Reviews

The It Doesn't Matter Suit by Rotraut Susanne Berner, Sylvia Plath

shaimaa's review against another edition

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3.0

This is my first Sylvia Plath read. I did not know she wrote children literature. It was a fun read.

The It-Doesn't-Matter Suit shows how true to their wishes children are. Max wanted a suit that he could wear whenever and wherever he wanted not caring if people would think it did not fit some place or another as long as he liked it.

Mrs Cherry's Kitchen conveys that things should do what they are assigned for. Likewise, people should do the things that they are good at without complaining about doing the other things they don't know anything about just for some Change-About.

The Bed Book has fanciful poems about different kinds of beds.

Quentin Blake's descriptive illustrations are a delight, as always.

bernadette_reads's review

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

4.0

soshivaniofher's review against another edition

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5.0

a lot has been talked about sylvia plath, her ‘confessional’ style of poetry, and of course, her infamous head-in-the-oven death. in this anthology of short stories and a poem, written for her kids and published posthumously, plath emerges as a versatile writer.

the titular story “the it-doesn't-matter suit” is equal parts funny, charming, and intriguing which reflects plath’s multiple facets. it revolves around the world of a misfit max nix and stresses upon the importance of the construction of self and individuality. the illustrations not only make each story more enticing but also provide a more fascinating visual interpretation of plath's words. one can't stop themselves from imagining what a pleasure it would have been to have read this book in one’s childhood.

having been romanticized as a poet writing eloquently about grief and her experiences with neuroses, plath is seldom represented as a happy figure, much less a children’s literature writer. what makes the book more appealing is its cover. the bright solid yellow colour which represents warmth, happiness, and sunshine, all of such qualities infused together on the same pedestal as sivvy (plath’s nickname). i can affirm that someday i shall read this book to my kids.

chorleychalk's review

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

elleinterrupted_'s review against another edition

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5.0

I know this is a children's book, but I can't help thinking that the whole story is a metaphor for being comfortable in your own skin no matter how peculiar you might feel in it.

omantienlukija's review against another edition

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4.0

Olipa varsin sympaattinen teos. Tosin yön pimeinä tunteina sovitusruljanssin itseääntoistavuus meinasi iskeä epätoivon päälle, mutta kuvituksen ja tarinan sympaattisuus paikkasi varsin paljon. (February 12, 2008)

jenniferworrell's review

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3.0

Not a bad story, though a bit repetitive. Love the illustrations. It's all about how you shouldn't worry about what others think, just be yourself. Then again it's from Sylvia Plath, so it could mean that nothing you do makes a damn bit of difference, so fuck it.

innergrace's review

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reflective slow-paced

3.5

myliminality's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

gargamela's review

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5.0

I loved this story about Max, a young boy who really wants a suit for all occasions. Max gets his suit after all the other nale members of the family reject a suit for being too inappropriate. Max accepts the suit wholeheartedly and theb goes on to prove everyone that the suit was entirely appropriate for all occasions. The middle bit can be a bit tedious because there are six older brothers and each one gets the chance to try out the suit. This story reminds me of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin.