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rworrall78's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I've upped my rating from 2.5 because my son loved it when I read it to him
I did love the descriptions of nature and the scenes were all set brilliantly. I found Colin and, to a lesser extent Mary, tiresome and Colin's story became very repetitive and drawn out. I would have loved more about Dickon and Mrs Sowerby but they were thinly drawn. There was also unquestioned colonialism and racism particularly at the start which was horrible.
I think perhaps Colin's grandiosity was meant to be written for laughs but it didn't work for me.
I did love the descriptions of nature and the scenes were all set brilliantly. I found Colin and, to a lesser extent Mary, tiresome and Colin's story became very repetitive and drawn out. I would have loved more about Dickon and Mrs Sowerby but they were thinly drawn. There was also unquestioned colonialism and racism particularly at the start which was horrible.
I think perhaps Colin's grandiosity was meant to be written for laughs but it didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, and Classism
yrlaevelyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Slavery, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
chiaralzr's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Racism, Terminal illness, and Colonisation
b_lownds127's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
I read this aloud over a rainy long weekend with my five and four year old who were content to snuggle and ask for "one more chapter" over and over again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
strawbibble's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
_suvi_'s review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such a lovely, hopeful, and happy book that was such a heartwarming experience in ways that are hard to describe. I had never read this book as a child and apparently there are movie adaptations too I’ve never heard about. Nevertheless the magical realism with the mystery and secrecy were really compelling combined with the vivid description of the nature. What kind of stood out from the beautifullness of the book was its age. Many instances of describing India were uncomfortable or upright terrible, which is not a surprise for a book written in England in the 1910s. Also, the book’s main character, Mary, fades into the background near the end of the book where the book starts to focus on Colin and his relationship with his self-image and his father, which is disappointing, especially since is such a strong character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Colonisation
yggie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a wholesome, lovely book. Great cast, great development. This book is one of the few I can reread every few years and it will always make me feel better.
That said, it's very much a product of its time, and the casual racism at the beginning is definitely not ok.
That said, it's very much a product of its time, and the casual racism at the beginning is definitely not ok.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Grief, and Classism
sanjana_the_book_station's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement and Colonisation
lex_r's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have always wanted to read this book as a young adult but never got the chance. I loved the movie and I can say I equally loved most of this book. I refrain from giving it five stars because of the racism and colonialism that are somewhat central the the origins of Mary, the main character. Mary is the daughter of British colonizers who live in India, unforeseen circumstances lead Mary to England which is where she learns and develops her character. I love the child playfulness and the wonder that all the children blossom into, but it is hard to ignore the blatant racism by the main characters. Compared to the the other novels that I have read this year the happy ending of this was refreshing and it was really nice to read a book geared toward children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse
sir_ren's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
a story of a family healing from past events - set in the colonial period, partly in India and the rest in Yorkshire, England - the main characters have tragic beginnings - also a story of children growing up
personally would have liked it better as a child as it is the target demographic
personally would have liked it better as a child as it is the target demographic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation