around alone and doing whatever you want with your time), but also didn't where we assume we will have freedom now (pursuing a career we want, for example). All of these things that have changed or, on the contrary, stayed the same, are interesting to compare with today's times. And the main messages stay the same!
What's still relevant and inspiring in this book is that it's about kids with ambition and direction – and it's about kids who are willing to fight for their chosen career, instead of what their parents think would be a safe career for them. I don't know if this is a problem many teens still face today, but even if they don't, the topic of going forward to reach your dreams and figuring out your direction is a great one.
Come and read the full review here:
I thank the publisher for giving me a free e-copy of the book through Edelweiss in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
Read Post On My Blog | Themed Bookstagram | Quick Update Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
If I had to place this book, I would say it's somehow both middle grade and YA. I think that's got a lot to do with the fact that children's age was understood very differently back then, and they had freedom where we don't right now (like walking around alone and doing whatever you want with your time), but also didn't where we assume we will have freedom now (pursuing a career we want, for example). All of these things that have changed or, on the contrary, stayed the same, are interesting to compare with today's times. And the main messages stay the same!
What's still relevant and inspiring in this book is that it's about kids with ambition and direction – and it's about kids who are willing to fight for their chosen career, instead of what their parents think would be a safe career for them. I don't know if this is a problem many teens still face today, but even if they don't, the topic of going forward to reach your dreams and figuring out your direction is a great one.
Come and read the full review here:
I thank the publisher for giving me a free e-copy of the book through Edelweiss in exchange to my honest opinion. Receiving the book for free does not affect my opinion.
Read Post On My Blog | Themed Bookstagram | Quick Update Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
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