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Summary: A brilliant, charming, uplifting, funny, moving tale!
Review: Kenneth Grahame's classic was recommended to me by several people over the years, but I just got around to reading it--at age 46! It was even better than I'd been led to believe. Everybody mentions the lovable buffoon Mr. Toad, but to me one of the greatest aspects of this book was the fantastically vivid nature writing. I don't believe I've ever read such evocative descriptions of landscapes, seasons, and their effects on the perceptive observer. Do you find "classics" boring? Well then, you won't regard "The Wind in the Willows" as a classic, because the stories and characters will seem as alive to you as anything else in life. A pure delight, and I look forward to reading it again and again. (Psst--The text of the book is available for free from Project Gutenberg if you want to sneak a peek.)
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Summary: Charm
Review: Kenneth Grahame wrote this for his son and published this in book form in 1908. He has simply created a masterpiece, not just in children's literature, believe me many adults read this one with pleasure. The chapters follow the doings and adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger, and of course Toad. The prose is lyrical at times, the stories hilarious, and charm and wisdom flow from Grahame's pen. There has been many illustrators for different editions of this over the years. I like Rackham and Shepard and recommend the editions that have one or the others illustrations, or get two copies of "The Wind in the Willows" and you can have both of these fine illustrators work to enjoy. I read this book when a child and I come back to it again and again.
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Summary: A primer on friendship
Review: The Wind in the Willows is a delightful children's classic that touches upon many things; wonder, pastoralism, but most of all friendship between individuals very different from one another. One of the hallmarks of this classic is that the adventure stories remain entertaining to this day. A must read for any child.
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Summary: One of the Greats
Review: Only Kipling's Jungle book, rivals this as the classic talking animal book for children. With his beautiful prose, Grahame evokes laughter, suspense, pleasure and even awe. Water Rat, Mole, Badger, Otter, and the insufferable Toad quickly gain our interest and sympathy. If you buy it to read to children, beware! You may not be able to resist reading ahead a few chapters after you put them to bed. This is a book not to be missed. The scene in which Pan appears as the animals' protector inspired a song by Van Morrison, and a mention in Jane Goodall's book, A Reason for Hope. From it a child of any age will get fun, wonder, and a demonstration of the beautiful possibilities of the English language.
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Summary: A very beautiful book---for adults
Review: I'm almost embarrassed to admit how much I love "The Wind in the Willows." I'd seen a movie version, with Eric Idle, I think, and knew it was kind of cute--substituting little animals for middle-aged Edwardian gentlemen, with all their foibles. But the book is so much more. It's abslutely lovely on issues like the true meaning of good fellowship, wanderlust vs. the pleasures of home, decency, conceit, the beauty of nature, faddism, etc. The section on Rat and Mole submitting to the lure of Pan is beyond moving: it's just gorgeous. As pointed out by another reviewer, Grahame's strength is not in his plotting. It's not clear why the police don't follow Toad to his family estate and just arrest him there for his various high crimes and misdemeanors, and the old fellow's final conversion to good sense is completely out of nowhere. But his bluster and beligerance are very funny , and his escapades, however unbelievable are always enjoyable. It's important to note, though, that this book isn't really even for older children or young adults. It's more like Trollope than Baum (though it's much more rhapsodic than either). It will be most satisfying for the middle-aged or elderly, I think. I certainly wouldn't advise trying to read it to your kids: it's one of those books that sells each generation in children's book sections in spite of never actually being enjoyed (and probably rarely finished) by more than a small handful of kids. Descriptions of the effects of smells, underground architecture, and comforting provisions are not up most 8-year-old alleys, even if some children will find Toad's preposterous escape from prison (as a washerwoman) and several of the drawings funny. I'm glad, however, that the success of "Wind in the Willows" miraculously persists, even if this is largely due to its cache as "a classic." Because whether it's for kids or not, it's a wise and beautiful book.
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Summary: Delightful animal Idyll
Review: This childhood favorite is as fresh and charming as when it was first published--and when my father read it to us with obvious . delight when we were kids. The animal protagonists--Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad--remind us of folks we know, which endears them to us with their all-too-human dreams and foibles. For both People and Creatures struggle to survive in the forests and streams of life. Exhausted from his strenuous spring cleaning, Mole sets out into the world Aboveground, where he discovers the joys and challenges of riverbank life with his new friend and host, the water rat. But beware the perils lurking in the adjacent Wild Wood! Kenneth Grahame weaves a gentle tale with willow strands of friendship, dedication to ideals and personal sacrifice for others. Come ride the roads with Toady, and scull down the river with Ratty; savor the sentimental whisperings of Home with Mole. Then join the ranks of Badger's Avengers to honor ancestral memories. This beloved classic combines humor and pathos with lively adventure in an animal realm which closely parallels human endeavor. This book is a true gem, to be rediscovered by successive generations and treasured by children of all ages!
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Summary: Uneven Version
Review: "Wind" is the charming story of four friends living near the river bank - Mole, Badger, Rat and Toad. The story follows their adventures in the Wide World, and how true friendship keeps them together through "thick and thin." Unfortunately, the story loses some of its appeal in this video version. It tells the tale well enough, but it just doesn't have the feel of a "classic." Sometimes, you have to read the book to fully appreciate it! Good, not great. Three stars.
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Summary: Toads adventures
Review: At the start of this book, it's boring, but by the middle it gets exciting. In the beginning, it is difficult because you don't know what they're doing and what the author is trying to say. However, keep reading. It gets exciting because the characters get into more trouble. This book is good for ages 10-56. The main characters are Mole, Rat, Badger and Mr. Toad. Badger doesn't show up a lot but he is important to the story. This book is about a mole, named Mole, who meets a water rat, named Rat. Rat brings Mole on a picnic so Rat and Mole go on Rat's boat to go on a picnic. On the way there, they meet Otter. The next day they go meet Mr. Toad at his home, Toad Hall. Toad invites them to go on a trip in a gypsy caravan. They go with him and one day a motor car goes by the caravan and Mr. Toad falls in love. He will go to any height to get it. Even steal one, which gets him, put in jail. The washerwoman's niece wants to break him out but it will cost him money. The washerwoman lets him go out in her clothes. He makes it out but he has no money and the police are gaining on him. The engine -driver lets him on free because the driver thinks he is a washerwoman. How will he get out of this mess? Will the wits and minds of Mole, Rat and Badger combined bring Toad to his senses? Read "The Winds in the Willows" to find out.
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Summary: Full of Fantasy, wonder and awe! A book for all ages
Review: This was a wonderful book showing the importance of friendships between all types of creatures great and small. It also shows the respect that is given between animals for eachother. I recomend this book to anyone who loves to sit down to a book full of fantasy, practical thoughts, suspense, friendship and much more.
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Summary: Put down Redwall and pick up The Wind in the Willows
Review: I really loved this book because there was a lot of action. Mr. Grahame is wonderful in the way that he combines people and animals so flawlessly. All of the characters are extremely realistic.
Mr. Mole and Mr. Rat live by the river and are best friends. One of their other friends is Mr. Toad. Mr. Toad is what many people call vain but what I call stupid. He flits from fad to fad, never once doing something for more than a week at a time. Currently, he is absolutely obsesed with motor-cars. When Mr. Toad steals a motor-car and ends up in jail, the weasels take over his home. It takes all of the animals help to win back Toad Hall again.
Anyone who enjoys a a great fantasy story will love The Wind in the Willows. However, I strongly recommend this book to the lovers of the Redwall series and Tailchaser's Song.
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