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337th out of 415 books
—
400 voters
A Vicarage Family
A fictionalized version of Noel Streatfeild's childhood.
Paperback
Published
by Puffin
(first published 1963)
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This is the first of Streatfeild's three volumes of fictionalized autobiography; in the forewords, Streatfeild claims to have changed only names (calling herself Victoria Strangeway), but she apparently changed other things as well, events and dates, to make them fit in better with her narrative.
The first book covers Vicky's childhood as one of "the vicarage girls", along with her sisters and brother. Streatfeild captures the point of view of a child nicely, as well as a more mature view into t...more
The first book covers Vicky's childhood as one of "the vicarage girls", along with her sisters and brother. Streatfeild captures the point of view of a child nicely, as well as a more mature view into t...more
I don't know that this book deserves 5 stars on any kind of literary basis. But as a lifelong "Shoes" fan, I just so enjoyed it, especially finding little bits of Noel Streatfeild's novels in this fictionalized account of her childhood. Though it wasn't a very happy childhood, all in all. Like Petrova in Ballet Shoes and Jane in Movie Shoes, she was the difficult middle child who didn't value herself because she was different. Like Santa in Circus Shoes, she played the violin very badly and coul...more
A Vicarage Family is the somewhat fictionalized account of Noel Streatfeild's life growing up in a vicarage during the years leading up to WWI.
In this novelization of her early years Noel becomes Victoria, the rebellious daughter who found life growing up in a vicarage to be very restricting. The middle of 3 sisters, and one brother, Victoria was often misunderstood or overlooked. Her older sister Isobel was artistic, meek and gentle. Louise, the younger sister was considered the beauty of the f...more
In this novelization of her early years Noel becomes Victoria, the rebellious daughter who found life growing up in a vicarage to be very restricting. The middle of 3 sisters, and one brother, Victoria was often misunderstood or overlooked. Her older sister Isobel was artistic, meek and gentle. Louise, the younger sister was considered the beauty of the f...more
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This is Noel Steatfeild's semi-autobiographical novel about her tween years growing up in England just before WWI. She was the problem child, healthy and strong-willed, sandwiched between two sisters who were less-than-healthy and better behaved than she. The writing, like the character, is a little bumpy and uneven, but it is a good coming of age story and an interesting picture of a shabby genteel family in pre-war England.
Oh my, I so remember reading this. Based, IIRC, on Streatfeild's own childhood and coming of age. We all love the naughty child, Petrova, Jo March, Peter Rabbit. I think the heroine was Vicky? And the book goes up to the 1st world war and how tragedy impacts on the family.
My first exposure to a slightly more 'grown up' story, and I read it over and over.
My first exposure to a slightly more 'grown up' story, and I read it over and over.
I really liked this book. It had all of the things that I love about Streatfeild, but without the trademark happy ending, and I was grateful for that. As it's her autobiography, and takes place partly while the first world war is going on, it would have felt far less authentic if the war hadn't affected the story at all. Got the second book on order at the library?
The first of a trilogy of autobiography, although the names were changed to make the author "more comfortable" about writing it. Fascinating and a little dark.
First in a three-book memoir of Noel Streatfeild's childhood. It is reminiscent of all her "Shoes" books, particularly of the Bell Family.
Fictionalized memoir by Noel Streatfeild, author of the beloved Shoes books, about growing up a vicar's daughter before the first world war. She tells the story of Vicky, the difficult middle daughter, and steps back to talk about social mores, her mother's attitudes about her daughters, and other interesting things. I read this about 30 years ago and remember liking it then.
Some very sad stuff, as books set around the first world war tend to have, but worth it.
I'm about to read her other autobi...more
Some very sad stuff, as books set around the first world war tend to have, but worth it.
I'm about to read her other autobi...more
Reading this, it is easy to see why Streatfeild is so successful at writing for children -- she clearly has a strong memory of what it felt like to be a child. Unlike her own father, she does not idealize her home or the behavior of herself and her siblings. Imaginative, stubborn, humorous, resentful, and self-conscious, "Vicky" did not fit well with her pious and well-behaved family. She paints a fascinating picture of daily life for impoverished but upper class English families before the firs...more
1963 edition, hardback.
Another charming book by Noel Streatfeild, admittedly autobiographical. Now that I've read it for the first time, I can sort of "see" her character in her other books which I remember and am reading. I did especially enjoy the historical-fiction aspects of the book.
I was glad to find, from the list at the end, that calling all those books "Such-and-Such Shoes" was merely the fault of the Americans, and that the British titles actually had proper names. I mean "Ballet Shoes...more
Another charming book by Noel Streatfeild, admittedly autobiographical. Now that I've read it for the first time, I can sort of "see" her character in her other books which I remember and am reading. I did especially enjoy the historical-fiction aspects of the book.
I was glad to find, from the list at the end, that calling all those books "Such-and-Such Shoes" was merely the fault of the Americans, and that the British titles actually had proper names. I mean "Ballet Shoes...more
1 like · like · see review
May 20, 2012
Nerina
added it
lovely story, didnt want it to end - mow i want to find an autobiography
Though I'm reading them out of order (I read "On Tour" earlier this year), I adored this fictionalizedmemoir of Noel Stretfeld. It has literally been years since I've read he famous Shoe books, but it's time to pick them back up.
The main character, Victoria, is not a good girl. She gets annoyed, she gets jealous, she feels left out of things. But it's that mythical time in England before the first World War, before the entire world turned over.
Highly recommended. Charming, delightful, and the en...more
The main character, Victoria, is not a good girl. She gets annoyed, she gets jealous, she feels left out of things. But it's that mythical time in England before the first World War, before the entire world turned over.
Highly recommended. Charming, delightful, and the en...more
As it says, and autobiographical story of Streatfield's early life as a rector's daughter. Her relationsip with her mother seems particularly difficult.
Really enjoyed this autobiographical yet slightly fictionalised telling of Streatfeild's life. It was interesting seeing glimpses of some of her characters come out, especially Grand-Nanny. I keep wanting to get back to it, back to the world and people she lived with.
Feb 27, 2010
Caitlinleah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
the-blitz-or-world-war-ii,
london-or-brittish
i love her so hard. i need to re-read all thes shoes books now.
1 like · like · see review
May 03, 2013
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John (Spoilers!) | 1 | 5 | Oct 14, 2010 07:04pm |
Mary Noel Streatfeild, known as Noel Streatfeild, was an author, most famous for her children's books including Ballet Shoes. Several of her novels have been adapted for film or television.
Noel Streatfeild was born on Christmas Eve, 1895, the daughter of William Champion Streatfeild and Janet Venn. Noel was the second of six children to be born to the couple who had married two years earlier. Ruth...more
More about Noel Streatfeild...
Noel Streatfeild was born on Christmas Eve, 1895, the daughter of William Champion Streatfeild and Janet Venn. Noel was the second of six children to be born to the couple who had married two years earlier. Ruth...more
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Nov 01, 2008 03:05pm