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Summary: A Book For All Ages ... and For The Ages
Review: I first read Elizabeth Goudge when I was 11 and I fell instantly in love with her writing. I read this book later than some of her others and I was enchanted immediately; and every time I re-read it, the enchantment returns. While I read, I am with Maria and Robin at Moonacre Manor, riding with them on their adventures, singing the Bell Song, confronting the Men of the Black Wood. I was thrilled to buy my own copy so I can read it whenever I want and not rely on the Public Library. And despite the fact that my copy has only the endpiece illustration of the Manor and its grounds, I can picture everyone and everywhere vividly. Goudge is a writer of true genius. Everything her characters do is completely consistent. Even the religion in the plot, and there is a lot, is not offensive or preachy. It fits perfectly into the whole ambience of the book. This is because Goudge was herself a deeply religious woman and the value she found in her faith is an integral part of all her novels. This book is worth 10 of most of the modern children's books. Moonacre Manor stands proudly with Narnia and Middle Earth.
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Summary: The magic is real...
Review: This was the favorite book of my childhood. I loved the old English setting, Maria's tower room, and all the details of her life - but what I liked most of all was the unique quality this story has of hovering somewhere between fairy tale and real life, between fantasy and reality. There is just enough magic to make you believe that, just maybe, it could be true, it could happen to you. At the heart of the story is the poignant, dream-like image of the little white horse- I think consciously put in as a symbol of all those vague, undefined, unspoken longings that are hidden deep inside ourselves. I wrote a college paper on this book in my twenties and could still see no flaws in it; only now in my fourties reading it to my daughter am I able to note that the writing is a bit clumsy and heavy handed at times. But I still can't stop hoping - believing - that someday, looking down a forest glade, I at last will see the glowing unicorn in the distance.
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Summary: enchanting
Review: This is one of those books that keeps reappearing in my life, a pleasant surprise each time. I still have vivid memories of my second grade teacher taking my copy away from me because i insisted on reading it under my desk while she was trying to teach another subject. I forgot the name and the title and only rmembered bits of the stroy until i ran across it in another town in another state and reaquainted myself with Maria and everybody else. There are strong Christian messages underlying the story, but they are not overly preachy, something that can be extremely annoying. The fantasy in here is not overwhelming and definetely not a Tolkien rip off. This is a good "comfort book", to return to frequently. Another of this author's books is "Linnets and Valerians", it seems to have slipped into obscurity.
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Summary: Magical
Review: I read this book for the first time when I was 22, I am so sorry that I didn't know about it when I was a child. This is a book that every girl, no matter what their age, should read. It had mystery, romance, magic, beauty, and animals. The pictures that are written are beautiful and vivid. There is so much passion set into every word written. If you read nothing else, read this! You will laugh and cry from the magic and beauty of it all.
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Summary: The Magic of The Little White Horse
Review: The Little White Horse is an exceptional and magical book. I have read few books that can compare with the imaginative imagery, the depth of the characters and the originality of the story. The protagonist, Maria Merryweather, is thirteen years old at the start of the book. She, her governess, and her pet dog, are travelling to Merryweather Manor by coach to stay with her great-uncle after her father's death. Her explorations of the delightully described manor and the nearby village of Silverydew lead her to see that not all is as happy as it seems. Before she knows it, she finds a destiny before her that builds up to a decision between selfishness, as her ancestors have done, and humbleness and selflessness. Only then can the wrongs be righted and Maria see her little white horse she dreams of. I enjoyed the book because of the lovely descriptions of the manor and the valley, and the realisticness of the characters. Maria and her friends are not perfect heroes and heroines, but they are lovable and their character developing is crucial to the plot. The book keeps you reading as you discover with Maria the secrets of the manor and the village. Elizabeth Goudge's skillful imagery conjure up a wonderful picture of the 19th century English town where the magic is timeless. If you enjoy fantasy and magic, you will love this book.
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Summary: A wonderful book...
Review: I, personally, loved this book. It has the perfect amount of humor and romance in it, something I love in all books. I also love fantasy, but since I am a Christian it is rather hard to find Christian fantasy that my mom will approve of. I would say that it is a wonderful, funny book that someone of any age will love.
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Summary: My childhood favorite
Review: I must have read this book 10 or 15 times while I was growing up (from age 8 up through age 15 or so)-- I have always read avidly, but this book is one of the few I would want with me on a desert island. The book has a credible romance, adventure and mystery to satisfy those who like plot-driven writing, and a writing tone which, for some reason, I always found extraordinarily comforting. I'm excited to find it again as an adult.
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Summary: all-time favorite book!
Review: I first read "Little White Horse" when I was 7 with my mother. It was her copy from when she was my age. This book will always remain a source of magic and delight that I haven't found recreated in a book since the new Harry Potter books. I love this book so much, every child and adult should read it!
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Summary: Fantastic imagery and, oh, what a story!
Review: I can't believe I never read this book when I was a child. What a fantastic tale. I especially loved the spiritual element. Your kids will eat it up. Reminded me a bit of The Secret Garden, but with magic -- a sensible, natural magic that fits right into the story. Again, wonderful!
Rating: 
Summary: Quite charming
Review: The Little White Horse is a fun little fantasy, filled with a nice sense of atmosphere and a swiftly moving plot. While some events are a little too predictable and perfect to be believable, the delighted wonder they create surpasses these minor flaws. In fact, I only had two quibbles with the novel, though they considerably reduced my enjoyment of the story as a whole. To start off with, I wasn't really fond of the character of Maria, much preferring Mary from The Secret Garden, and secondly, there were several derogatory comments directed at atheists which I found quite offensive. The whole religious slant detracted from my reading pleasure and partially ruined for me what would have otherwise been a perfectly delightful book. Oh well. Other similar books include The 13 Clocks by James Thurber, Peppermints in the Parlor, The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye, and The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt.
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