(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.