(no subject)

[oyceter]

coffeeandink says: "I love A Little Princess! It is all about stories and pet rats and cold garrets and really kind of frightening stoicism, in retrospect. It was my favorite story in the world when I was nine years old."

I read this and had one of those moments in which a lot more things about me made sense. I read A Little Princess back in third grade or so; it's one of the books read prior to moving to Taiwan, so it's very early on in my mental development, or something.

And I adored it, and loved Sara, and pretty much wanted to be Sara. I loved the Magic and India and the dreary rooftops of London, as well as how secretly angry Sara could be and her kindness. I still remember her little speech to herself on staring Miss Minchin down and how she was stronger in the end because she wouldn't let her anger out like Miss Minchin did. And of course, I loved it because she read, and even in third grade, I found a kindred spirit when she tells one of her friends just how she feels when someone interrupts her while she's in the middle of a good book.

Sara Crewe was the reason why I was interested in the French Revolution and why I thought (and still sometimes think) that dolls and stuffed animals magically come to life behind closed doors.

Also, pet rats.

It all makes sense, I tell you!!

Comments

[chi-zu.livejournal.com]

I LOVE A Little Princess! I still read it to this day every time I go home, so about once a year. My favorite part is when the magic works, she's so hungry, and then she's happy and warm and fed. The food always sounds so good, I'm salivating just thinking about it. I also love reading about her dolls and all their clothes. Dollclothes were a big thing with me when I was growing up. In retrospect, it was inevitable that I became a costumer.

I always related strongly to Sara. She was something of a loner, her intelligence and imagination set her apart from her peers even while she befriended them. I've always felt, though more keenly then than now, that most people didn't want to think about things as deeply as I did. I think I felt that Sara had the same problem.

[oyceter]

Yeah, me too! I wondered for ages and ages after what a bon-bon was. (actually, I'm still not sure) And I always wanted Sara's rose-colored butterfly dress.

[canandagirl.livejournal.com]

My absolute favorite children's story which has traveled with me is "The Dragon of Og" by Rumer Godden. It's about a beautiful, shy dragon which lives in the bottom of a pool in the Scottish countryside. Every month he eats two bullocks, and the country folk don't think anything of this since the dragon leaves them alone. However, the country folk get a new lord who arrives at the castle with his new lady wife.

The lady makes friends with the dragon, but the lord gets all upset about the 2 bullocks a month eating habit. He pays a knight to come kill the dragon, and the dragon lets the knight chop off his head, (this is really a nice story). The knight feels bad about this and gives the lord his money back and puts the head back on the dragon. The lady tries to comfort the dragon and she makes her husband make amends. The lord is stubborn and refuses to give in the cows, but making enough mead and porridge for the dragon is basically making everyone else go hungry. Finally the lord relents, and the dragon can have his two bullocks.

It's a cute story and the pictures of the dragon are really nice.

[oyceter]

Oh that's so cool! I should look that one up.

[literaticat.livejournal.com]

My sister has a theory that every girl (who read the books) is either a Little Princess Girl or a Secret Garden Girl. My sister is a total Mary. I liked Secret Garden, but I am totally a Sara.

We have to develop the theory more, but basically, a Sara might get upset or angry, but is able to master her emotions, particularly because of her well-developed imagination, and with a Sara, it takes a lot to bring her down.

A Mary is essentially a realist, but is controlled BY her emotions ... and it takes a lot to cheer her up.

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

((stunned)) OMG, I am TOTALLY a Mary. I liked ALP well enough, but really loved SG.

[chi-zu.livejournal.com]

That...That's brilliant!

I am in awe.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

I think I'm more of a Sara, except that I'm vengeful like Mary.

[oyceter]

I liked Secret Garden, but I read it after A Little Princess and am definitely a Sara! Or... well, hopefully I can master my emotions ;).

And the book and rat bits are right on.