Customer Reviews

Miss Potter: The Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed this little story. I thought it would be fairly predictable, but found it interesting and surprising. It's a story that will stay with me for a long time, and certainly will return to my thoughts every time I see Peter Rabbit or Jemima Puddleduck or another of Beatrix Potter's creations! After reading the book I'm anxious to find a copy of Peter Rabbit and study the drawings more closely.

The reason I have given it 5 stars is not so much for the quality of writing but because the story really touched me.

If you haven't read any of Beatrix Potter's animal tales, you will still enjoy this story based on her life and will probably want to have a look at some of her work after reading it!

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) grew up in a cold home during the Edwardian era. Her parents were elderly Unitarians and her brother became an alcoholic. Beatrix retreated to her upstairs bedroom. In that bedroom she began to draw beautiful watercolors in pastel clarity of her little imaginary friends such as Peter Rabbit and his garden friends.
Beatrix was a strong willed person. At the age of 36 her little book on Peter Rabbit was accepted for publication by the firm of F. Warne Co. Though shy Beatrix fell in love with one of the three Warne brothers. She and Norman were planning to be married despite the opposition of her parents. They considered Warne to be in trade and beneath the reclusive spinsterish girl they loved and protected. Tragedy ensued when Norman died.
Beatrix bought Hill Top farm and found love with a local solicitor who like she was interested in preserving England's beautiful landscape. Today her Hill Top farm is owned by the National Trust being open to thousands of tourists.
I hesitated in purchasing this book since it was only a movie-tie-in to the new Renee Zellwegger film. It's author is Richard Maltby who also wrote the film's screenplay. I was charmingly surprised! Maltby has woven this simple and heartwarming story of Miss Potter with charm, wit, pathos and
it is obvious he has a warm spot for Beatrix and her furry friends. "Peter Rabbit" is still the bestselling book for children which has been written in the English language.
If you want to spend a few hours getting to know the complex creative genius Beatrix Potter read this fine little book. A true joy!

With Renee Zellwegger's charming smile beaming at me from the local book store's children section, I was irresistibly bewitched into purchasing a copy of "Miss Potter The Novel."

After immersing myself in the tale, I was not disappointed, but I was briefly confused. The story seemed to start off a bit slow and stiff. And then I realized why. This book is not actually written for 9-12 year olds. It is, in fact, a short adult novel based on the life of Beatrix Potter, which seems to have mirrored much of the plot of Sense and Sensibility.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the content of the story. We learn how the creative talents needed to produce such whimsical tales as Peter Rabbit manifest themselves, and how a unique outlook on life can affect artists in both positive and negative ways.

Aside from a couple of sentences containing veiled adult content, the book is fine for both children and adults. If you want an excellent read about following your bliss, look no further.

I purchased this book because I'd missed it in the theaters, I am so glad I did. I could not put it down until the last word and after that I came back and bought other books about Beatrix Potter. This fascinating, creative, headstrong wonderful woman who refused to take "her place" in life and instead lived her life as best she could- inspired me to no end. May we all be as brave.

I absolutely loved the book and was sorry to finish it! Will read again and again. Never knew her story before.

I also bought Miss Potter: The Novel because the film has not been shown in my city except for a one night sneak preview which I missed. I am perplexed and disappointed that the movie had such a limited release. I am glad I bought the novel and enjoyed it very much! I found it charming as I am sure the movie will be as well! I highly recommend you get the novel if you are like me and waiting patiently for it to come to theater or out on DVD!