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claudiamccarron's review
5.0
Probably paid far too much for a second-hand copy of this, but it was worth it. I came away with interesting perspectives on some old favorites, a list of unread books to seek out, and memories of others, like The Lantern Bearers and The White Isle, that I haven't thought of in years.
The subtitle is correct--this is a very joyful book, which makes reading the afterword, where Bodger mentions that she lost her daughter to a brain tumor while her husband and son slipped into schizophrenia, wrenching. It gives the book a more melancholy feel, but also makes that joy deeply important.
The subtitle is correct--this is a very joyful book, which makes reading the afterword, where Bodger mentions that she lost her daughter to a brain tumor while her husband and son slipped into schizophrenia, wrenching. It gives the book a more melancholy feel, but also makes that joy deeply important.
leesmyth's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet story of a family of four on a pre-internet quest to find the literary landscapes, gardens, and buildings that had seized their imaginations. From a modern perspective, they are almost comically underprepared -- they have few leads and few concrete plans (even for accommodations), naively counting on help from the locals.
One very charming note - the little one, Lucy (age 2), takes it for granted that they can walk into the pages of her favorite picture-books.
The Afterword offers an interesting corrective for those who imagine this memoir depicts an ideal family on an idyllic travel-quest; the author shares several misfortunes (including illness and divorce) that followed on the heels of the adventure and its publication. A reminder, if needed, that any memoir presents only a particular slice of the story, for particular purposes.
I've given it 3 stars, since I liked it; those who are in love with more of the books under discussion will like it even more.
One very charming note - the little one, Lucy (age 2), takes it for granted that they can walk into the pages of her favorite picture-books.
The Afterword offers an interesting corrective for those who imagine this memoir depicts an ideal family on an idyllic travel-quest; the author shares several misfortunes (including illness and divorce) that followed on the heels of the adventure and its publication. A reminder, if needed, that any memoir presents only a particular slice of the story, for particular purposes.
I've given it 3 stars, since I liked it; those who are in love with more of the books under discussion will like it even more.
rachelsnowden's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a fun read! Her writing is whimsical and quirky, at times, and the journey through British land of children's literature was absolutely delightful!
ehays84's review against another edition
4.0
This book is somewhat of a mixed bag. I greatly respect it and find myself loving parts of it because it's the sort of book I could and would like to write myself. It's a family journey based on love of children's literature and lots of research. Perfect.
But also because it's something I could do, I found myself being critical of it at times. But then again, she actually did it, and I don't know if I ever would.
I'm not often the one to say this since I study history and often read out of copyright books from another era, but some of this book just is dated. For example, she gets into illustrations of certain stories so much, which means she's focusing on books that may be hard to get a hold of now, that our appreciation of her work is limited.
All in all, though, as an Anglophile myself, this is a must read.
P.S. Learning about her personal history shortly after this book was completed was kind of horrifying and sort of shook me, given the idyllic nature of this family trip. Her young daughter died of a brain tumor, her husband developed schizophrenia resulting in their divorce, and her son disappeared into the streets of San Francisco. Wow, poor woman. I can't even imagine. But she kept on working and writing despite all that so good for her.
But also because it's something I could do, I found myself being critical of it at times. But then again, she actually did it, and I don't know if I ever would.
I'm not often the one to say this since I study history and often read out of copyright books from another era, but some of this book just is dated. For example, she gets into illustrations of certain stories so much, which means she's focusing on books that may be hard to get a hold of now, that our appreciation of her work is limited.
All in all, though, as an Anglophile myself, this is a must read.
P.S. Learning about her personal history shortly after this book was completed was kind of horrifying and sort of shook me, given the idyllic nature of this family trip. Her young daughter died of a brain tumor, her husband developed schizophrenia resulting in their divorce, and her son disappeared into the streets of San Francisco. Wow, poor woman. I can't even imagine. But she kept on working and writing despite all that so good for her.
nemyp's review
3.75
Very good, fairly cute, though the writing varies and can be quite dense at times.
The afterword was probably my favourite part.
There were a few parts that I (generation z) find “absolutely baffling” in that I have never known a world where those actions would be normal or acceptable. (Thinking of how they let their 8 year old stay alone, over night, above a bar in an unfamiliar country… wack) also, small moments that are racist by the standards of 2023. I know I shouldn’t judge it by that but my heart did kinda stutter
The afterword was probably my favourite part.
There were a few parts that I (generation z) find “absolutely baffling” in that I have never known a world where those actions would be normal or acceptable.
nita83's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This book takes you on an adventure through England, discovering story settings and the homes of authors. I especially enjoyed the places from books I have read and now have a list of books to read that I have not read.
couillac's review
3.0
I enjoyed this one, though it made me want to do more research into early British children's literature. Beatrix Potter and the Wind in the Willows I know, but many others are just not familiar enough for me to visualize the artwork and stories that inspired this journey. Still, I envy them their experiences and enjoyed the humor and obvious joy they found in their trip. This edition is also nice for the afterword in which the author discusses life after the trip and how this book was received.
emmkayt's review
5.0
A wonderful memoir of an American family's trip to Britain in the 1950s with their young children, to seek out the places represented in British children's books. They drive about staying in inns and B and B's, they camp in a caravan for a couple of weeks, they "mess about in boats" Swallows-and-Amazons-style, they hunt for Toad Hall and Avalon and The Enchanted Place in Winnie-the-Pooh. There are digressions (for example, about thatch), and frustrations (rain, laundry, dead ends), and it is clear that doing research on the fly before the Internet with a 9 and a 2 year old in tow was sometimes less than reliable. I was familiar with some but not all of the books, but it didn't matter. I enjoyed it tremendously. Quite magical.