The Wind In The Willows

Discussion in 'Reading & Writing' started by Vernon LaRue, Feb 10, 2021.

  1. Vernon LaRue

    Vernon LaRue Well-Known Member
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    Anyone ever read this? It's a book I find myself going back to. Love the fun and freedom of two buddies messing around on boats all day.
     
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  2. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    The title is familiar, but I do not think that I have read this book. Can you tell us more about it , please, @Vernon LaRue ?
    I do remember the song, and it was one of my favorites back in the 50’s. I know it has nothing to do with the book, but just had to mention it.

     
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  3. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Is that an adaptation of the British children's book about critters mucking about on the water?

    I recall the original by reference only...I never read it.
     
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  4. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    The Wind in the Willows is a delightful children's book. But I think it works best as a read aloud book. I'm not sure a 7 or 8 year old can read it well. I absolutely love the illustrations in my copy.

    DSCN3585.JPG

    DSCN3595.JPG

    ^^^^Back cover^^^^^

    DSCN3596.JPG


    DSCN3604.JPG DSCN3606.JPG
     
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  5. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    We had that when I was a child so I'm sure I read it. I don't remember much about it, though. The illustrations remind me of the Br'er Rabbit books.
     
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  6. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    OMG! The Br'er Rabbit books. I never laughed so hard as I did when Br'er Rabbit got stuck to the Tar Baby and told Br'er Fox to throw him in the briar patch.

    The Uncle Remus stories always had a lesson. It makes me sad that they are not available anymore. I have a copy of a book that has them in the original version.
     
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  7. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I love me some Joel Chandler Harris.

    The fake pleas of "Please don't throw me in the briar patch" have resonated throughout my life with so many human manipulators, as have a lot of the lessons in Aesop's Fables.
     
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  8. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    They're still available, but probably not in schools.

    uncle-remus.jpg

    Back on-topic, though, I see that The Wind in the Willows has several adaptations, including operas, musicals, animated films, and even a live action TV film.
     
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    Last edited: Feb 10, 2021
  9. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I saw that as well. Then last year (I think it was 2020) someone made an all-female version of the book. Now all the fictional animal characters are fictional female animal characters. Makes me feel fictionally empowered...or fictionally animalistic...or something.

    It's funny, as familiar all this is to me, I still do not recall ever having read it. Is this book something that regained notoriety in our adult lives so as to put it on my radar screen then? It ain't ringing any preadolescent bells.
     
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  10. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I know we had it at home when I was a kid, and I read everything I could get my hands on. The Uncle Remus and Br'er Rabbit stuff creeped me out when I was very young, for reasons I'm not sure about, but I still read them.

    Now that someone mentioned it, I am probably going to end up buying The Wind in the Willows.
     
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  11. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    The Uncle Remus stuff had the weird Tar Baby that was not animated to be a living creature. It creeped me out as well.
     
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  12. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    Ken, I'll sell you my copy if you have enough money. It ain't cheap, though. :D
     
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  13. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    About ten bucks on Amazon - free in the Kindle version - so I think I'll stick with that, thank you - not the Kindle version, but the $10 copy.
     
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  14. Vernon LaRue

    Vernon LaRue Well-Known Member
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    It is.
     
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  15. Vernon LaRue

    Vernon LaRue Well-Known Member
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