The Tale of Hill Top Farm (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Oct 05, 2013 Sue rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series, british-isles, mystery, audio-books, early-20th-century

I started listening to this novel and it began with a bewildering array of characters, plus talking animals who were addressing humans but I was unsure if the humans were answering back and overall I was a little lost. So I pulled out the novel (because I often alternately read and listen)and found that the novel was clear on some points. First off, it was easier to keep track of all the initial characters after seeing them in print, and Ms. Albert's publishers helpfully put the animals dialogue ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2018 Jan Norton rated it liked it

An enjoyable read. I am glad that I got to read the 1st in the series before any of the others. I felt that the author stayed true to Beatrix Potter.

This is a warm, sensitive story of Beatrix Potter arriving in Sawrey village in the Lake District and her efforts to finalize the purchase of Hill Top Farm. There are many decisions which need to be made about the farm, especially since there is a farmer and his family in residence there. There are a few mysteries in this story. It was nice to read ...more

Like · see review

Oct 14, 2022 Barb rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, audio, series-firsts, cozy, zz-completed-in-2022

3.5 stars, rounded up

I love this author’s China Bayles series, so I was eager to start this series too. Even though I love hearing Chet’s POV in the Spencer Quinn series, the talking animals in this book weren’t so appealing – maybe because Chet tells the entire story, and the animal POVs here alternate with the humans?

Otherwise, I liked most of the characters (but that headmistress, yikes!!) and the way the majority of them came to accept newcomers to their village. There were some who weren’t ...more

Like · see review

Jun 25, 2011 Roxann rated it really liked it

All I can say is what a cute book. Talking people along with talking animals. Some historical fiction with a little mystery. I liked this book.

Like · see review

Jul 01, 2016 Debbie rated it really liked it

This is a fun story. Based on fact with some fantasy added in. It's sort of an adult escape. I'm looking forward to reading on in this series. Just nice light fun. ...more

Like · see review

Feb 14, 2008 Jennifer rated it did not like it

It's probably some sort of children's book blasphemy to say this, but I couldn't really get into the Hill Top Farm books as much as Albert's mystery series of China Bayles. Despite loving most children's literature, when I was a kid and as an adult, I just don't love Beatrix Potter stories... and this book, to me, was very much in the style of her works. The character development and plot were excellent, just the wording and style of language reminded me too much of one of my not-so-favorite chi ...more

Like · see review