As growing up in pre-war London looms large in the lives of the Carne sisters, Deirdre, Katrine, and young Sheil still cannot resist making up stories as they have done since childhood; from their talking nursery toys to their fulsomely imagined friendship with real high-court Judge Toddington. But when Deirdre meets the judge’s real life wife at a charity bazaar the sisters are forced to confront the subject of their imaginings. Will they cast off the fantasies of childhood forever?
I really wanted to love this book. I think what threw me was how imaginative the sisters actually were. I had such a hard time figuring out when they were playing and when they were actually living. It’s playful and funny, but almost too much so for the first half. Luckily, it improved when Deirdre met Mrs. Toddington because finally real life started to have a discernible effect on the novel and it all interwove in a charming way as the girls start to grow up and realize how damaging their fantasies can be.
I did enjoy the language; it’s so playfully British that it’s hard not to cherish each individual word! The time period is also interesting and I know I’d like to read more classics with this sort of feel to them. But mostly, I feel like I missed the part that makes this book brilliant. I think I was too caught up in just how childish their games felt to me – and I thought it was a little mean on their part, as well. It was all in fun but it did feel a little like they were mocking the people when they didn’t even know what they were like. I guess I’m just too much of a wet blanket!
In short, I think The Brontes Went to Woolworths could be charming for another reader, but it didn’t quite cut it for me.
I am an Amazon Associate. I bought this book.
Same here. I really wanted and expected to like the book but I didn’t. I loved the first few pages, and then it was all downhill from there. I thought the girls were so immature and snobby. I did like Rachel Ferguson’s Alas Poor Lady though which I think is a much better book.
.-= Miss Moppet´s last blog ..Lady Moppet’s Post #7: Fierce Bad Moppet =-.
Now you have me wondering what I would think! I don’t think I’ll be giving it a try for a while though.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Today’s Read: A Gift from Brittany by Marjorie Price =-.
Interesting. Thanks for reviewing this. I actually just read another literary tie in book, like this, and I had the same experience of wanting to like it…but not. I’m glad you spoke up here, as I sometimes feel like I get sucked in by the cute idea and hype of how a novel ties back to one of my favorites, and then it doesn’t. It’s not that I might not check it out at some point, but it’s good to have the warning. Thanks!
.-= Becky at “One Literature Nut”´s last blog ..Review: Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo =-.
I felt the same way – wanted to love the book, but just had too many problems with it. And I really didn’t think it improved much as it went along. A shame, because I did like her writing style. Now I’m looking for her other books, hoping I’ll like them a little better.
.-= JLS Hall´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesdays: Angels of Destruction =-.
More than anything else, the title of this one has piqued my interest!
.-= Susan Higginbotham´s last blog ..Speaking of Margaret of Anjou’s Marriage . . . =-.
Yes, I loved the title…unfortunately I felt that was the best thing about it!
I think this is one of those ‘love it or hate it’ books.
.-= Miss Moppet´s last blog ..Lady Moppet’s Post #7: Fierce Bad Moppet =-.
This does seem to be the most odd of the Bloomsbury books published, though I think it sounds fun. I also like the lavender cover the most of all this publishing group’s, I admit.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian =-.
This doesn’t sound like my kind of book either.
I have been so curious to try this book after seeing it all over the place, but now that I’ve read your review, my excitement is tempered a bit. Now I’m thinking that I might not love this book as much as I thought I would. Great review! Thanks for shining a light on this book for me!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Sounds Like Crazy by Shana Mahaffey – 400 pgs =-.
Your review makes this book sound completely different from what I thought it would be like after I read Nymeth’s review of it.
I think I’m mostly attracted to the novel because of the title.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..The Latest Batch of DNF’s =-.
I think I would like this despite what is being said!
Is it bad that I’m sort of glad you didn’t like it? I wasn’t interested in it, then was reading such good reviews I thought I might have to try it. Now I don’t!
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Paper Towns by John Green – Audiobook Review =-.
I’m sorry to hear this didn’t quite work for you, Meghan! I thought all their imaginings were incredibly strange, but they didn’t feel mean-spirited to me. I can see why not everyone would agree, though.
Bummer! I definitely still want to read this book, but am glad I know to temper my expectations. Thanks for the review.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Book Review: This Is Not The Story You Think It Is: A Season of Unlikely Happiness – Laura Munson =-.