Reviews

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

kikip72's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

4.0

l8yk8y's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative lighthearted

2.5

alibrarymouse's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Everything about this book was beautiful and as heartwarming as it was heartbreaking. 

This was the exploration of love in its many forms, focusing on Megs and her brother, George, and their love of stories,  Narnia, and imagination. The characters were gorgeous, the stories beautifully told, and the phrasing was stunning. It’s one that sticks with you in the way All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr does. I’m in awe of the amount of respect and care that went into this story and comes out of it. 

And yes, I cried so much. It’s easy to fall in love with the characters and want things to happen differently. For there to be some sort of magic, but we find an unexpected kind. Definitely recommend this one because it’s absolutely gorgeous. 

bookworm356's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

melkbasullivan's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

thebookedpath's review against another edition

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4.0

Might need tissues! Very sweet and heart-warming. Does involve child mortality so be prepared. If this ever becomes a movie... Oh my gosh! Full of beautiful quotes and messages on how books influence us and can bring us hope.

kparkhurst's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

rgoodhart's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this. It was the perfect accompaniment to a wet and windy day after Boxing Day. I was transported to Oxford in 1950 and the story of Megs, a young student, visiting CS Lewis on behalf of her dying younger brother George. I’m trying to find answers to George’s questions about Narnia, Lewis tells Megs about his life.

Much as I enjoyed this, I was frustrated by details that were inaccurate and should have been picked up by an editor.
Items that cost so many ‘schillings’.
References to ‘residences’ rather than ‘staircases’ as would be more fitting for an Oxford College.
Somerville College spelt with a double m.
Other turns of phrase that just wouldn’t have been in use in 1950s England.

The changing narrator also frustrated me… just stick to one voice. All that said, I still enjoyed this… though I’m not sure its apparent aim of showing that everything we experience is part of our story was really as difficult as it made out!

kitkat175's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was so good and short I could not put it down, it was such a cozy and good read, I also loved that it was about my favourite book and movie.
It was so good. This book will be on my bookshelf forever, very good and a short read.
Going into this book I wasn't sure if I would have liked it, but I loved every minute of this book.
I love the cover of the book, I am going to read more of Patti's books, I have the book called
" Becoming Mrs. Lewis" on my bookshelf right now and I am excited to read it.
I would read this book again.

its_gia_pasqua's review against another edition

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5.0

I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time. It ignited a passion for reading simply to enjoy something that I forgot I had in the midst of my piles of books for school. Stories do something amazing to you.