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tobysutton_long's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A very well-written book, and very appropriate for this time of year. The crazy thing is that most of the characters are very annoying, and some seem to drift in and out of the narrative for no reason, but that seems to add to its very distinctive charm. My first experience of this story was seeing a stage production in 2017, and then the series in 2020, and every medium of the tale is something special.
simonbauer's review against another edition
3.0
A cute & quick fairy-tale romp through 1900s (?) era English countryside at Christmastime. A young boy acquires a magic box with simple rules: turn the knob one way to go swift, the other to go small, and open the box to make the line between your world and fairyland go fuzzy. It feels like a book best read to someone as they're falling asleep.
dissential's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
As a child I would have loved it, and I loved the tv series when i was younger (which is why I decided to pick this up now), but there’s not enough depth in the writing to make it particularly good for adults.
Reading it to a younger child may be really rewarding, as it does have plenty going on and lots of opportunity to act out the story, and if you know children who read a lot it may be perfect for them to read alone as it’s not difficult over you get over the posh kids slang, but it may be a bit too twee for more modern youth
Reading it to a younger child may be really rewarding, as it does have plenty going on and lots of opportunity to act out the story, and if you know children who read a lot it may be perfect for them to read alone as it’s not difficult over you get over the posh kids slang, but it may be a bit too twee for more modern youth
mamatoca's review against another edition
Didn't really love this one-characters weren't memorable. It felt choppy. Maybe non-abridged is better?
patrickwreed's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
flodo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
katie666's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
novelideea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
kiwikathleen's review
2.0
I'm clearing space so am re-reading books I've had on my shelf for forever before moving them on. My copy of this book has been moving house with me for the last 40+ years, and I must assume that I'd read it and loved it when I was a child, otherwise why would the 20-something me have bought it. Sadly, this book is one that for me has not stood the test of time. As a child, and new to reading stories that involved old British myth and faerie, it would have been like reading a treasure trove. Now, however, I find it too busy and without enough focus on any of the too many characters/tales. Nor have I found any of the key characters holding my attention.
I actually wonder whether I did love it as a child, or whether I saw it 15 or so years on and was simply so reminded of my childhood and the joy of reading that I bought it, investing it with something it never originally had. I wonder that, because when I compare it with others from way back then, the vast majority have been ones that I have still loved on reading now.
I actually wonder whether I did love it as a child, or whether I saw it 15 or so years on and was simply so reminded of my childhood and the joy of reading that I bought it, investing it with something it never originally had. I wonder that, because when I compare it with others from way back then, the vast majority have been ones that I have still loved on reading now.
jrkrell's review against another edition
3.0
I kept getting distracted from this book. (Stressful time - trying to get ready to move.) The book required too much thought and I was more interested in light books that would make me laugh. Anyway, it was a disjointed read for me and I am not sure I followed or fully understood the symbolism or story line.