8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Wind in the Willows has provided one hundred years of joy and gentle humor to booklovers, November 29, 2007
This review is from: The Wind in the Willows (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)
Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) was a staid Victorian banker who had a vivid imagination! In 1907-1908 he penned a series of charming letters to his son Alistair which morphed into the classic "The Wind in the Willows". No one beats the British in this kind of animal tale told with pananche and joy de vivre! Along with Grahame one has only to think of Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne and James Barrie to relish these timeless stories.
"The Wind in the Willows" is the tale of Mr. Toad and his friends. The novel has four major characters:
1. Mr. Toad is the owner of Tudor Hall. Toad is wealthy but unwise! He enjoys bragging about his exploits and adventures. Toad is single being cared for only by a housemaid. He is sportily dressed and relishes reckless driving (no wonder a Disneyworld ride is called 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride."!). Toad gets into all kinds of jams! He is arrested for stealing a car (which he only meant to borrow); is thrown into prison being rescued by the jailer's daughter; escapes with the aid of a nice railroad engineer
and returns home safely. Toad enjoys croaking like a frog over his exploits. At the end of the novel he is more mature giving up the adventures of the road. He is an unforgettable figure of satire and fun!
2. Water Rat. This rodent is a wise inhabitant of the river and meadows near Toad Hall. He is a good friend who will not desert his friends when they find themselves in trouble. Water Rat is brave leading the attack on the weasels and stoats who have taken over Toad hall due to Mr. Toad's incarceration.
3. Mr. Mole leaves his warm and secure home to go down the river with Mr. Rat, explore the Wild Woods and come to the aid of Toad. He is a trusting and innocent soul one comes to love.
4. Mr. Badger is a blunt old soul who lives deep in the Wild Woods. In a good chapter he welcomes Mole and Rat to his home after the two adventurers have been lost in the woods on a snowy evening. His son Piglet is rescued by Mole and Rat with the help of Pan the Piper.
These four animal friends teach children to be loyal and kind to one another. "The Wind in the Willows" has no cruelty within its pages. Grahame's charming little work ends happily as the four friends live lives of quiet joy.
The language in the novel is too difficult to comprehend for young children but remains a classic of English Young People's fiction. Kenneth Grahame is an outstanding author whose "The Wind in the Willows" will endure for generations of future readers.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this now!, June 7, 2007
This review is from: The Wind in the Willows (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)
True, this book is a classic. But contrary to some other reviews you may read on this site, the book earns its status as a classic. It's a brilliant adventure, and you won't be disappointed.
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0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Wind in the Willows, August 14, 2011
This review is from: The Wind in the Willows (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)
I am very happy with the people who work for this company... The first copy was lost so I contacted them and a book was sent out that day and I got it in 2 days. Now that is CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ITS BEST. Thank you. I will tell everyone I know to get books from this company.
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