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eastwestnotes's review against another edition
5.0
The first of the British 'school novels' this tells about the development of Tom Brown into a proper Englishman. I really liked how the author addressed dealing with bullies and how the different personalities of boys influence each other. I'm afraid the first two chapters are a bit slow, as the author sets the scene of Tom's life before he starts at school, but after that it's very entertaining.
I also thought this was a good novel which discusses the raising moral, Christian young men without putting down women.
I also thought this was a good novel which discusses the raising moral, Christian young men without putting down women.
frazzle's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a bit of a sucker for this type of book. Both its sentimental Victorian style, and its boys'-own subject matter.
Yes, it's over-wrought, a bit preachy at times, twee, and seems to turn all of a sudden (two thirds of the way through) from a rollicking Just William tale of mischief and miscreants to make the case for piety and Christian sincerity. I'm sure this could've been a bit less disjointed.
BUT: it has some quite lovely character sketches, playful changes of register (from the biblical epic to the pundit), and believable protagonists (at least for the 19th century).
Must be read lightly and with a pinch of salt. But also repays being open to its touching moments.
Yes, it's over-wrought, a bit preachy at times, twee, and seems to turn all of a sudden (two thirds of the way through) from a rollicking Just William tale of mischief and miscreants to make the case for piety and Christian sincerity. I'm sure this could've been a bit less disjointed.
BUT: it has some quite lovely character sketches, playful changes of register (from the biblical epic to the pundit), and believable protagonists (at least for the 19th century).
Must be read lightly and with a pinch of salt. But also repays being open to its touching moments.
tgnewman's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up an old hardbacked copy of this years ago at a carboot. It has travelled with me far and wide. It has moved 3 homes with me, and I finally got the pleasure to read it.
Well worth the wait. A interesting delve into a part of British history and culture.
It is an old book, so the proses and writing took some getting used to, but once I did, I worked my way through it.
A heart warming coming of age story, about what it is to be a man. Some of its lessons apply as easily today as they do when this book was written.
Well worth the wait. A interesting delve into a part of British history and culture.
It is an old book, so the proses and writing took some getting used to, but once I did, I worked my way through it.
A heart warming coming of age story, about what it is to be a man. Some of its lessons apply as easily today as they do when this book was written.
rheren's review against another edition
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
old-fashioned, a little preachy, but very interesting to understand this aspect of 19th century England.
condor's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
soumyajit's review against another edition
read this book when i was a kid, really enjoyed it back then..
celestialwillow's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
sams84's review against another edition
3.0
Like Ronseal, this does exactly what it says on the tin (cover), telling all about the boarding school days of Tom Brown. It is of course quite ol' fashioned and very much about the empire and becoming a proper Victorian young gentleman and is very much aimed at young boys with lots of getting up to mischief and shenanigans had all round, not to mention lots of sports and one-up-man-ship and even more tea drunk (the latter of which I support wholeheartedly). I did oddly enjoy this to read, both for something a little different to my usual and for its rose-tinted view of life.
starlingtom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5