Eloise in Never too Late to Read Classics

Feb 21, 2017 Manybooks rated it it was ok

Shelves: classics, childrens-literature, book-reviews, graphic-novels, picture-books, imagination, neglected-children

Yes, yes, yes, I do well know that Kay Thompson's and Hilary Knight's Eloise is considered both a classic and for many readers seemingly also represents very much a personal and nostalgic favourite (and equally a slice of genuine New York City life, as Eloise's place of residence, the Plaza, is a bona fide Midtown Manhattan luxury hotel). And indeed, if I simply look at Eloise as a character, as a person, as a child, I do see much to cherish and to tenderly if not even glowingly appreciate (her Yes, yes, yes, I do well know that Kay Thompson's and Hilary Knight's Eloise is considered both a classic and for many readers seemingly also represents very much a personal and nostalgic favourite (and equally a slice of genuine New York City life, as Eloise's place of residence, the Plaza, is a bona fide Midtown Manhattan luxury hotel). And indeed, if I simply look at Eloise as a character, as a person, as a child, I do see much to cherish and to tenderly if not even glowingly appreciate (her voice, her imagination, her often delightful games and that she really always finds ways to entertain herself, to make life fun and interesting for her). However, and this is quite a massive, fraught with intense personal frustration however, as an older adult, I actually do NOT in any way find Eloise either all that humorous or even all that inherently sweet, but mostly both rather majorly depressing and saddening, and in fact even much anger-inducing. Because and in my humble opinion, first and foremost, little Eloise is for all intents and purposes a sadly neglected and willfully unparented, an abandoned child, a poor little rich girl whose often absent and careless mother seems to spend much of her time traipsing around the world, leaving Eloise basically and constantly alone at the Plaza Hotel, cared for by a nanny and generally surrounded by ONLY adults who not only cannot take the place of a parent, but who as employees of the Plaza Hotel also generally would probably not even dare to discipline Eloise if or rather when her behaviour becomes an issue or a potential concern, considering that Eloise's mother is wealthy, socially connected and a close and personal friend of the hotel owner (and they, the diverse hotel employees, would likely be legitimately afraid of losing their jobs if they dared to be overtly critical of Eloise or even tried saying a categorical "no" to her). And while Eloise might indeed have, might possess a lot of objects and received gifts (mostly from her mother, it seems), she generally does NOT have her mother's presence and she does not have her mother's love and care (resulting in a child who during the course of Eloise, while certainly imaginative and often even endearing also has in many ways been left to run wild, and because of her family's material wealth, has thus also become entitled, spoiled and often rather infuriating).

But that all being said, I actually do VERY MUCH LIKE Eloise as a person, and I do not in any way think of her as a so-called nasty and spoiled brat as some commentators and reviewers seem to desire labeling and calling her. No, ALL my potential criticisms I level entirely and totally at Eloise's family, but especially at her neglectful social butterfly of a mother, who obviously cares more about her wealthy and jet-setting lifestyle than she does about being a responsible caregiver to her little daughter (and yes, even when Eloise misbehaves and acts her worst, I never in fact do dislike her, I actually more feel sorry for her and try to level my criticism where it is indeed required and justified, the absent mother and the non existent parenting). And it really and truly does massively annoy me to no end when I come across reviews of Eloise which ONLY fault young Eloise for her behaviour and do not go that one necessary step further and rightfully condemn and criticise the person who has created and precipitated this scenario in the first place, namely her for the most part both physically and emotionally absent and irresponsible mother (Eloise’s biological family).

Now I have been debating whether to rate Eloise with three stars, or whether to actually consider but two stars, and I am still waffling a bit. However, considering that I also do not all that much enjoy Hilary Knight's accompanying illustrations, I think I will (at least for the present) stick with a two star rating (as Knight’s pictures, while expressive and definitely full of movement and life, are also much too cartoon like for my personal tastes and really do seem to make both Eloise and especially the poor nanny appear almost caricature like and ugly). And thus, two stars it is for Eloise (although if half stars were permitted, I would most definitely be changing my rating to two and a half stars). And am I going to read and review the sequels? Well perhaps, as I do own copies of them, but after having quickly skimmed through them, I do NOT think anything will likely all that much change my at best rather luke-warm reaction to Eloise and her exploits (and I believe my viscerally intensely negative attitude towards the mother, towards Eloise's biological family will more than likely but majorly increase, as even in the Christmastime offering, NO members of Eloise's supposed nearest and dearest bother to make a physical appearance, leaving Eloise alone with but her nanny even then, even at Christmas). ...more

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