Appearance
Little Lord Fauntleroy
This book was received exactly as described. Also, I might add that this is a most delightful book and teaches much about attitude and respect.
Little Lord Fauntleroy
I generally lean toward old classics in selecting books to read to my precocious 6-yr old. This one is undoubtedly a classic, it is indeed very good literature, excellently written -- everything the other reviewers have said. Nevertheless, its story, its conflict, its central preoccupation revolves around a very British idea of class: one's "quality" as a person is determined by one's birth. This is antithetical to the very idea of America and will be much too hard to explain to a child. Yet if I wait until he is older, he will probably be turned off by the idealized, syrupy characterization.
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Of course, his Little Lordship was a tad too good to be true (and I've a sneaking suspicion that he'd be what one would consider nowadays as queer - not gay, just weird -- what with sunshine just emanating in smothering waves from him).This story makes for a light, amusing escape. Escape from the ghastliness of how people nowadays treat each other: often with suspicion, bluntness, and - dare I say it - parasitism. `User-friendly' is practically a code to live by. A person is approached with an eye out for what s/he could possibly *do* for you. Don't know yet what that favor could be? Then just keep that person in one's "social network" `til he can prove to be of some worth one day.But the little hero of this story frighteningly succeeds in shaming that aspect of the human condition. And he does nothing more than be naturally warm, steadfastly friendly and loyal, and blessedly oblivious to the coarser nature of those around him. He collects friends *not* because he yearns to be that person who is known to have the `most-number-of-friends-in-his-friends-list', but because people irresistibly, inevitably, find themselves charmed and absolutely tickled to make his acquaintance.This 7-year old boy is the delight of nannies and the nightmare of school bullies. The first for the obvious reasons: a sweet yet mature disposition; and the second because, even if he gets pummeled at school (which, let's face it, would be more than likely - remember, he calls his mother by the name `Dearest'), he would just as soon turn to the bully and offer to rehabilitate him, proffering a hand of friendship, honest sympathy and earnestness on his `golden handsome' countenance. A look of horror would then creep on the bully's face as he gapes at this sickeningly sweet boy who just refuses to cry uncle and is now offering to befriend him. The bully then turns and flees as if the hounds of Beelzebub were at his heels.Taking aside the improbability that someone of Cedric's nature exists anywhere or anywhen in this world (think 'Children of the Corn' gone eerily good), this story is actually more suited for consumption for its message of redemption, friendship, and - bear with me on this - contentment in all things simple.
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Not only is it a flimsy book with no illustrations (when the illustrations are quite important to the story), but my copy was missing a page, right before the end. My copy goes straight from "his mother on one side and the Earl on t" then, new paragraph (skipping 263 words and a whole charming scene where little Cedric thanks everyone), it continues "hand into the Earl's and stood close to him."Don't waste your money on this "Print on Demand" edition; get a good used copy instead.
Little Lord Fauntleroy
LIttle Lord Fauntleroy has a bad rap because of its huge popularity in the late 19th century. Every mother apparently wanted their boy to be as selfless and precocious as the title character, so they dressed the innocent boy in the absurd outfit of the book - the velvet, lace collared affair that scarred a generation.But that misses Burnett's point. She creates a world where a child of American sensibilities - raising all boats as his own tide increases - counters the old British guard which, at the time, was the lord had it all, the villagers had nothing.My two favorite childhood books are A Little Princess and Secret Garden. And while Cedric is a little too perfect, the message and the characterization of sudden wealth leading to actual kindness is refreshing.
Little Lord Fauntleroy
This is a quick read and very well written. The first time I have read anything by F H Burnett but I will read others.This would be good to read to or with a child but great for an adult also.I saw the movie and that is how I found out about it and a book is always better than its movie.