This book really struck a chord with me. The relationship of Tolly and his grandmother is a very fine achievement by Boston. I loved the way they communicated and that they ate in the kitchen in front of the fire and shared their stories and adventures; it felt real and true. I think their relationship is beautifully articulated. It made me long for such a bond - where the sharing of thoughts, memories, ideas and emotions is expected and welcomed. Theirs was a mutually nurturing connection.
There is so much to recommend here: a ghost story, a Christmas story, and elements of magic and the fantastic. So much of life is seemingly magical to children. Tolly's discovery of the "other" children and the mouse and so many remarkable things in the garden are appreciated as extraordinary but without a sense of incredulity.
The prose here is far and away superior to most literature for children. This piece seems to transcend the genre. There was one scene with St. Christopher that was so beautiful it I found myself in tears and I had to stop reading, mark the page and then had to read the whole section aloud to my sister (who was also quite moved).
I'm trying to keep my comments vague. However, half the enjoyment of this book is the "writing," the way in which the story is told - quite beautiful. I'm not going to reveal any more so early. I just hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2013
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Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2019
Top reviews from other countries
Lanjis Liho
Simply beautiful....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2015
Ira W.
Schön geschriebenes Buch für Kinder und Junggebliebene
Reviewed in Germany on October 13, 2011
Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
A childhood classic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2007