Mistress Masham's Repose (New York Review Children's Collection)
by T.H. White
published
June 30th 2004
by NewYorkReviewChildren's Collection
edit
binding
Hardcover, 255 pages
isbn
1590171039
(isbn13: 9781590171035)
description
"She saw: first, a square opening, about eight inches wide, in the lowest step...finally she saw that there was a walnut shell, or half one, outs...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 106)
recommended to Ascexis by:
Ravurian
I liked this, don't get me wrong. But it's a flawed story, and while I enjoyed it, I found myself skipping or rolling my eyes at chunks.
It reads like an elderly professor telling a story to a favoured niece/nephew, and for all I know it was. It doesn't read like something intended for publication, it's bitty, weirdly paced, very episodic, has sporadic digressions into fairly dry subjects and asides, and then finishes up with a rush of an action adventure ending, as though the author suddenl...more
It reads like an elderly professor telling a story to a favoured niece/nephew, and for all I know it was. It doesn't read like something intended for publication, it's bitty, weirdly paced, very episodic, has sporadic digressions into fairly dry subjects and asides, and then finishes up with a rush of an action adventure ending, as though the author suddenl...more
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
Delightful novelty from the author of The Once and Future King about a lonely little girl on an English country estate who discovers a lost colony of Lilliputians living on an ornamental island in the lake. There are some gentle, Merlinesque lessons here about the responsibilities of power and the benefits of mutual respect, but they're managed gracefully in the background, and White's light, slightly wry touch with his story...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Totally charming tale of a spunky orphan with evil guardians, requisite crumbling ancestral manse,garden folly inhabited by tiny mythical creatures, etc. Think Joan Aiken's Black Hearts at Battersea meets Northanger Abbey, a little. This is what Lemony Snicket WISHED he could write! Much more akin to "The Water-Babies" than to Gulliver's Travels at all despite the fact that it revolves around the same Lilliputians! Great companion to Mitford sisters...and little girls will come up ...more
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
grown-up fond of Pippi and The Borrowers; spunky, advanced, imaginative young readers.
I thought it strange that I had never heard of this book, being a fan of TH White and children's literature; this might have been reason for suspicion but the book turned out delightfully.
I think it is perhaps a little too grown up for many young readers but Maria, the protagonist, and all the supporting characters (including the exiles Lilliputians) are charming and captivating. Good for reading out loud!
I am not sure why this is not better known but I'm pleased to be able to add it to my ...more
I think it is perhaps a little too grown up for many young readers but Maria, the protagonist, and all the supporting characters (including the exiles Lilliputians) are charming and captivating. Good for reading out loud!
I am not sure why this is not better known but I'm pleased to be able to add it to my ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Maria, an orphan, who lives in a huge falling down palace while slowly being bilked out of her money by her guardian and governess, has her life enlivened when she discovers Lilliputians living an the estate. With the help of an elderly professor and her new minituature friends her fortunes are restored.
The story has a very uneven pace and I skipped huge portions but the language is lovely. " Maria ran around like a wild puppy shaking the slipper of her imagination" The governe...more
The story has a very uneven pace and I skipped huge portions but the language is lovely. " Maria ran around like a wild puppy shaking the slipper of her imagination" The governe...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2001
Lilliputians stowed away to England with Jonathan Swift, and have set up home in a folly on an estate. Then they are discovered by Maria an orphan who has inherited the house. Together they fight against Maria's evil relatives who scheme to steal her inheritance, and capture the Lilliputians and show them for money.
A bit longer than it needed to be, but an intriguing premise.
A bit longer than it needed to be, but an intriguing premise.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1969
What a thrill to find a hardbound version of this book: my 30+-year-old paperback is getting very ratty.
If you haven't discovered this story of a girl, mistreated by her governess and her escape into the grounds of the Palace of Malplaquet to play with some hidden... well, any more would ruin the surprise and pleasure.
If you haven't discovered this story of a girl, mistreated by her governess and her escape into the grounds of the Palace of Malplaquet to play with some hidden... well, any more would ruin the surprise and pleasure.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
An excellent sort of fairy tale that does not talk down to kids at all. Orphaned Maria, beleaguered by cruel and incompetent guardians and with only a slightly dotty Professor to love, discovers a lost colony of Lilliputians on an overgrown island in the middle of her family's ruined estate and her life is transformed.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 1972
My grandma read this to my mom when she was about 7, and my mom read it to me when I was about 5 or 6. I still own the copy that was read in both cases (although the cover is falling off). I read a chapter to my younger son awhile ago when he was home sick, but we never got back to it.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1988
Refugees from Lilliput settle on a British estate! Evil relatives and appointed guardians foil our heroine! This book is brilliant, amazing, a million good things! One of my childhood favorites.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Couldn't decide whether to give this 4 or 5 stars, so I'll just give it 5. It's beautifully written, clever, and made me laugh out loud several times. Another classic British children's book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
Another Juvenile book recommended by the librarian. It is very imaginative and fun. Appropriate for any child. I think little girls would enjoy this book. It was a fun read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Fantastic children's book. One great chapter with a series of exploding mechanical horse-shaped machines (cigarette dispensers, etc).
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
The best read-aloud for parent and children 8+. An imaginative adult will enjoy this just as much as the children!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I love this book. I love giving it to medium size children (8-12 years old), especially girls.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
For some reason I always think I'm the only person who has read this.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2005
this is part of one of my projects - the NYRB children's books.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1998
recommends it for:
Everyone!
One of my all-time favorite storeis, ever.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
