Reviews

The Railway Children Illustrated by E. Nesbit

jds70's review against another edition

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5.0

I adored this book! Published in book form in 1906 (it was printed in serial form the previous year), it is about the adventures of three young siblings who move to the country with their mother when their father has to go away. Why he left is revealed later. Peter, Roberta, and Phyllis discover the train passing near their house, & the train station, & make friends with several lovable adults. They save a train, a boy, & meet a very kind old man.

The children are smart, independent, sweet, & so like regular children. They can be selfish & fight, but always come together & show kindness to others. I wish more people were like this nowadays. I've never read Edith Nesbit before, sadly, & I will have to catch up on her books.

graylodge_library's review against another edition

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3.0

BBC Radio 7

linn1378's review against another edition

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3.0

These children are so implausibly nice and good and polite and generous - but I like them anyway.

The great thing is to be cheerful. Nobody can be cheerful in the dark except owls and dormice.

If everybody thought of everything, there'd be nothing left for anybody else to think about.

oui_oui_baguette's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

liekeparnassia's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

lottie1803's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

nickjonesreadsbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

Cute but nothing terribly special. I read this mainly because C.S. Lewis loved Nesbit's work. Nothing magical happened in this book though...just your typical good children doing good and saving the day sort of tale.

dawngarrett's review against another edition

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4.0

Really enjoyable. Imperfect children, adventures, familial love and life. I did so enjoy this. Nesbit's voice was genuine and kind and the reader did a nice job. I can see L'Engle enjoying this a lot - and Nesbit, Montgomery, and MacDonald being a three cord influence on what she herself wrote.

cartoonmicah's review against another edition

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5.0

The first time I finished this book, I had to stop reading it in public because I started crying and thought I might sob violently.

The second time I read it, I cried more than the first time and in more places.

If you believe in love as brave action on the behalf of others, The Railway Children will fill and soothe you.

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First read - March 2014

Reread (audiobook) - June 2018


This book is superbly written and inspiring for anyone who is a child or believes in childhood.

My first glance... http://mlanders.com/2014/03/11/e-nesbits-brave-tone-and-the-depths-of-whimsy/

My full review... http://mlanders.com/2014/03/24/55-classics-review-4-the-railway-children-by-edith-nesbit/

hannahsbooksandblackcats's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Listened to the audiobook. Beautiful and charming. Narration by Olivia Coleman was full of warmth.