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486th out of 2,624 books
—
4,846 voters
The Dolls' House
Tottie is a loving little wooden doll who lives with her family in a shoebox. The doll family are owned by two sisters, Emily and Charlotte, and are very happy, except for one thing: they long for a proper home. To their delight, their wish comes true when Emily and Charlotte fix up a Victorian dolls' house - just for them. It's perfect. But then a new arrival starts to wr...more
Paperback, 140 pages
Published
November 3rd 2006
by MacMillan UK
(first published 1948)
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I read the first few chapters and was rather captivated. Yet, at the same time, I felt melancholy the enitre time and decided to stop reading. At first, I thought it was just nostalgia for my childhood, but then I realized what it was... The dolls are not happy being with girls who love them, in the shoeboxes the girls provide as homes because they cannot afford a real doll's house. The dolls long for a real doll's house. Now, perhaps something changes as the story progressed (and I heard the en...more
Oct 21, 2011
Sarah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
kindred-characters
I have a thing for personified dolls. I guess it's the combination of allegory and childlike whimsy that appeals to me.
This story perfectly captures the joy of dollhouses as well as the essence of childhood. I remember how my dolls had personalities that I hadn't consciously created. I just sort of sensed them. Godden taps into that sense in the most delightful way! --But it's not all whimsy and roses. There's a touch of melancholy to the narrative as well. There's so much to this little book! I...more
This story perfectly captures the joy of dollhouses as well as the essence of childhood. I remember how my dolls had personalities that I hadn't consciously created. I just sort of sensed them. Godden taps into that sense in the most delightful way! --But it's not all whimsy and roses. There's a touch of melancholy to the narrative as well. There's so much to this little book! I...more
I have to add that I have NOT read this but my little sister used to read out loud and I heard most of it.
It kept her amused for ages which meant she left me alone.
Useless fact (I'm 30 minutes older than her)
It kept her amused for ages which meant she left me alone.
Useless fact (I'm 30 minutes older than her)
The Dolls' House is about a group of dolls who all come together and are owned by two little girls, Emily and Charlotte. The main doll, Tottie, was the girls' Great-Great Aunt's and had been passed down to them. The other dolls that they have were all ones that were given to them. The dolls all want a doll house to live in, so when Emily and Charlotte recieve the house from their Great-Great Aunt, the dolls are happy. The girls' want to fix up the house, but don't have enough money to get what t...more
I have decided to do a series of posts on books I enjoyed as a child, timeless classics I enjoyed time and time again. I want to share these with others so that hopefully they can find the magic that I did in these stories.
When I was young, a book I kept coming back to was The Dolls' House, by Rumer Godden. I think my dad originally read it to me, but I remember reading it to myself time and time again. It is a wonderful book, because there are many books where children's toys come alive, but no...more
When I was young, a book I kept coming back to was The Dolls' House, by Rumer Godden. I think my dad originally read it to me, but I remember reading it to myself time and time again. It is a wonderful book, because there are many books where children's toys come alive, but no...more
This was a very interesting novel showing the relationship between husband and wife in the early 1900's. Through out the story we see that the two main characters, Torvald and Nora have more of a father daughter-relationship rather than a husband-wife relationship. The wife attempts to show her dominance over the husband but time after time is shutdown because of the actions of society during this time. I did not love this book because it was very hard to follow, although I did like how they wer...more
She liked to think sometimes of the tree of whose wood she was made, of its strength and the sap that ran through it and made it bud and put out leaves every spring and summer, that kept it standing through the winter storms and winds. "A little, a very little, of that tree is in me," said Tottie. "I am a little of that tree."
I used to love this book when I was younger, and yet every time it came into my head (as it tends to do - it sticks with you) I was seized by an inexplicable dread. I remem...more
I used to love this book when I was younger, and yet every time it came into my head (as it tends to do - it sticks with you) I was seized by an inexplicable dread. I remem...more
Mr. Plantaganet doesn't like Margipan but I think he is right. I agree with him. Emily thinks she is lovely. But Charlotte doesn't think she is quite as lovely. Birdie is a good character. She is chosen as Mrs. Plantaganet. Mr. and Mrs. Plantaganet are Tottie's parents. But Mrs. Plantaganet has another name: Birdie. Apple is a little plush doll. He is very cute. Sometimes he sings for Margipan which in my opinion is not the best idea. Well just open up the Doll House and you'll have a really fun...more
One of my favorites from childhood. The theme that beautiful doesn't always equal good or kind is an important one to learn, and the lesson of self-sacrifice took my breath away when I first read the ending as a child. I couldn't believe what had happened! Part of me felt loss and wished that the author hadn't let that happen; the other part of me realized that it made sense and was actually beautiful though sad.
Interesting little book written mostly from the perspective of a mixed-matched family of dolls. I found myself a little nervous when I started to read it; probably stemming from an irrational fear of dolls I had when I was little. ;) So funny how those things hang on. There was suspense, sadness, joy, and a few little lessons thrown in. Enjoyable book, perfect for girls ages 8 and up.
Ultimate Doll House book for middle grade. What I am struck by in my grown-up reading is how unsentimental it is-- not for wimpy kids, this book is harsh-- and how spare and economical the language. Kid's books from the mid-20th century could be very syrupy; this is not one. I was not in love with the illus. as a means of transporting me back to the story, though they are very pretty, I could not quite connect with them.
'The Dolls' House' is utterly adorable and is filled with some absolutely wonderful characters. Tottie and Charlotte were particularly endearing, and I loved the limitless imagination which Godden demonstrated throughout the book. It is so quaint and lovely, and is definitely well worth reading in terms of both nostalgia and loveliness.
The activities, sorrows, and joys of a family of dolls living in an old doll house are related from the dolls’ point of view.
It’s rather dated, but charming. Read this if: you ever played with a dollhouse – or wanted to (and who didn’t?) 3 stars
It’s rather dated, but charming. Read this if: you ever played with a dollhouse – or wanted to (and who didn’t?) 3 stars
May 13, 2012
Jasmine Anne Victorea Bamber
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Jasmine Anne Victorea by:
People who are young at heart
I loved this book. It is a lovly story about a family of dolls of dolls who want a dolls house despertly but when they get one, they get a mean doll who ruins everythings. Thuis book is one of the books which convinced me reading was good.
I've read a couple other Rumer Godden books in the past, but didn't know she'd written anything for children. So when I saw this at a friend's house, I picked it up and read it. Not awful...just didn't do anything for me.
the first thing i tought "why did we real this book at all" to me it was pointless because "ok i already knew how women were treated back then" but not i dont need to go OVER it again.
A fun book, especially if you like the books by Ann Martin (the doll people series), Miss Hickory, or Hitty the first hundred years. A very fun read about dolls come to life!
What a sweet read for a little girl or for her grandmother!! I really enjoyed this sweet story of the dolls that live in an old doll house and of the little girls who love them.
Oct 20, 2011
Deborah Ideiosepius
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who like simple, old-style kids books
Shelves:
childrens-book
This is a good, old style kids book. Quite young kids though.
I like it but it just at the verge of being to young for me to re-read with enjoyment.
I like it but it just at the verge of being to young for me to re-read with enjoyment.
My all-time favorite book. I read it as a child and re-read it a couple years ago. I still love it as much as I did reading it as a child.
A interesting and sad book about a family of dolls who long for a proper dolls house. When they get the dolls house a really snobby doll moves in.
Firstly i dont wanna read it..bt i have to read it coz it was in my syllbus....
bt when i read it i felt familior to d main character.....
bt when i read it i felt familior to d main character.....
i kinda liked this book because i didnt liked how helmer treat nora in her life like she was a stupid woman who doesnt to anything.
Just the best doll book ever. I liked the Ann Martin books, but nothing compares to this beautiful classic.
I read this in 6th grade about a million times. I read every Rumer Godden book I could get ahold of back then. I understand Demi Moore named one of her daughters Rumer after this author, so my worship of her was not isolated. Then I read this book to my kids last year and they loved it (yes, even the boy got a kick out of it, although for obvious reasons he had to pretend he was doing something else in the room, he couldn't just sit and listen to his mother read a book called "The Dolls House" o...more
Couldn't hide my surprise when seeing this title. A book long forgotten. Joy!!
I did not like the book i didnt think it had gotten my attention.
A cute story about a family of mismatched dolls living together.
This sounds dark and fascinating, can't wait to read it.
This is one of my favorite books, even going back and re-reading it, it's such a touching story, and at the same time so silly in its very existence. I can't help but fall in love with the characters... it's very simple feeling and a very simple plot line... but very elegant in its simplicity. So silly and yet so sweet... it always makes me tear up a little, just at the pure joy in life that these dolls have. It's the feelings and lives that I always thought my own dolls had behind my back when...more
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| Children and violence. How much is too much? | 2 | 26 | Sep 17, 2010 08:30am |
She was born in Sussex, England, but grew up in India, in Narayanganj. Many of her 60 books are set in India. Black Narcissus was made into a famous movie with Deborah Kerr in 1947.
Godden wrote novels, poetry, plays, biographies, and books for children.
For more information, see the official website: Rumer Godden
More about Rumer Godden...
Godden wrote novels, poetry, plays, biographies, and books for children.
For more information, see the official website: Rumer Godden
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“It is an anxious, sometimes a dangerous thing to be a doll. Dolls cannot choose; they can only be chosen; they cannot 'do'; they can only be done by.”
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13 people liked it
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