Reviews

Mary Poppins Opens the Door by P.L. Travers

lisakerd's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Travers found a formula that worked in the first Mary Poppins book and never strayed from it. Hence, by the third book the storyline is quite repetitive and predictable. Mary Poppins is always the center of attention, and always gaslights the children after each adventure, denying it ever took place. Also, her arrogant, sour demeanor grows tiresome.

loves_nurse's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This was a struggle to tell the difference between book 2 and 3. This book uses dated language and patriarchal circumstances to tell the story of Mary Poppins coming back to her Banks Family.  Mary is more contradictory in this book. 

robbynjreeve's review

Go to review page

3.0

As charming as the first 2.

jokerliss13's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

lyssidee's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

blong_books's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

mschrock8's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Creative and full of imagination and silly stories!

Borrowed on Hoopla through JCPL.

Listening length five hr 32 min

natwebb's review

Go to review page

5.0

another fabulous one, I especially enjoyed her version of robinson crusoe, humpty dumpty, and all the characters of the green fairy book, which is mentioned by name. I also enjoyed the blurb about guy fawkes in the beginning, as i’m unfamiliar with that holiday.

ravenn15's review against another edition

Go to review page

Characters were really inconsistent 

missbryden's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Rating and enjoyment: the adventures are repetition of a pattern, which doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but then they always seemed spoiled by none of the characters being likeable. The under the sea adventure seemed familiar from the movie(s), but I can’t remember if there was similar in an earlier book.
Disappointing content:
In the first chapter the sweep is called a “Hindoo” by servant Mrs. Brill, “black heathen” by the servant Ellen, and Mary Poppins accuses the children of “looking like Blackamoors” when the sweep has been caring for them and they’ve been setting off fireworks, and otherwise also his and their black hands and faces - all just because he’s sooty?! One can only imagine (or perhaps can in fact see) how they'd feel about actual non-white people.
And then there’s Robinson Crusoe and “his man Friday” come to life in chapter seven when Friday is dehumanised - I don’t know the original, so I don’t know how much is drawn from that but it’s bad: “Behind him, with an armful of furs, stood a black, half-naked figure. “Friday,” said the bearded man. “Oblige me by giving this lady a coat.”
“Suttinly, Massa! Ah aims to please!” And the great black creature, with a graceful movement, flung a sealskin cloak about Jane’s shoulders.”