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elisakissa's review against another edition
2.0
I had a seriously hard time getting through this, not going to lie. The story is quaint and lovely, although very predictable.
gertrude314's review
4.0
I read this when I was a child and it remained my favorite book for a long time. I was a little hesitant to possibly ruin childhood memories by rereading it, but it lived up to them (except for the father worship, which is hard to stomach). I'm not into children's tales as much anymore, but the theme of triumph over bad rulers and circumstances is still desirable as an adult.
expertfisherfox's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
sarah_emtage's review
2.0
Well I didn't love it.
I have all kinds of respect for Frances Hodgson Burnett, but this is miles behind Secret Garden and Little Princess.
If you love this book I have no wish to take that away from you, but I'm going to indulge in some ranting that you're not obligated to read.
There's a reason kid protagonists are frequently orphans. It allows them to go on dangerous adventures without the parents being neglectful. In this story, the dad literally sends two thirteen year-old kids (who worship him) to travel across Europe on their own, begging for their livelihood and delivering secret messages while dangerous spies who are willing to harm them are on their trail. Every adult who discovers this arrangement is a little shocked, but then decides it must be okay because the dad "Mr. Perfect" said so.
And yet for all the spies and intrigues this story is actually quite dull (and repetitive). This may be because the author's priority is to present her belief system rather that make it exciting.
When I read stories that are this didactic about messages I actually believe, I feel a little second-hand embarrassment at the lack of subtlety. I didn't feel so much embarrassed with this book because I don't believe in the saving power of self-will or the "god within" but I eye-rolled a bit at how awkwardly these messages were inserted into the story.
The Rat could have been an interesting character. He's got flaws, a tragic backstory/situation, cleverness and great leadership instincts, but after meeting our main characters he very quickly loses every shred of his dignity and actually begs to clean Loristan's boots. I'm not sorry that the Rat becomes less resentful and less inclined to approve of torture, but if he could also retain a shred of self-respect I would have appreciated that.
Additional observations:
Seeing how easy it was to save Somavia in the end, I feel like it shouldn't have waited hundreds of years to do it.
The Dad letting his kid frequently go without food because he was too proud to accept the money his supporters offered him is bad parenting.
There's a lot of hero worship/monarch worship that frequently made me cringe (and I'm a monarchist).
If you're going to save your big reveal for the very end of the book maybe don't make it obvious in the first chapter and repeatedly hint at it nearly every page? It makes the characters seem severely stupid and their supposed to be unusually clever.
Lazarus (and others) are super mean to the land lady. She's just concerned about getting her rent okay? Just because you're secretly royalty doesn't give you the right to be offended and aggressive to the extent of actually scaring her!
I have all kinds of respect for Frances Hodgson Burnett, but this is miles behind Secret Garden and Little Princess.
If you love this book I have no wish to take that away from you, but I'm going to indulge in some ranting that you're not obligated to read.
There's a reason kid protagonists are frequently orphans. It allows them to go on dangerous adventures without the parents being neglectful. In this story, the dad literally sends two thirteen year-old kids (who worship him) to travel across Europe on their own, begging for their livelihood and delivering secret messages while dangerous spies who are willing to harm them are on their trail. Every adult who discovers this arrangement is a little shocked, but then decides it must be okay because the dad "Mr. Perfect" said so.
And yet for all the spies and intrigues this story is actually quite dull (and repetitive). This may be because the author's priority is to present her belief system rather that make it exciting.
When I read stories that are this didactic about messages I actually believe, I feel a little second-hand embarrassment at the lack of subtlety. I didn't feel so much embarrassed with this book because I don't believe in the saving power of self-will or the "god within" but I eye-rolled a bit at how awkwardly these messages were inserted into the story.
The Rat could have been an interesting character. He's got flaws, a tragic backstory/situation, cleverness and great leadership instincts, but after meeting our main characters he very quickly loses every shred of his dignity and actually begs to clean Loristan's boots. I'm not sorry that the Rat becomes less resentful and less inclined to approve of torture, but if he could also retain a shred of self-respect I would have appreciated that.
Additional observations:
Seeing how easy it was to save Somavia in the end, I feel like it shouldn't have waited hundreds of years to do it.
The Dad letting his kid frequently go without food because he was too proud to accept the money his supporters offered him is bad parenting.
There's a lot of hero worship/monarch worship that frequently made me cringe (and I'm a monarchist).
If you're going to save your big reveal for the very end of the book maybe don't make it obvious in the first chapter and repeatedly hint at it nearly every page? It makes the characters seem severely stupid and their supposed to be unusually clever.
Lazarus (and others) are super mean to the land lady. She's just concerned about getting her rent okay? Just because you're secretly royalty doesn't give you the right to be offended and aggressive to the extent of actually scaring her!
klimeido's review
4.0
This was a slow start for me and didn‘t really pike my interest until I began to realise who the characters were becoming and where the story might eventually be heading to. Being a story with mainly male characters and seldom a female was a bit difficult to adjust to knowing Frances Hodgson Burnett‘s other classic stories. The farher was almost too good to be true, the naivety of the two boys got to me alittle and their adventure across Europe was perhaps a bit farfetched, all in all it had some fairytale qualities to it and did keep me mesmerized towards the end.
scoutmomskf's review
5.0
This is one of my all-time favorite children's books, even though I didn't discover it until I was an adult. There is something immensely appealing about a story where even a twelve-year-old boy can significantly affect the world around him. Early on, we learn that Marco, his father, Stefan, and their servant Lazarus are Samavian nationals in exile from their beloved country. They travel from country to country, are very poor, and there is some mystery to their lifestyle. Marco and his father are very close. Marco's love for his father is evident in everything he does. Stefan's love for Marco is equally apparent, as is a different sort of protectiveness than is seen in most families. I loved the trust that Stefan showed Marco and the respectful interest he showed in the things that Marco told him.
Marco learned from a very young age how to be quiet about their lives. Though well-traveled, when living in a country, he appears to be from that country. If they return to a city after time away, they live in a new area and do not visit old neighborhoods. Marco has learned to entertain himself and knows the pleasures of free libraries and free days at museums. Once in a while, he makes a friend during their time in a city. Here, Marco has just moved to London and has gone exploring to learn about his new neighborhood and refresh his memories of the city. He stumbles on a group of boys known as "The Squad," led by a disabled boy known as The Rat.
Jem Ratcliffe is the son of a former schoolmaster who has fallen on hard times and taken to drinking. The Rat is fascinated by military and war-related things and has trained his "men" in drilling and maneuvers. His first encounter with Marco begins with him throwing a rock at Marco and ends with an unexpected friendship. Marco and The Rat bond over their love of Samavia, though The Rat only knows about it from what is in the newspapers. The Rat has an amazingly vivid and complex imagination and creates a game that involves two boys who spread the word of a Lost Prince found and a throne to take back.
Meanwhile, Stefan and Lazarus are seen to be involved in something highly secretive. As the news of Samavia becomes more dire, their fears for their homeland grow. There is also a glimmer of hope that a descendant of their Lost Prince could be found and restored to the throne. Stefan is interested in hearing about his son's new friend and is intrigued by The Game they play, even making the occasional suggestion.
When The Rat's father dies, he goes to Marco and Stefan for help. I loved the kindness and compassion that Stefan showed the boy and its effect on him. The Rat's reaction was perhaps a little excessive, but Stefan often had that effect on people. He was stunned when Stefan invited him to join their family. As things go from bad to worse in Samavia, we see an increase in Stefan's secret activities, and that Marco also plays a part. With The Rat's arrival, he, too, is included.
The tension of the book picks up when Stefan turns The Game into the real thing. Still under the guise of make-believe, he gives the boys tasks to learn and carry out, all in the spirit of pretend. Both boys sense that it has moved beyond that and are proved right when Stefan asks them to become the Bearers of the Sign. The powers-that-be believe that two boys can do things that would be suspicious in grown men. Even after reading the book many times, I am always glued to the pages as Marco and The Rat make their way across Europe, delivering their message. From the poor to the powerful, each recipient has their place. I love the descriptions of where they go and what they have to do each time. There are challenges to overcome, and no small amount of danger. The last stop is an emotional one and adds another piece to the reader's puzzle, and while The Rat suspects the truth, Marco is strangely oblivious. Quest completed, they return to London, only to find that Stefan is not there. I loved the building tension as they wait for word from him. I loved the conclusion and Marco's joy at being reunited with Stefan.
Written in 1915, it is easy to see the influences of the time on the story. Class differences are evident. Marco and Stefan are obviously of the upper class despite their impoverished circumstances. Stefan's commanding presence is made much of, as is Marco's demeanor. While The Rat isn't quite on the level they are because his father "used to be a gentleman," he is seen as a bit above his "Squad" members. Current events of the day appear to have influenced the setting, and the names have a definite Slavic influence. There are some hints of mysticism, also a big deal during that time.
Marco learned from a very young age how to be quiet about their lives. Though well-traveled, when living in a country, he appears to be from that country. If they return to a city after time away, they live in a new area and do not visit old neighborhoods. Marco has learned to entertain himself and knows the pleasures of free libraries and free days at museums. Once in a while, he makes a friend during their time in a city. Here, Marco has just moved to London and has gone exploring to learn about his new neighborhood and refresh his memories of the city. He stumbles on a group of boys known as "The Squad," led by a disabled boy known as The Rat.
Jem Ratcliffe is the son of a former schoolmaster who has fallen on hard times and taken to drinking. The Rat is fascinated by military and war-related things and has trained his "men" in drilling and maneuvers. His first encounter with Marco begins with him throwing a rock at Marco and ends with an unexpected friendship. Marco and The Rat bond over their love of Samavia, though The Rat only knows about it from what is in the newspapers. The Rat has an amazingly vivid and complex imagination and creates a game that involves two boys who spread the word of a Lost Prince found and a throne to take back.
Meanwhile, Stefan and Lazarus are seen to be involved in something highly secretive. As the news of Samavia becomes more dire, their fears for their homeland grow. There is also a glimmer of hope that a descendant of their Lost Prince could be found and restored to the throne. Stefan is interested in hearing about his son's new friend and is intrigued by The Game they play, even making the occasional suggestion.
When The Rat's father dies, he goes to Marco and Stefan for help. I loved the kindness and compassion that Stefan showed the boy and its effect on him. The Rat's reaction was perhaps a little excessive, but Stefan often had that effect on people. He was stunned when Stefan invited him to join their family. As things go from bad to worse in Samavia, we see an increase in Stefan's secret activities, and that Marco also plays a part. With The Rat's arrival, he, too, is included.
The tension of the book picks up when Stefan turns The Game into the real thing. Still under the guise of make-believe, he gives the boys tasks to learn and carry out, all in the spirit of pretend. Both boys sense that it has moved beyond that and are proved right when Stefan asks them to become the Bearers of the Sign. The powers-that-be believe that two boys can do things that would be suspicious in grown men. Even after reading the book many times, I am always glued to the pages as Marco and The Rat make their way across Europe, delivering their message. From the poor to the powerful, each recipient has their place. I love the descriptions of where they go and what they have to do each time. There are challenges to overcome, and no small amount of danger. The last stop is an emotional one and adds another piece to the reader's puzzle, and while The Rat suspects the truth, Marco is strangely oblivious. Quest completed, they return to London, only to find that Stefan is not there. I loved the building tension as they wait for word from him. I loved the conclusion and Marco's joy at being reunited with Stefan.
Written in 1915, it is easy to see the influences of the time on the story. Class differences are evident. Marco and Stefan are obviously of the upper class despite their impoverished circumstances. Stefan's commanding presence is made much of, as is Marco's demeanor. While The Rat isn't quite on the level they are because his father "used to be a gentleman," he is seen as a bit above his "Squad" members. Current events of the day appear to have influenced the setting, and the names have a definite Slavic influence. There are some hints of mysticism, also a big deal during that time.
leahegood's review against another edition
5.0
Marco has grown up traveling the world, but he and his father remain loyal to their home country, Samavia. When his father sends Marco on an important journey for their country, Marco and his faithful friend set off, hoping that one day, their prince will return.
I love this story! The JourneyForth version is best, because it skips some buddhist stuff. Marco is a fun character to spend time with and the story is interesting. It's also refreshing (in both this book and Burnett's A Little Princess to see children having a good relationship with their parents. Definitely a re-read.
I love this story! The JourneyForth version is best, because it skips some buddhist stuff. Marco is a fun character to spend time with and the story is interesting. It's also refreshing (in both this book and Burnett's A Little Princess to see children having a good relationship with their parents. Definitely a re-read.
emilyusuallyreading's review
2.0
In many ways, this is quite similar to The Little Princess, which is one of my favorite books of all time. However, The Lost Prince did not capture my attention. It was obviously written to appeal for boys, which is perhaps why it did not attract my attention, but the twist ending seemed so contrived and predictable that I guessed it from the first chapter.
There are memorable characters within the book, and I always love Burnett's portrayals of the relationship between father and child.
The Lost Prince didn't hit the mark for me. Perhaps if I were younger and a boy.
There are memorable characters within the book, and I always love Burnett's portrayals of the relationship between father and child.
The Lost Prince didn't hit the mark for me. Perhaps if I were younger and a boy.
karissakate's review
3.0
I love Burnett's ability to write from a child's perspective. I felt that this particular story was a bit drawn out at times, but whenever I found myself having those thoughts, the plot line was soon given a little twist or tweak to keep it exciting. It was very predictable but remained enticing because of her ability to convey the innocence and excitement of childhood like few others have.