book data
584 ratings, 4.18 average rating, 83 reviews
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published
2000
(first published 1962)
by Delacorte Press
binding
Hardcover, 192 pages
isbn
0385327900
(isbn13: 9780385327909)
description
Illustrated by Pat Marriott.
Wicked wolves and a grim governess threaten Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia when Bonnie's parents leave Willoughby Chase ...more
Wicked wolves and a grim governess threaten Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia when Bonnie's parents leave Willoughby Chase ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 735)
This is terrible but wonderful.
It's really a book that was published for young adults or kids, but published in 1962 so the idea of what constitutes entertaining literature for youngsters is really rather dated.
I think the author was more influenced by Edward Gorey and his odd, brilliant little books than she was by some of the other palpable influences, like Dickens and other masters of "waif literature."
It's the story of a rich little "waif" (so not a true waif,...more
It's really a book that was published for young adults or kids, but published in 1962 so the idea of what constitutes entertaining literature for youngsters is really rather dated.
I think the author was more influenced by Edward Gorey and his odd, brilliant little books than she was by some of the other palpable influences, like Dickens and other masters of "waif literature."
It's the story of a rich little "waif" (so not a true waif,...more
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Read in April, 2008
I read this book thinking, "I wish this had been around when I was younger..." Well, this is a foolish thought because the books were around when I was a child, and have been around for awhile.
Any books for children that feature a mixture of Georgian/Victorian society, a dash of wolves, loads of adventure, and little girls learning to stand on their own two solid feet has my love. I love that Bonnie is not only a plucky young girl, but also handy with a rifle (good against wolves...more
Any books for children that feature a mixture of Georgian/Victorian society, a dash of wolves, loads of adventure, and little girls learning to stand on their own two solid feet has my love. I love that Bonnie is not only a plucky young girl, but also handy with a rifle (good against wolves...more
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Read in January, 1969
For a while, I re-read this book once every summer, during the hottest, most humid months. I'm not sure how to categorize it, beyond children's book. I think the series as a whole appealed to me as a child because of the adventure and the strong female characters, especially Dido Twite, who does not appear until the next book.
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Read in January, 1968
"It was dusk -- winter dusk. Snow lay white and shining over the pleated hills, and icicles hung from the forest trees. Snow lay piled on the dark road across Willoughby Wold, but from dawn men had been clearing it with brooms and shovels. There were hundreds of them at work, wrapped in sacking because of the bitter cold, and keeping together in groups for fear of the wolves, made savage and reckless from hunger..."
I dare you not to go on reading after that.
I read this book...more
I dare you not to go on reading after that.
I read this book...more
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Read in January, 2004
I checked this out based on delphica's recent recommendation & its appearance on Locus' Greatest Young Adult Fantasy/Science Fiction list.
Written in 1962, the story hearkens back to the turn of the nineteenth century, being the adventures of two girls: wealthy tomboy Bonnie, and her poor, sickly orphan cousin, Sylvia who comes to Willoughby Chase to stay with Bonnie and her family. However, Sir Willoughby and his wife are about to travel abroad in the hopes of improving his wife's health...more
Written in 1962, the story hearkens back to the turn of the nineteenth century, being the adventures of two girls: wealthy tomboy Bonnie, and her poor, sickly orphan cousin, Sylvia who comes to Willoughby Chase to stay with Bonnie and her family. However, Sir Willoughby and his wife are about to travel abroad in the hopes of improving his wife's health...more
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Read in September, 2003
recommends it for:
Fans of Victorian Melodrama, Joan Aiken fans, Lemony Snicket Readers...
Cousins Bonnie and Sylvia Green find themselves in danger when Bonnie's parents must leave the country, entrusting the girls to the care of their wicked governess, Miss Slighcarp. But whether they are confronting the eponymous wolves of Willoughby Chase or enduring the drudgery of a charity school, our two young heroines never lose sight of their goal: to expose the machinations of their enemy, and regain their home...
The first in what is sometimes called the Wolves Chronicles, a loos...more
The first in what is sometimes called the Wolves Chronicles, a loos...more
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Read in May, 2008
This was one of my favorite books when I was 12 or 13 - it always reminds me so much of Jane Eyre, and I'm not sure if it's just because of similarities in the story or because I read them at the same time - probably both. I remember being completely intrigued by the idea of using a frozen river for travel; it's an image that has stuck with me for many years - to escape via frozen water. This book has everything appealing to the gothic-minded young girl - hidden passage-ways, thwarted not...more
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I saw a lame-o movie version of this book at some point in my life, so I really don't know what possessed me to read it, but I'm so glad I did. The only problem now is, I don't know what order the rest of the books actually go in (I find conflicting lists constantly), and the other books are super hard to find, so I haven't made it through more than four of them. But great books, really. If you're looking for books for your kids to read, or books to read to your kids, or books for the kid in ...more
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Read in January, 1982
Years ago I searched the Internet for this book when I could not find it at my parents' house. The entire series is worth your time; this is just the first. Aiken spins a real tale and doesn't spare the historical context. Because it doesn't talk down to kids or spare them violence, it stands the test of time. A bit Jane Eyre for me, which I love. Great English fiction for young and old alike.
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Read in January, 1971
recommended to Lauri by:
Mrs. Adamsrecommends it for: teachers looking for a read-aloud.
My Fourth Grade teacher read this aloud to our class and we would plead with her not to stop every day until she finished it. I read it to my Sixth Grade homeroom close to twelve years ago and they would plead with me not to stop as well. It's children's literature, of course, but it's a GREAT read-aloud. I've searched for copies recently and it's hard to find.
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As a wolf lover, this book was highly abusive. A wolf pack attack a train? Extremely unrealistic, for all this story is supposed to be set in the real world. I also just disliked the whole plot in general, although of course I was subject to immediate and unremoveable dislike from the beginning train scene.
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Read in January, 1998
recommends it for:
fans of gothic adventure
One of those stories where things get worse and worse and worse for the heroines - parents lost at sea, presumed dead; the new servants are revealed as evil schemers, and there is no where they can turn! How can they ever escape this horrible fate? Illustrated by Edward Gorey, to wonderful effect.
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Read in July, 1975
I remember reading this book as my family drove across the county when I was maybe nine. I remember being deliciously scared and completely sucked in by the story. I re-read it about every five years or so and read it to my niece when she was about 10. It's one of my favorite books ever.
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Everything a little girl wants in a book: a wicked governess, a best friend, forced poverty, a rescue, and a crushworthy literary character. This is the first book in the Wolves Chronicles, and although it's probably the weakest (and the least tied to the series) it's still worth a read.
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Read in January, 1989
Sure I read this when I was a tyke, but I'll have you know that I was re-reading it in the bathtub just last week. It's seriously good. It contains the irresitiable plot device of "riches-to-rags" not to mention some serious orphanage action. And a great escape sequence! And revenge!
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My third-grade (and favorite elementary school teacher) read-aloud this book to us. I was captivated by it as a young child. I re-read it a few years ago and it doesn't have quite the same draw as an adult, but I will read it to Addie when she is 7 or 8.
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Read in November, 2007
This is the first book that I have devoured whole in quite awhile.
It's got orphans, dungeons, wicked governesses, boys who live in caves, and girls with beautiful dolls. All the ingredients for a proper short children's novel.
It's got orphans, dungeons, wicked governesses, boys who live in caves, and girls with beautiful dolls. All the ingredients for a proper short children's novel.
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Read in January, 1993
I remember loving this book. I think it was kind of scary. I don't remember much about the plot anymore, but I do remember LOVING it. I wouldn't shut up about it and tried to get all my friends to read it, which didn't work.
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Read in January, 1994
recommends it for:
victorianists on holiday
i think i read this book like 15 times, the last maybe in college. cruel governesses, wintry climates, a victorian england overrun with wolves but not unmanageable to the right sort of children. fantastic!
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It has been a long time since I have read this, but I remember loving the story and it keeping me entertained. This book was bought for me by one of my older brothers and I cherish it to this day.
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