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trio's review
5.0
"The Dolls' House" tells the story of Tottie and her wooden doll family who live in a shoebox and dream of having a real home. Their dream comes true when Emily and Charlotte gift them a Victorian dolls' house, but the arrival of Marchpane, a beautiful yet unkind doll, disrupts their peace.
I had planned to read this in December as a holiday choice, but I couldn't resist starting it sooner! I love how this story really captures childhood, blending happy moments with challenges, the power of wishes, and hopefullness. It beautifully portrays the magic of dolls and dollhouses while conveying valuable lessons about family togetherness and individuality. A quick and sweet read for any age group.
I had planned to read this in December as a holiday choice, but I couldn't resist starting it sooner! I love how this story really captures childhood, blending happy moments with challenges, the power of wishes, and hopefullness. It beautifully portrays the magic of dolls and dollhouses while conveying valuable lessons about family togetherness and individuality. A quick and sweet read for any age group.
charity_royall_331's review
5.0
This is the kind of book I loved as a child -- the inner lives of toys -- and at nearly fifty, my tastes haven't changed. A delightful story of a doll family, told in shifting third-person-limited points of view: the dolls' and their owners'. There is surprising and subtle wisdom here, too, and perfect illustrations by Tasha Tudor. Very glad I finally got around to this.
caringcatiecary's review
5.0
An old favourite re-read after dunnamany years and still love it to bits.
starrysheep's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mefrost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
claudiamccarron's review
4.0
I was lucky enough to find the 1962 edition illustrated by Tasha Tudor at a second-hand bookshop, and it is gorgeous. Godden's story is a perfect match for Tudor's style.
friedeggpoppy's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
situationnormal's review
3.0
Not a creepy doll book in the least but it does pull a couple of heart strings and have some charm. Most of its appeal is in the age and the timeless living dolls with feelings tropes.
shighley's review
3.0
I read this because an author mentioned it as COVID comfort reading during a panel. The book I got through interlibrary loan was almost like the dolls in the book; somewhat fragile, yellowing pages... but the outside cover seemed indestructible. Purchased by the library in 1998, it had one due date stamped on the back page (but maybe they automated soon after.)
Here I am as an adult reading a children's book but having to remind myself that although it might have seemed there were conversations among the dolls and humans, there were not. I may not look at a doll the same way again, and I will wonder which ones are bullies!
Here I am as an adult reading a children's book but having to remind myself that although it might have seemed there were conversations among the dolls and humans, there were not. I may not look at a doll the same way again, and I will wonder which ones are bullies!