The Wind in the Willows (Review) Review by Nancy Young Categories: Review | Creators by Name | Review Authors | Media Reviews | Book | Nancy Young | Kenneth Grahame   Alternative Names: None. Review No.: 0.09.3000.006

Review

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is arguably one of the most poetical books in English juvenile fiction. It is a sheer joy to read it aloud to a child, in part, perhaps, because the tales were invented by Kenneth Grahame as bedtime stories for his son (lucky child). Later, when Grahame wished to publish them, he had to reconstruct them through his and his son’s collective memory. The major delight, however, is found in the sheer beauty and delicious sensations of the poetry itself, coupled with the wonderful dialogue. It is a great read with a child of virtually any age, but a real interest will probably not begin before about eight years of age—even then some of the verbiage may be a little sophisticated. It is great fun for the girls in the family, but is also one of the rare children’s classics populated by the male of the species (most of the others are by Stevenson) and therefore a real boon for 8-12 year old boys. The book begins by introducing Mole, then Ratty, and soon collects Toad and Mr. Badger, with occasional appearances from Otter. Mole, Ratty, and Badger are all right-minded, good-hearted fellows, but are also very real and beguilingly fallible. Toad is alternately outrageous and naughty, then penitent and contrite —- with his outrageousness and naughtiness winning out until the very end. Although adventure-packed and filled with male characters, this is remarkably the story of home -— making it, caring for it, and reclaiming it when necessary. It is rich, tender, thoughtful, and funny. It’s major drawback may simply be that a great many people feel they already know the story through the many dramatic and film adaptations it has undergone, and so they may have never actually read the story. While most adaptations naturally follow the more defined plot of Toad’s adventure, so much of the charm of The Wind in the Willows is found in the fine episodes of friendship, and in the caring and good humor that resonate through the remainder of the book. Grahame’s comprehension of human nature coupled with his clever imagination of animal life make for magical insights into both. Children who already seem so akin to nature and magic can be swept into a world that celebrates both, and reminds us of all the heaven close at hand that whispers in the willows.

Review Information

Author

Nancy Young

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This review is Copyright 2009 • By Nancy Young • All Rights Reserved.

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Creator(s)

Kenneth Grahame

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