Should have read classics discussion
Children's Group Read
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The Wind in the Willows
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Lisa, the usurper
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Oct 23, 2011 08:09AM
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Yay! I've always wanted to read it and I have a free ebook.
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I'm glad that you can join in Kelly! I've missed you! Here's hoping to lots of extra time to read!
I'm excited about this, I've never read it as an adult. I'm hoping my son (7) will ok this as one of our bedtime reads.
Rlsalvati wrote: "I'm excited about this, I've never read it as an adult. I'm hoping my son (7) will ok this as one of our bedtime reads."That is a great idea. I hope I can talk my daughter into letting me read this to her.
I didn't like this book at all. It was my first time reading it and I thought it lacked a coherent storyline. More of a collection of short stories than an actual novel, in my opinion.
This will be my first time reading the book. I never read it as a child. So far, it's very cutesy and the language reminds me of an English children's cartoon but I'll keep going.
Hi, I'm planning to read this book. I have two friends who want to join and read it now or soon as well. Is this the thread to discuss the book with spoilers?
Started reading today. Really enjoying hearing of the adventures of Rat, Mole, and Toad. Having a hard time remembering they aren't old English gentlemen.
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Yes, but please try to warn people about spoilers before you post it! Wouldn't want to ruin the ending for some!
Is there a set schedule that I'm missing for this?
My husband picked this book up and started reading it aloud to our daughter when she was a newborn, I think he only got through 50 or so pages. I listened to him read, and think I might pick up where he left off. I agree with Amy in that it seemed much more like a collection of short stories, but I'll have to finish it before I make a full opinion. My husband said he always enjoyed it when his parents read it to him when he was a kid ...
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I haven't got my copy yet, but we usually only have a set schedule if the book if really long(chunky). I'm guessing this one can just have a general topic, but please be mindful of spoilers for those of us still reading!
I started reading this a couple nights ago. It makes for a nice relaxing read after several chapters of North and South. :) I must say, though, I'm finding it pretty dry for a children's book. I remember trying to read this as a very young child (like 6 years old or so), and now I know why I lost interest so fast.
I didn't make it through the book as a kid either - I think it had too much description for me at the time, and perhaps too much philosophy. I probably didn't get the dry humor either. I'm enjoying it more as an adult.
I am a ran of Brian Jacques "Redwall" series. After about 2 chapters of this book I began to get a sense that this book is his inspirational source. I point directly to the fact that some animals (such as foxes and weasles) always play the bad creatures. Jacques is well known for this as well. Also, Jaques has a badger hero in the book "Salamandstrom" in which the main character is a surley, broad-shouldered beast like Mr. Badger. I find it enchanting having read so many of Jaques books and now encountering these similarities. needless to say I am thoroughly enjoying myself!
That is really interesting. My son really enjoyed the Redwall series and its cool to hear about the similarities.
Suzanne wrote: "I didn't make it through the book as a kid either - I think it had too much description for me at the time, and perhaps too much philosophy. I probably didn't get the dry humor either. I'm enjoyi..."Suzanne, I see what you mean. I can see how a child loses interest after the first chapter which seems too descriptive and with not enough plot. But after that the story picks up the pace. I really enjoyed the third chapter it was like "The adventures of Ratty Holmes and Dr Moly Watson in the Wild Wood".
I finished the fourth chapter yesterday and I'm beginning to wonder whether there are any female characters in this book.
I don't think there are any female characters, come to think of it. How strange, I didn't notice that when I read it (and I usually notice such things). Then again, it's been a while so I might not be remembering properly...maybe there's a female later in the book..?
I have to agree with the chapters being more like separate stories. They have the same characters but jump from one thing to the next.
On the whole, I was rather dissapointed by this book. As an adult I appreciated a commentary on British high society provided by the book. But I'm not sure what a child can get from the story except maybe that if you have good friends you can get away with breaking the law and being a jerk.two stars out of five
My favorite parts were the chapters about Rat and Mole. Their friendship, especially when they passed Mole's old house, was so sweet. That part made me love Rat and his kindness.You are right about Toad, Zuzana. I didn't like him much either.
I have a friend that is like Toad...always hopping from one interest to the next. He made me laugh in that sense, but is a jerkface.Rat and Mole are so sweet together. Makes me think of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street!
I think the lack of female characters stems from the fact that Grahame concocted this story for his son in a time when female characters were perhaps viewed as "supporting roles." I think if this story were written today, there would be more female influence. Maybe Badger would be a lovely old hermit lady? :) Happy reading!
I found the book to be very dry as well. I had a beautifully illustrated copy from our library, but that was the only high point. I felt like it took me forever to finish it! There was a lot of description and quite a few "big words" that I don't think children would be able to understand. There were certainly action scenes, but there was also a lot of filler in between them, and I kept flipping forward to see when the next pictures would be or when the chapter would end,in hopes of getting closer to the end. I agree that it seemed like a collection of short stories as opposed to one long story, but it was too long-winded and it never would have held my children's attention. It barely held mine! Hahaha!I think my favorite character though, was the crazy, car-obsessed Toad! Though his character was certainly the trouble-maker of the group, his flair for dramatics and ridiculous escapades kept things interesting.
