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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I grew up with the Albert Finney film, the songs, and my first understanding of the Depression era came from it.
Only recently did I discover that the writer of the 'book' of the musical, Thomas Meehan, also wrote a book. I think I have this right - the musical and the film came first, the book came after, though it doesn't feel like a 'novelisation', even though some lines (and song lyrics) do feel artificially inserted in.
Annie is the only child at the New York orphanage to cling to a hope that her parents are coming back one day to reclaim her. At 11, she's lived under Miss Hannigan's cruel thumb all her life, but never given up her spirit or her defiance.
Managing to effect an escape one day, she goes in search of her parents, and has several run-ins with New York's underdogs, at a time of great poverty, before her path crosses with Oliver Warbucks - a billionaire looking for an orphan as a PR opportunity.
It follows the same general path as the film, a Pollyanna-like Annie brightens the lives of everyone she meets - the down-and-outs, the President, the grumpy (though he never seemed anything other than preoccupied to me) rich bachelor.
It does feel a little simplistic, looking at it overall, with some villains who only get a few scenes of 'page time' - I much prefer Miss Hannigan as a villain to the others.
Annie is a great little character though, she's plucky, smart and stands up for those around her. She's never down for long.
I liked the changes made to the filmed version, they suited the written format. It's a short-ish read, a conpetent reader would have no issues getting through this.
Being a Puffin as well, there are quizzes after the story, definitions, more information about the era's context, the author. Excellent extras.
I would hope boys as well as girls would soon take to this after a chapter, and I would says ages 8-12 would be the perfect audience.
I grew up with the Albert Finney film, the songs, and my first understanding of the Depression era came from it.
Only recently did I discover that the writer of the 'book' of the musical, Thomas Meehan, also wrote a book. I think I have this right - the musical and the film came first, the book came after, though it doesn't feel like a 'novelisation', even though some lines (and song lyrics) do feel artificially inserted in.
Annie is the only child at the New York orphanage to cling to a hope that her parents are coming back one day to reclaim her. At 11, she's lived under Miss Hannigan's cruel thumb all her life, but never given up her spirit or her defiance.
Managing to effect an escape one day, she goes in search of her parents, and has several run-ins with New York's underdogs, at a time of great poverty, before her path crosses with Oliver Warbucks - a billionaire looking for an orphan as a PR opportunity.
It follows the same general path as the film, a Pollyanna-like Annie brightens the lives of everyone she meets - the down-and-outs, the President, the grumpy (though he never seemed anything other than preoccupied to me) rich bachelor.
It does feel a little simplistic, looking at it overall, with some villains who only get a few scenes of 'page time' - I much prefer Miss Hannigan as a villain to the others.
Annie is a great little character though, she's plucky, smart and stands up for those around her. She's never down for long.
I liked the changes made to the filmed version, they suited the written format. It's a short-ish read, a conpetent reader would have no issues getting through this.
Being a Puffin as well, there are quizzes after the story, definitions, more information about the era's context, the author. Excellent extras.
I would hope boys as well as girls would soon take to this after a chapter, and I would says ages 8-12 would be the perfect audience.
coinchantal's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the book more then the musical. It also has a different story. Started this book and it was easy to follow and get my attention.
lilithsternins's review against another edition
5.0
I don't care how sappy it is I will always love this book.
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
5.0
Listened for Review (Penguin Audio)
Overall Rating: 5.00
Story Rating: 5.00
Character Rating: 5.00
Audio Rating: 5.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Annie by Thomas Meehan was a favorite of mine as a child and held the test of time!
Review Coming Soon!
Overall Rating: 5.00
Story Rating: 5.00
Character Rating: 5.00
Audio Rating: 5.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Annie by Thomas Meehan was a favorite of mine as a child and held the test of time!
Review Coming Soon!
auntiekatie21's review against another edition
4.0
i cant believe this was the first time to actually read this book! Loved it! Oh, Annie!
sincerelyyoursannie's review against another edition
4.0
12 year old Annie is an orphan. After many years she has to face the fact that her parents aren’t coming back for her.
Annie decides to run away from the orphanage in hopes of finding her parents. She soon realises that the living on the streets isn’t a fairytale, but anywhere is better than the orphanage she has spent her whole life in.
Read the full review here: https://sincerelyyoursannie.com/2021/08/09/annie-by-thomas-meehan-book-review/
Annie decides to run away from the orphanage in hopes of finding her parents. She soon realises that the living on the streets isn’t a fairytale, but anywhere is better than the orphanage she has spent her whole life in.
Read the full review here: https://sincerelyyoursannie.com/2021/08/09/annie-by-thomas-meehan-book-review/
mimiathereader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 estrelas
Este livro escrito pelo escritor do libreto de Annie, o musical mas não é esse libreto que lhe ganhou um Tony. É toda a história de Annie, a que acabou no musical e aquela que teve de ser deixada de fora para que o espetáculo não ficasse demasiado longo mais pequenas informações que não era possível mostrar em cena mas é boa é possível ler num livro.
Eu tenho uma fraquinho por este musical e pelo filme por causa daquela primeira música que gosto tanto - “Maybe” - e porque acho muito piada à nossa Annie.
Por isso, foi engraçado “vê-la” por aqui mesmo que sem “Maybe”. Mas este Thomas Meehan continuava melhor a escrever libretos em vez de passar aos livros. Enquanto a história de Annie funciona muito bem num palco ou mesmo num ecrã, para estar num livro precisava de mais miolo e de menos peripécias em que ninguém aprende nada de realmente importante ou está sequer realmente entretido - ler sobre uma perseguição da polícia ou uma festa de Natal na casa do homem mais rico do mundo sem grande descrições não é o mesmo que ver essas cenas perante os nossos próprios olhos com todos os adereços e cores que deliciam os nossos olhos.
Enfim, foi um livro assim-assim. Li-o bem mas não vai entrar para o conjunto de coisas da Annie que me fazem sorrir um bocadinho porque é Natal.
Este livro escrito pelo escritor do libreto de Annie, o musical mas não é esse libreto que lhe ganhou um Tony. É toda a história de Annie, a que acabou no musical e aquela que teve de ser deixada de fora para que o espetáculo não ficasse demasiado longo mais pequenas informações que não era possível mostrar em cena mas é boa é possível ler num livro.
Eu tenho uma fraquinho por este musical e pelo filme por causa daquela primeira música que gosto tanto - “Maybe” - e porque acho muito piada à nossa Annie.
Por isso, foi engraçado “vê-la” por aqui mesmo que sem “Maybe”. Mas este Thomas Meehan continuava melhor a escrever libretos em vez de passar aos livros. Enquanto a história de Annie funciona muito bem num palco ou mesmo num ecrã, para estar num livro precisava de mais miolo e de menos peripécias em que ninguém aprende nada de realmente importante ou está sequer realmente entretido - ler sobre uma perseguição da polícia ou uma festa de Natal na casa do homem mais rico do mundo sem grande descrições não é o mesmo que ver essas cenas perante os nossos próprios olhos com todos os adereços e cores que deliciam os nossos olhos.
Enfim, foi um livro assim-assim. Li-o bem mas não vai entrar para o conjunto de coisas da Annie que me fazem sorrir um bocadinho porque é Natal.
katembreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
kiwialexa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0