Genre: Childrens, Classic
Published: January 26th, 2016
Pages: 320
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Alone in a new country, wealthy Sara Crewe tries to settle in and make friends at boarding school. But when she learns that she'll never see her beloved father gain, her life is turned upside down. Transformed from princess to pauper, she must swap dancing lessons and luxury for hard work and a room in the attic. Will she find that kindness and genorosity are all the riches she truly needs?
"If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a
princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess
if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great
deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when
no one knows it.”
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Review:
While my parents did read to me a great deal while growing up, I unfortunately did not read many children’s classics. I’ve been trying to make up for that over the last few years. So I finally picked up A Little Princess this past month. Strangely, my library doesn’t have a copy (not even A Secret Garden!) so I bought a copy and anxiously awaited it’s delivery. If any of you follow the Instagram account for this blog, you’ve probably noticed an immense influx of a certain beautiful cover. ;) This is a novel that every child should be read. Heck, adults would benefit greatly from this. We could use more princesses and scullery maids in the world.
There’s something nice in the simplicity of the novel. A Little Princess is a feel good novel full of fluffiness despite the gloom that befalls Sara Crewe, the protagonist, and I even found myself ready to sob on many occasions. I like to think that the best books are the ones that tug at all of our heart’s strings.
Every chapter there’s a handful of scenes that I feel in love with. Easily, this book has more of my favorite quotes than any other. The kind of beautiful combination of words that makes me want to share my findings with everyone around me—stranger or friend. The author’s writing style is a true expression of art. Like many works in Children’s Literature, A Little Princess is a book that begs to be read aloud. Actually, when I was alone, I did read out loud! The words flow so well that doing so made the experience that much more enjoyable, which is why I recommend future readers of this novel should share the experience with a friend.
The characters are simple in that they are easy to understand. I mean, the author actually states that certain characters are kind, harsh, or a little stupid, but everyone’s got their own arc to show that they aren’t JUST kind, harsh, or stupid. Everyone is a princess, but we aren’t perfect, and I found this message to be a beautiful one.
Children’s Literature typically always has a greater theme going on—some moral to teach kids—and The Little Princess is no exception; however, this “moral compass” comes with a twist. When Sara lost her father and fortune, I expected the great lesson to be that if you’re a good person, money and all of your wishes will come true. This is partially true since that is what happens (and that’s no great spoiler), but the overarching message is to be a princess. I don’t mean a royalty by that, but someone royal in heart, which we are given a great many deal of examples of such. It inspired me to become more like Sara; it’s never too late to be a better person.
A Little Princess is suddenly so near and dear to me. I want to share the book with others, but I don’t think I can bare to part with it. Readers of Matilda or Anne of Green Gables will find a nostalgic pleasure in reading this classic. Those unfamiliar with those novels will still find a pleasure in the simpleness. I hope to pass this novel along to every young girl and boy in my lifetime, and I hope you do the same.
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
All Around Idea: 5/5
Total: 5/5
studyncats replied to your post “oh boy yesterday was A Day. I was talking to my sister about how I’m...”
I can't really help you with such a big decision, but I'd like to summarize what I've learned:
• aim for a specific job; extremely specific science paths have a worse hiring rate than extremely specific humanities.
• do something you love or the stress will kill you. If you can't handle working with the neurological ticks of a bunch of people, you won't help them or you, and you won't go anywhere in that career.
•It's your money (loans) :. your future, your choice.
withherheadinabook replied to your post “oh boy yesterday was A Day. I was talking to my sister about how I’m...”
What studyncats said is great. But if you CAN handle neurological ticks and people in general, you could stick with this, get a job in the field, and still go back to school for science. A LOT of people do that! But that also means a longer time until you have that dream job.
I've got a few specific careers lined up! Right now I’m looking at engineering psychologist, consumer psychologist, human factors engineering, or psychiatrist. At this point, all sound interesting and none of them are more appealing than the other. My only qualm with psychiatry is that I really don’t want to go through med school + residency, but I think I’ll enjoy the actual career. I just kind of need to figure out where I am going so A) I can finalize my concentration in psychology so I can graduate on time and B) I actually know what I’m working towards. A lot of my hesitation is also the fear of choosing the wrong thing? Like what if I go into consumer psychology and I absolutely hate it. What if I go the psychiatrist route and I just can’t get past med school? I just have a lot of things I need to figure out about my future before this year ends and it’s getting to be Too Much.
Also, thank you both for your replies! You’ve definitely given me a lot of great points to consider!
Raise your hand if you’re the kind of reader who is currently reading too many books at once!! 🙋
♢
I like to say I’m only currently reading one book, but I have five “on hold,” waiting for me to return to them. Even though I’ll probably never pick up one of those books again, I just can’t give up on them! Also, happy #SockSunday! 👟
I love when I see my own posts back on my dashboard. Like, we went full circle, guys. We did it. Thanks. And then I fist pump the air like no one is looking (because no one is looking).
It's the strangest feeling when you go to a bookstore and can't find ANYTHING you want to buy. Like, I'm here with the intent to buy something. LET ME THROW MY MONEY AT YOU, BOOKSTORE!
