9 May 2017

LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.

LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY by FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT.

BACK COVER BLURB: Growing up in a poor New York neighbourhood, Cedric Errol appears to be a normal American boy. However, as he discovers when he meets his grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, he is actually Lord Fauntleroy, and is expected to become an English gentleman. Whisked away from his mother and his friends, Cedric must find a way to convince his grandfather to send him home and show him that there is more to nobility than titles and wealth

FIRST SENTENCE {1. A GREAT SURPRISE}: Cedric himself knew nothing whatever about it.

MEMORABLE MOMENT {PAGE 86}: He had employed most of his noble leisure  in quarrelling violently with them, in turning them out of his house and applying abusive epithets to them - and they all hated them cordially.

SOURCE: Part of the Junior Classics range. I received this from Alma Books.

READ FOR: Not applicable.

MY THOUGHTS: A beautiful novel, a moral tale wrapped in innocence. If I had to sum Little Lord Fauntleroy up in one word it would be... delightful, simply delightful.

Typically predictable of the rag to riches genre, of every novel in which good prevails, in which a cold-heart is thawed by an individual so sweet, so pure, so beautiful, as to be angelic.

Yes, Cedric, the little Lord Faunteroy of the title, is so flawless as to be sickeningly nauseating. His grandfather, a bit of a pantomime villain (or was it just me who mentally booed every time he was mentioned?), the quintessential Victorian gentleman landowner, embittered and in need of redemption.

The kind of story that is ideally read whilst wrapped in a blanket sat before a roaring fire and sipping hot chocolate. It's right up there if you are looking for a book that is pure, arguably twee, Victoriana.


10 comments:

Kelly said...

This is a story that I've always heard of, yet never read. A time and a place for everything and I believe there was certainly a time in my life I would have loved this. Who knows, maybe even now.

Suko said...

Tracy, I'm glad that you found LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY delightful. I enjoyed reading the Memorable Moment (such a clever idea). Your review is wonderful,too,of course!

Anonymous said...

Tracy,
Like Kelly, I haven't read
"Little Lord Fauntleroy" yet.
And although I appreciated
your excellent and honest
review, I am uncertain about
it.
Raven

Gina said...

I've heard of this story, but never actually read it. Sounds interesting enough, and I love your chosen word DELIGHTFUL. Thanks for the share!

Melliane said...

It's nice. It is a new one to me

Brian Joseph said...

This is such a famous story. Though I have never read it I feel that I am familiar with the story. I remember seeing a very old film version of this.

Thanks for the review Tracy, I may try to get a reading of this in during the current months.

Barbara said...

I can’t believe I’ve never read this. I know the story of course so I must have seen a TV adaptation or something. I've read and enjoyed A little princess also by Frances Hodgson Burnett, so I’m sure I would enjoy this. Hope you are feeling much better now Tracy.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Wow, your review has me adding the title to my Must Read list. I've heard the title throughout my life but know nothing more about it. Thanks for telling me more :)

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I have never read this book and it looks like I need to change that. Sounds delightful!

The Bookworm said...

This does sound like a sweet and cozy read.