A review by mrsjackflash
When Marnie Was There by Joan G. Robinson
4.0
While I have read this book after I watched the movie I will try to discuss the book itself on its own merits as much as I can.
Anna is a very interesting character and very unique for a children's novel. His complex she has about not feeling loved and feeling on the outside of everyone else's interactions is relatable but I have not seen her type of psyche really portrayed in novels. Her gradual change from someone who blocks people out with her 'ordinary face' and avoids talking to anyone any longer than she possibly needs to, to a little girl with a lot of friends and who can express her love for her foster mother, is believable and to me did not feel rushed at all.
Marnie and Anna's friendship is moving and sweet, with all the elements that I remember of my friendships when I was Anna's age; both the good and the bad.
The book has a very haunting and ethereal tone which I quite enjoyed. However, particularly near the end of the book so much is being spelled out rather bluntly that it started to threaten the tone I had so much enjoyed up until that point. However, for the most part I let this pass, since this book is targeted at the younger crowd and if the bluntness is how you can assure that a child will understand the important lessons this books is teaching them, then I can put up with it.
There was a couple of missed opportunities, I feel, with the book. Specifically with the the Peggs who pretty much all but disappear from the book at around chapter twelve. By showing more of Anna's interactions with the Peggs it could have reflected how Anna was changing through her friendship with Marnie. Also, Sandra was a shallow character who was inserted into the book for the express purpose of being hated by the and it was a little disappointing that the book relied on such a tired archetype of fat mean bully especially since the book as a whole is rather unique.
Overall I believe this is a great book that deserves to be considered a classic.
Anna is a very interesting character and very unique for a children's novel. His complex she has about not feeling loved and feeling on the outside of everyone else's interactions is relatable but I have not seen her type of psyche really portrayed in novels. Her gradual change from someone who blocks people out with her 'ordinary face' and avoids talking to anyone any longer than she possibly needs to, to a little girl with a lot of friends and who can express her love for her foster mother, is believable and to me did not feel rushed at all.
Marnie and Anna's friendship is moving and sweet, with all the elements that I remember of my friendships when I was Anna's age; both the good and the bad.
The book has a very haunting and ethereal tone which I quite enjoyed. However, particularly near the end of the book so much is being spelled out rather bluntly that it started to threaten the tone I had so much enjoyed up until that point. However, for the most part I let this pass, since this book is targeted at the younger crowd and if the bluntness is how you can assure that a child will understand the important lessons this books is teaching them, then I can put up with it.
There was a couple of missed opportunities, I feel, with the book. Specifically with the the Peggs who pretty much all but disappear from the book at around chapter twelve. By showing more of Anna's interactions with the Peggs it could have reflected how Anna was changing through her friendship with Marnie. Also, Sandra was a shallow character who was inserted into the book for the express purpose of being hated by the and it was a little disappointing that the book relied on such a tired archetype of fat mean bully especially since the book as a whole is rather unique.
Overall I believe this is a great book that deserves to be considered a classic.