Reviews

The Little Snake by A.L. Kennedy

xyus's review against another edition

5.0

'Love is a terrible thing'.
'So it seems', whispered Lanmo.
'But it is also wonderful.'

This book made me think about friendship; growing up; war; greed; love; family. This was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

the_colourful_reader's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

manglitter's review

4.0

That was a peculiar novella about a little girl and a little snake. I knew nothing about this story when I started it but after reading just the first page, I could not put it down until the last page and I liked it. This was my first book by Kennedy that I just recently heard about her books, so I decided to start with a short story from her in order to get an idea about her style. It was such a whimsical and beautiful tale that I enjoyed discovering.

haneypants's review

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

what a sweet, wonky little book that left me a little misty. You will enjoy if you loved the little prince by antione de St. Exupery and are clinging to your childlike sense of wonder with all of your might

happydragon's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

syaun's review

5.0

The ending. I knew it was coming and yet I was still unprepared. Such a quick and lovely book.

halflegheather's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

eileenmccoy's review

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

lgrega's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

anikaslibrary's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.75

What a terrifyingly beautiful and sad story. So many things highlighted about grief, human greed, and love and being present and kind. Learning about how death makes you tell those important words to your loved ones sooner than later and how to love and to be loved are some of the most precious things we have in life.
I disagree with some of the reviewers that the child-like storytelling makes it "weaker". Although it is simplistic in its narration, it encapsulates concepts of every day life in a beautifully emotional way.

Rating it 4.75 for now but may bump it up to 5 stars because I did really love it and would recommend it to everyone.

"Sometimes when there is nothing else to do, or nothing that can be done yet, it is best to be happy with friends and to let this strengthen your spirit."

"He found it remarkable that humans could persuade themselves to keep going under almost any circumstances and that they were very willing to be joyful and courageous. It was a shame so many of them were so stupid."

"love truly is a terrible thing. And yet it makes lovers never want to leave each other and hold hands while they look at stars and be happy all the way to their ending. And that is wonderful. Love is strange."

"But he knew that he could not change the humans against their will and that the humans could only choose to change themselves and so he must leave them to be lost in their own ways."