I have no idea how to rate this.

The artwork is lovely. Really beautiful!

The story depressed me. I think the end isn’t supposed to be depressing but I can think of a few interpretations and one of them I find depressing. Not only do I find it depressing but I don’t like it. And it’s the one that makes the most sense too.

When I first noticed this book via GR friend Hilary I was almost certain I have read it as a child. Reading it now I can’t recall anything from it and I don’t think I read anything that dark when I was very young (except Hansel and Gretel maybe) so I doubt I’ve read it before now.

For me right now maybe it wasn’t the right book at the right time because it was too gloomy and sad for me to enjoy the story. I loved the artwork though.

I would not recommend this book to most of the children I know because of its desolate melancholy story. Yes the ending was cheerful and even a tad amusing if you want to make certain interpretations and I think most children would, but there is so much despair throughout until the end.

5 stars for the artwork. Even though well written and effective for enjoyment only 2 stars for the story. 3-1/2 stars from me on this day. I’m glad I read it today and not 55 or 60 years ago. I would have been too sensitive for it then, I think.

Everybody seems to like it much more than I did so go read other reviews!!

Read on Open Library.