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Summary: Absolutely delightful!
Review: Joan Aiken sets the mood beautifully in this period piece about the adventures of two young girls. Any reader who enjoys being transported into the England of old (yet not so long ago) will relish the opportunity to visit Willoughby Chase again and again.There are already a number of excellent reviews here, so I won't reinvent the wheel by giving my own synopsis. I will point out that the book is by no means perfect. There are a few (VERY few, but they are still there) words and phrases that would probably have been better left out or changed. However, it is essential that one look at the whole rather than the sum of its parts -- this book is truly a masterpiece in spite of these tiny flaws. I cannot tell you how lovely a picture Joan Aiken paints of this little world. I was given this wonderful book as a child in primary school (I am now 23) and I have read the book countless times over. In fact, I was so incensed with the book that it inspired me to write my first screenplay adaptation. While I'm sure it won't be hitting the big screen any time soon, it was delightful to have an inspiration to begin a small amateur writing career, a hobby which gives me great pleasure. I do hope that others will find the book as enjoyable, and maybe inspiring as well.
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Summary: The Human Wolves are the Worst!
Review: This book will appeal to pre teen girls, since the heroines are two young cousins who survive mainly by their wits and because of their devotion to each other. Three new arrivals at Willoughby Chase--4 hours from London--impact the quiet country estate. On the eve of the parents' departure for sunny climes due to the mother's delicate health, the kindly squire fails to scrutinize the face (and heart) of his distant cousin, one Miss Slighcarp. This villainess plans to curb Bonnie's impulsive nature and to cower timid Sylvia once the adults leave. We soon
discover that this "governess" is not alone in her scheme to take over the estate and disinherit the girls. This delightful book begs to be read aloud; defying the usual genre definition, it charms readers with its style. Wolves are very much a part of the story, as they were a serious threat to human life decades ago. Roaming in voracious packs, they are a nocturnal menace to children and adults alike. Fortunately we meet two loyal servants and an enterprising goose boy, who bravely step forth to defy Slighcarp and her cronies. This book is reminiscent of Dickens, with the strange names of many characters (which might just be personality hints), and the author's shocking expose of harsh conditions in an "orphanage," which proves more a workhouse or prison. The children are resouceful and pro-active--not at all the passive victims which Miss Slighcarp had anticipated. Thus the Deus ex machina ending still satisfies. I just loved the London cops riding the train to the county, intent to teach the local constabulary their job! WOLVES is a cute, clever and highly enjoyable read--for kids of all ages.
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Summary: Old wornout teacher says this #1
Review: Many years ago a parent of one of my fourth grade students gave me the book to read to the children...OK and I threw it on the shelf and promptly forgot the book.
A few months later I was doing a miserable job on a Social Science and the lesson just wasn't working in short it stunk. In utter desperation I reached for the book and the rest is history since then I have read the book 26 times.......I figure about 650 children have had that story read to them..now they are reading it to their children,,,And the beat goes on. After writing this review I am going to read it for the 27th time it is that good. Joan Aiken is a master craftsperson with words
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Summary: All ages will like this good story![.]
Review: I am 62 and just read this book for the first time, as all the children at the library told me about it. I think everybody loves a good story and this is just cracking good. It would be suitable for ages 8 to 100! :)
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Summary: My all-time favorite children's book
Review: This is my all-time favorite children's book, and I still have the copy that my parents gave me for my birthday in 1967 (just don't ask me which birthday). I am delighted to find that it is back in print. I coaxed my then-11-year-old son into reading it last year as part of his summer reading (I got fed up with all the Sonic the Hedgehog comics that he was trying to pass off as reading material), and although he started it under duress he quickly got hooked. Wonder if he'll do the same with his eventual children? It's that kind of book.
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Summary: like revisiting childhood friends
Review: I first read this book when I was in elementary school, which was a longer time ago then I would like to think about! Upon re-reading it, I found it just as delightful now as it was then.
The story concerns two cousins, one who lives in poverty and the other in great wealth. The poor cousin, named Sylvia, journeys to meet her wealthy cousin, named Bonnie, and they become very close very quickly. They then undergo a series of trials and hardships together, but I don't want to give away too much, so I won't go into detail.
The real beauty of this book is Joan Aiken wonderful ability to describe just enough to delight, and allow your imagination to fill in all of the details. Some authors tell you too much, others too little, Joan gets it just right. I really felt like in reading this book, I was reunited with long lost friends.
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Summary: Nothing to do with wolves unless you count Miss Slighcarp...
Review: Life seems to be perfect for Sylvia at her new home with her cousin Bonnie. Willoughby Chase was the best thing that ever happened to her. She was quite ready to plunge into her new life of luxury. But after her Aunt and Uncle go on a cruise, they discover the governess Mr. Willoughby engaged, the notorious Miss Slighcarp, is the crueltest ever. She dismissed all the servents, sold the ponies, toys, and furniture, and sent Bonnie and Sylvia to a most terrible orphangage in the city. With the help of their friend Simon, they manage to get away from the orphanage. When they get back to Willoughby Chase they find one of their faithful servants is still there. But, they hear that Bonnie's parents may have been shipwrecked beacause of Miss Slighcarp. Can they save Bonnie's parents and Willoughby Chase in time? You can not put this book down until you have turned the last page. By Rachael
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Summary: Wonderful Wolves!
Review: Well, alright, so the wolves aren't so wonderful, but the book *is*. I'm nineteen now and it's *still* one of my favourites. My copy is on my "Favourite Books Shelf", and of course I'm gradually buying the whole series.
I'm not sure what I can add to the reviews that have already been posted. A summary could only tell you what the book's *about* not why it's so wonderful...
I think that the first book I read was "Black Hearts..." and I decided that I needed to read the preceding book, and then I was hooked. Joan Aiken is one of the best children's authors of all time! I read the books to my younger siblings and, when the time comes, I'll read them to my own children.
Unlike a lot of books that are out there, these books give children (and adults) heros and heroines who are both good and believable. I find myself at times wondering "What would Dido do in that situation?" when reading other books.
I know this is not much of a review, but I honestly don't know how to explain *how* it is that the Wolves of Willoughby Chase managed to bespell me so completely.
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Summary: Page turning suspence book!
Review: The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is one of my all time favorite books. It is a page turning suspence book. Not a boring part in the entire book. We read this book in class and when the teacher stopped we wanted to go to school the next day! Talk about a great book! This book is great, now I have a copy myself. This is not only a childrens book, It is a family book too:)!
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Summary: Perfect Children's Adventure
Review: This is one of the best children's books around, although it seems to be known by very few people. In many ways it is the ultimate children's adventure, and has all of the elements I liked best from other stories... all in one book. It has an adventurous rich girl, and a poor little orphan, terrifying wolves, a winter train journey, an evil governess, a brave stableboy, a dark coal cellar, and daring escapes. The best part of this book is how atmospheric it is... you can almost feel cold of the blizzard and hear the howls of the wolves. I recommend people read this in the middle of winter in front of a roaring fireplace for best effect!
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