brettec's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the book a lot, but just as a warning to anyone wanting it, there is a passage in which women are called soft and weak and men are called brave and strong and it isn't explicitly refuted. Just something that would be good to talk to any child about that reads the book to be sure they understand that we don't believe that to be true today!
dont_panic_42's review against another edition
There are plenty more fish in the sea
decafplease's review against another edition
4.0
Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis are the three protagonists of The Railway Children (1906) by E. Nesbit, and all is normal and well in their little London house until their father is falsely accused of being a spy. With their father 'away', the three children are uprooted and transported to the countryside. Suddenly they find themselves poor. They can't have both butter and jam but butter or jam. No matter. They have trains to watch, friends to make, and lots saving the day to get done.
Throughout the book I was constantly picking up signs of how this would make the perfect Christmas special. Country house and scenic landscape, check. A stoic elderly gentleman with money, check. A benevolent and beautiful mother, check. Poor people, check. Charity on a special occasion, check. Speech about selflessness, double checks.
Even so, it wasn't cringe-y to get through the story, all because Nesbit has managed to capture that fleeting yet ineffable something that you only find in childhood. It was a time when apologising to someone made you feel like the hero of a tragedy, and when you received unexpected kindness, the world immediately looked more beautiful. It was a time, and I chuckle as I write this, when you could be mean and vicious and yet utterly unrepentant. Or really, only slightly repentant afterwards.
As I try to depict E. Nesbit's world of childhood, I am reminded of the concluding lines of Louise Glück's poem 'Nostos':
I wonder if this is the magic of The Railway Children, that it makes me nostalgic for a childhood that is not my own. For who would believe me if I were to say that I miss watching smoking steam trains go by in the english countryside? 'Tis strange, but 'tis true. So if you're going to read this book, be prepared to become a train fanatic, otherwise, save yourself!
Throughout the book I was constantly picking up signs of how this would make the perfect Christmas special. Country house and scenic landscape, check. A stoic elderly gentleman with money, check. A benevolent and beautiful mother, check. Poor people, check. Charity on a special occasion, check. Speech about selflessness, double checks.
Even so, it wasn't cringe-y to get through the story, all because Nesbit has managed to capture that fleeting yet ineffable something that you only find in childhood. It was a time when apologising to someone made you feel like the hero of a tragedy, and when you received unexpected kindness, the world immediately looked more beautiful. It was a time, and I chuckle as I write this, when you could be mean and vicious and yet utterly unrepentant. Or really, only slightly repentant afterwards.
As I try to depict E. Nesbit's world of childhood, I am reminded of the concluding lines of Louise Glück's poem 'Nostos':
We look at the world once, in childhood.
The rest is memory.
I wonder if this is the magic of The Railway Children, that it makes me nostalgic for a childhood that is not my own. For who would believe me if I were to say that I miss watching smoking steam trains go by in the english countryside? 'Tis strange, but 'tis true. So if you're going to read this book, be prepared to become a train fanatic, otherwise, save yourself!
goldenauer's review against another edition
4.0
‘Classic a Month Challenge 2022’ (1/12)
The first of my challenge to read one classic a month. As one of my Dads favourite films, I wanted to start with ‘The Railway Children’. This was just a fun read and it was a great one to start with!
The first of my challenge to read one classic a month. As one of my Dads favourite films, I wanted to start with ‘The Railway Children’. This was just a fun read and it was a great one to start with!
paristexas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrcbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Such a lovely book, with sweet & adorable sibling dynamics reminiscent of the Pevensies (Narnia — C.S. Lewis was inspired by Nesbit’s writing, as I’ve just learned from reading another review!) & the Aldens (Boxcar Children). I feel sorry I didn’t read this sooner (I would’ve adored it as a kid & would’ve related to Bobbie quite a bit), but better late than never! It was a charming read, definitely a wholesome & feel good tale with its fair share of laughs & adventures & twists! :)
gloriamitchell821196844's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
I watched this as a film when I was a child and I loved it. Pretty sure I watched it multiple times a week especially if I was sick.
I love the language used, its so enticing and I just really enjoyed it. This book to me is a feel good book.
I love the language used, its so enticing and I just really enjoyed it. This book to me is a feel good book.