The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows is a children's novel by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animals in a pastoral version of England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie and celebrated for its evocation of the nature of the Thames valley. In 1908 Grahame retired from his position as secretary of the Bank of England. He moved back to Cookham, Berkshire, where he had been brought up and spent his time by the River Thames doing much as the animal characters in his book do-namely, as one of the phrases from the book says, "simply messing about in boats"-and wrote down the bed-time stories he had been telling his son Alistair.
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Community Reviews
I picked up this book as part of a summer reading experience, and I'm not sorry I did. The caricatures of the various animals as part of a larger morality play were cunning and enjoyable. The scenes of lazy afternoons on the English river did sound wonderful and I wanted so to be there.
However, I grew up watching the Disney interpretation of this, "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad," as well as riding on the "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at Disneyland. I have to say, I'm kind of disappointed that the book did not end, as the ride does, with Mr. Toad being hit by a train and then going to Hell. For most of the book the reader feels as if Toad is destined for such an end, and I've read much more gruesome children's books so I wasn't ready to put it past Kenneth Grahame, but I suppose it's for the best that Toad turns out improved and distinctly alive at the end.
Still, it was an enjoyable read, even for an adult.
However, I grew up watching the Disney interpretation of this, "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad," as well as riding on the "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" at Disneyland. I have to say, I'm kind of disappointed that the book did not end, as the ride does, with Mr. Toad being hit by a train and then going to Hell. For most of the book the reader feels as if Toad is destined for such an end, and I've read much more gruesome children's books so I wasn't ready to put it past Kenneth Grahame, but I suppose it's for the best that Toad turns out improved and distinctly alive at the end.
Still, it was an enjoyable read, even for an adult.
Toad is an ass. He seems to take advantage of every one he can. I especially disliked the way he used thé gaolers daughter. Ugh to the boastful, arrogant, conceited Toad. How he deserved such loyal friends as Mole and Rat and Badger, I do not know.
Rat confuses me. Ready to travel, and then not. Just like that.
And in the current climate of unrest, I can't help but see Toad as a symbol of white supremacy... always coming out on top...argh!
Rat confuses me. Ready to travel, and then not. Just like that.
And in the current climate of unrest, I can't help but see Toad as a symbol of white supremacy... always coming out on top...argh!
The same fab story, with a twist that the pronouns have been changed, making it a story of female friendship and union. Girls supporting girls.
Loved that.
It was such a pleasure to come back to The Wind in the Willows as an adult. It was not a favourite of mine as a child, and I am not sure I have ever read the full version, but this abridged edition has been thoughtfully put together with beautiful illustrations and enough of the text to capture the original style and content. Kenneth Grahame writes so visually and poetically, transporting his readers into the magical world of Mole, Ratty, Badge and Toad. I was reading it with my six year old and, as much as he loved the characters and stories, he sometimes struggled to engage with the longer, more detailed descriptions and to comprehend the older-style language and vocabulary. Still wonderful though and I hope to revisit with him when he is a little older.
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