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morganperks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Slavery, and Death of parent
calli_the_flower's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of my all time favorite books that I've reread a dozen times since I was ten. In my opinion, it tells the Cinderella story that girls should know - about hope, family, perseverance and the power of kindness. It doesn't end with marriage, the "evil stepmother" is just a head mistress jealous of Sara's knowledge of French and gentle likeability, and the "fairy godmother" trope we've come to be familiar with is actually just an old Indian gentleman with a soft heart.
Some argue that this book has older themes, but while that's true, it also features moments unable to be timestamped. The turning point in this book, where Sara is starving and trying to survive by making up a world where she's safe and comfortable and then finds a fourpenny - she has a choice, and she makes the choice of a giver, a choice that weighs more on her than keeping the wealth would. The next chapters however, directly following after the event, seem to reinforce that doing good will result in good - and that is how the most magical chapter is reinforced. It's not just Sara's disbelief that makes it magical, but we've seen multiple times that she's consistently done good and she deserves warmth, food, and security. The idea and the reminder that good will be rewarded not only is a trope I love, but an important thing to remember even when we are facing challenges just like Sara.
This story has stayed with me since I was a little girl, and each time I read it, I relive some of its magic. No matter how old I become, Sara Crewe has always inspired me and I will reach for this book a thousand times more.
Some argue that this book has older themes, but while that's true, it also features moments unable to be timestamped. The turning point in this book, where Sara is starving and trying to survive by making up a world where she's safe and comfortable and then finds a fourpenny - she has a choice, and she makes the choice of a giver, a choice that weighs more on her than keeping the wealth would. The next chapters however, directly following after the event, seem to reinforce that doing good will result in good - and that is how the most magical chapter is reinforced. It's not just Sara's disbelief that makes it magical, but we've seen multiple times that she's consistently done good and she deserves warmth, food, and security. The idea and the reminder that good will be rewarded not only is a trope I love, but an important thing to remember even when we are facing challenges just like Sara.
This story has stayed with me since I was a little girl, and each time I read it, I relive some of its magic. No matter how old I become, Sara Crewe has always inspired me and I will reach for this book a thousand times more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Bullying
rachel_here's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Death of parent
karenaerts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Racism
anja_reads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
lorie336's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have watched the 1939 adaptation that starred Shirley Temple and now have finally read this. To be honest I like the movie better, but I can see the differences and the continuity between the two. In the book there's no young school mistress, no revenge on Lavinia, no searching for her father, no Queen Victoria, and no finding her father. I haven't watched the other movies, but I think they romantized it a bit. I felt odd about the ending, although happy, it was weird to me. If you have read it you will know what I mean, but Becky and Ram Dass were spot on as well as Miss Minnchin. Such cruelty and I had to look up boxing the ears, that's worse than a spanking. Although, Sara was spoiled by her father, she seemed to be caring of others and unselfish, she was the champion of those that were bullied or mistreated. I did enjoy the book and would recommend whether you have seen an adaptation or not, it was still an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Slavery, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
wordswoods's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
memoriast's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Slavery
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
twilightfairyx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Second attempt at reading this following a failed attempt as a teenager and being a fan of the film.
The story is highly detailed and weaves as wonderful an image as Sara conjures through her own imaginings.
I’ve said there are diverse characters here, but this is not in reference to skin tone, race or religion. There are a vast array of personality types that play throughout the story with each one being very clearly laid out. I personally believe that diversity can be through that too. From what is described, there are only two black characters which, in context of the setting of high class Victorian London, doesn’t feel out of place, but could put some people off.
Definitely one to reread again. I enjoyed it immensely.
The story is highly detailed and weaves as wonderful an image as Sara conjures through her own imaginings.
I’ve said there are diverse characters here, but this is not in reference to skin tone, race or religion. There are a vast array of personality types that play throughout the story with each one being very clearly laid out. I personally believe that diversity can be through that too. From what is described, there are only two black characters which, in context of the setting of high class Victorian London, doesn’t feel out of place, but could put some people off.
Definitely one to reread again. I enjoyed it immensely.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
outcrye's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Slavery
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent