Customer Reviews

The Lonely Doll

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Although I now consider myself a feminist in many ways, I loved this book when I was little and don't think the book is as terrible or harmful to children as some other reviewers have said. In fact, I picked this book many times off the shelf as my bedtime story. When I was little, I thought it was saddening at some parts (Wright's pictures conveyed loneliness very well) but also funny at others (call me strange, but I laughed when Edith got spanked and when the teddy bear wrote "Mr. Bear is a silly old thing" on the mirror).

This book taps into fears that many young children experience, particularly being alone, fear of their parents leaving & never coming back (separation anxiety) and getting in trouble with parents. Some reviewers expressed concerns that the story tells girls to be needy and dependent to get what they want because Edith begs Mr. Bear to stay, telling him that she'll do whatever he wants if he does (or something to that extent). But remember, she is in a state of fear, and many people say "I'll do anything if you...," in moments of desperation. Plus, how many children love exploring "off-limits" rooms of their home as Edith and the little teddy bear do? Also, I agree that spanking is an inappropriate way to discipline, but many children are spanked every day and therefore can relate (I was spanked when I was a child too). Additionally, the photographs are vivid, clear and definitely draw readers into the story. When I was a young child, I thought the doll really was alive.

If you want a story with unusual-yet-beautiful pictures and a little extra "oomph" than some other children's books, I recommend it. And if you really are concerned about whatever Freudian messages might be in the book, you can always talk about the story after reading to your children.

Honestly, I have read all of the criticisms of this wonderful book with astonishment!

I was one of the many lucky kids who discovered these books about the doll with my favorite name (mine!) at the library. I returned them only reluctantly and of course, overdue!

To the criticisms: my parents raised me with the idea that I would be an independent and discerning kid. They encouraged me to make up my own mind about things. As a 6 year old, I recognized that this story was about a LONELY DOLL, not a well-adjusted, independent PC doll. She had issues and she did the best she could with them; but more than that, she turned her little doll life into something adventurous and magical. The breathtakingly imaginative and exquisitely staged black and white photographs by Dare Wright (imho, a creative genius) opened my eyes to the creative side of life in ways I am still discovering as a crusty 46 year old.

You would be doing your child a disservice to deprive him or her of these works for the sake of unattainable pc perfection by overlooking their real theme: imagination, the beauty of mystery and transformation.

I bought each of my nieces a copy.

Edie

What a pity that such a charming, aesthetically pleasing story as The Lonely Doll has become cannon fodder for overly zealous parents who are hellbent on political correctness. Previous reviewers have noted that the author, Dare Wright, was abused as a child and that the shadows of this abuse are present in the text itself. I submit that this is a bunch of baloney. By reading a nonexistent adult subtext into this sweet, simple book, many adults are depriving their children of a great classic. I adored it as a child, and my six-year-old daughter adores it too.

I never owned a copy of this book as a child, but I pretty nearly weared out the copy at my local public library.

Of course it is a product of its time. Surely no children's book editor would dare to publish such a thing in this PC world, and that is a shame. I read the book over and over again and am a happy, well-adjusted middled aged woman who never once had a fear of being abandoned by my parents (in part because they taught me to distinguish fiction from reality).

I also really loved the Puppet Storybooks (remember, the ones with the dizzying 3D covers?!), so I must be drawn to photography of puppets/dolls. Edith had beautiful clothes. It was so exciting to watch her play dress up. Really, I doubt that I read much of the dialogue (though I did read the doll's lipstick graffiti on the mirror!), but I poured over the photographs.

How happy I am to have my very own copy now (and of other books in the series, though none are as well-loved as the first).

My wife and I bought this book soon after my daughter was born (she's now 7), because of the admittedly beautiful photos and what on the surface appears to be a sweet story. After reading it a few times, we half-joked that after being spanked by the father bear, the Lonely Doll practically tells him, "Do anything you want, just don't leave me!" This bothered us enough that we put the book away and no longer read it to our daughter. As it turns out, after reading reviews of "The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll," we find we weren't too far off. "The Lonely Doll" provides a bit of insight into the life of Dare Wright, whose father and brother left at an early age, and who had an unhealthy relationship with her mother. Unfortunately, her disturbed psychology seems to be reflected in the "Lonely Doll" books.

So, unlike others, the spanking in the book doesn't bother us per se. But we didn't feel the "don't-leave-me-I'll-do-whatever-you-want" undertext was appropriate for a little girl in whom we're trying to engender independence and self-respect.

Maybe we're being overly analytical about what is ostensibly a children's book, and there are certainly other children's books with less-than-ideal messages. But we thought the message in this one was particularly undesirable for our daughter and thought other parents might feel the same.

I first discovered this book when I was six and attending a saturday story time at our school library. So enchanted was I by Edith and the bears that I never noticed the lights going out in the library or the click of the lock as I was being locked in. I was found a short time later and left happily with this delightful book. Edith is such a lovely doll and the bears so cute that even a preschooler will enjoy the photographic illustrations. The story is well written and the mischievous Edith is sure to make you smile. This is a true favorite from my childhood and now a favorite of my own kids.

I recently acquired a copy of this tale for Amazon as a gift for a young cousin. I would like to thank Amazon for its very prompt service in sending it.
It touches upon my personal fascination with the famous Lenci dolls, and it is interesting to see how posable the little felt creations are.
Dare Wright's sweet old-fashioned tale about her own little Lenci named Edith touches upon her own issue of childhood lonliness.
Little Edith, with her long blonde ponytail, has a very contemporary look about her as she goes about her lonely life of routine chores and having no one to play with in this 1957 literary offering.
Finally, her prayers for long-term company are answered with the arrival of Mr. Bear and Little Bear, with whom she can go on outings, do her lessons, and have loving and caring relationships. But at one point, when Mr. Bear goes out and leaves Little Bear and Edith alone (and bored) one rainy day, the two run amock, are disciplined when Mr. Bear comes home, and Edith fears that her faux pas will drive her new companions away, but learns that she can embrace their unconditional love.
Perhaps this tale has become a classic not only because of the cuteness of the photographed illustrations, but also because it is a relatable story that deals with feelings that we may have at all stages in life.
Even five decades after its original publication, this is a sweet little story that rocks! I find it highly recommendable!

Though I'd seen the Lonely Doll books at book fairs, I was never drawn to them for some reason. Maybe it was because they consist of photographs, while I love other types of illustration. Then I read the biography of Dare Wright, author of the Lonely Doll books. This fascinating and tragic woman piqued my interest in her books. Her photos are so detailed it's almost unbelievable. The lengths to which she went to set up each shot is phenomenal. I love this book, as I'm sure legions of children have through the years. As an adult, I appreciate it for its artistic merits.

Dare Wrights books, this one and all of her books f eaturing Edith the lonely doll are PURE ARTISTRY. As an artist myself, I find Dare Wright to be ahead of her time...for she gave children for decades simple themes and smiles. Frankly I am tired of reading negative reviews about her superb books by yuppie parents who read their own "Freudian" theories into every line. These books were written in an era we will never ever see again-a time when little girls looked and dressed like little girls, and children respected adults and enjoyed a nice book to read. I have a message to all of today's yuppie parents: please appreciate these and all classic children's books and art... and please remove your thoughts from today's stagnation and yuppie mindset...KMW

I am amazed how many people love this book. I find it to be very disturbing and not very appropriate for young children. The underlying themes that I get are those of abuse and a "Be good or we will leave you" sort type of threat. This becomes more apparent if you know something about the author. Each time I see this book my skin crawls. There is a frenzied energy about the whole thing which makes me uncomfortable. I think this is either a love or hate sort of book. I haven't talked to anyone who "kind of" liked it.