magistratrium's review
4.0
A lovely Christmas story about a little girl, her elderly aunts, and the how the Christmas carol, I Saw Three Ships, comes alive for them one Christmas.
ericaceae's review
5.0
A sweet little Christmas story. We will be adding this to our stack of yearly read-alouds.
critterbee's review against another edition
4.0
Just got to this quote, which made me laugh out loud:
"Don't talk nonsense, child," said Dorcas impatiently. "And there are no wise men. I have never met a man yet who was not foolish."
Finished! What a sweet, sweet story. With a little wackiness
This is worth reading to young relatives, and then re-reading often. And beautifully illustrated.
"Don't talk nonsense, child," said Dorcas impatiently. "And there are no wise men. I have never met a man yet who was not foolish."
Finished! What a sweet, sweet story. With a little wackiness
Spoiler
Hello, men just go into the sitting room, although I know they are family/known to the family...This is worth reading to young relatives, and then re-reading often. And beautifully illustrated.
ruthsurette's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mimima's review against another edition
3.0
I was surprised to read that this was published in 1969 as it has a very Victorian sensibility about it. It was sweet and just a good Christmas read.
(on a side note: I vaguely remember reading it as a kid. I think it must have been the only, or one of the only, Goudge books I read then.)
(on a side note: I vaguely remember reading it as a kid. I think it must have been the only, or one of the only, Goudge books I read then.)
rosenectur's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent Christmas story full of intrigue and hope. A Christmas classic that everyone should read. A book full of hope and an happy ending full of Christmas Joy. Beautifully written, a book everyone should read.
katypicken's review against another edition
5.0
A children's Christmas story about family and hope and magic and joy, told in Elizabeth Goudge's wonderful prose. I loved it. A new favourite.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
5.0
Some months after the death of her parents, Polly is living in England with her two elderly aunts, Dorcas and Constantia. Polly desperately wants to leave the door unlocked on Christmas Eve so that the wise men can enter if they so wish. She also wants to see the three ships arrive, bringing the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. The two aunts are nervous about leaving a door unlocked without a man in the house, and they are equally skeptical that any ships will arrive, let alone a ship bearing the baby Jesus and his mother. When Christmas Eve arrives, however, Polly's steadfast faith in the possibilities of the Christmas season is rewarded in ways no one would have expected.
The only other Elizabeth Goudge book I have read so far is The Little White Horse, which is beautifully written and a personal favorite. I Saw Three Ships is every bit as well-written and meaningful. Not a single word is out of place in Goudge's descriptions of her setting and characters, and she puts forth an inspiring Christmas story that is heartfelt, but neither cloying nor sentimental. Polly is a character for whom I developed instant affection, and despite their somewhat stodgy exteriors, her aunts are also endearing and amusing, as are some of the other surprising supporting characters. I also love that the lyrics for the Christmas carol, "I Saw Three Ships" are incorporated into the text of the story, just begging to be sung.
I like this book very much and would certainly like to read it to my girls during some future Christmas season, after they are past the age of believing in Santa Claus. It's a tale that can really appeal to kids of all ages, but I think the fact that Polly knows her aunts fill her stocking would spoil the magic and mystery of the holiday for them at this stage. But for Christian families, this is really an ideal story for emphasizing and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
The only other Elizabeth Goudge book I have read so far is The Little White Horse, which is beautifully written and a personal favorite. I Saw Three Ships is every bit as well-written and meaningful. Not a single word is out of place in Goudge's descriptions of her setting and characters, and she puts forth an inspiring Christmas story that is heartfelt, but neither cloying nor sentimental. Polly is a character for whom I developed instant affection, and despite their somewhat stodgy exteriors, her aunts are also endearing and amusing, as are some of the other surprising supporting characters. I also love that the lyrics for the Christmas carol, "I Saw Three Ships" are incorporated into the text of the story, just begging to be sung.
I like this book very much and would certainly like to read it to my girls during some future Christmas season, after they are past the age of believing in Santa Claus. It's a tale that can really appeal to kids of all ages, but I think the fact that Polly knows her aunts fill her stocking would spoil the magic and mystery of the holiday for them at this stage. But for Christian families, this is really an ideal story for emphasizing and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
macklin's review against another edition
4.0
My 2014 Christmas Read: Wonderful, short and cute. I love the carol and this story was a great companion to it.
2015: I have realised that the ages of the aunts don't make any sense. Unless Polly's father is really old the aunts should not be over 40 like it says in the book.
2019: This book is so cozy.
2020: It us just is Christmas this book.
2015: I have realised that the ages of the aunts don't make any sense. Unless Polly's father is really old the aunts should not be over 40 like it says in the book.
2019: This book is so cozy.
2020: It us just is Christmas this book.
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