“After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.” ― Kenneth Grahame

Why I’m Reading this Book?

This year I want to read at least 100 books and to do that I’m constantly searching for good small books. I’ve stumbled upon this one while searching one day. This is one of the classics as well as children literature, so I figured it would be a simple, light and quick read.

Synopsis

Book revolves around 4 timeless characters created by author; ever loyal Mole, carefree Ratty, flamboyant toad and wise badger. Story is like children stories usually are, very simple and with deep morale. Although amongst children literature, book can very well be read by adults and enjoyed thoroughly.

If you ask me what’s the story, it’s nothing but just mole meeting ratty, then toad and then badger. But how they meet each other, how they live, their peculiarities, their eccentricities , their adventures(mis?) are what make this story so rich.

Mole is happy exploring world and be with his friends, ratty loves his boat and has gala time in it, toad goes starry eyed every-time he sees a mode of transportation, and badger though happy to be left alone, comes out whenever his friends need his help. When toad finds himself in hot waters again (think theft, prison, guards, prison break, fugitive 😉 ), his friends come for his rescue. They help him getting his honor back. Along the way, with toad, readers also learn some life lessons.

My Review…

Although all characters of story are adult in their own lives, they have child like simplicity and way to lead their life, may be because that’s how animals are? Humans are referenced very vaguely sometimes and not in a good way. But they don’t have any bearings on the story.

This is a story of simplicity, of loyalty, of friendship and of life. Anyone can find something that will strike a note. For me, it was not the nostalgia of childhood, but to pause, look around and appreciate what we got.

Every character reminded me of someone in my own life. Badger is a father figure who carries a voice of sanity in chaos, mole is like younger sibling who will follow you to the moon and back, toad is may be myself 😉 who is landing in trouble all the time and ratty is that friend who will be by my side through thick and thin.

In their journey, these fellows find many characters, like otter, rabbits, fox, weasels, stoats etc and create hilarious situation. Toad’s constant desire to be acknowledged, his self appeasing songs and his not so silent muttering when he doesn’t get his way are enough to send anyone in splits.

Overall, it was a pleasure reading this book and immersing myself in this world.

My Rating — 3

On the scale of: (1- Hate , 2- Neither like nor dislike, 3- Like, 4- Love, 5- Gaga)

Why anyone else should read this Book?

This is a timeless book because lessons given here are applicable in every time to every station of life for everyone. Anyone can read it and find something relatable to them. Kenneth Grahame has written this book for his son and that feeling is apparent throughout the book. It’s like listening to your grandmother telling stories. My grandmother didn’t tell many stories so I surely liked this one. 😉

If not for lesson, one can read for the simplicity and joy of reading it. Because it’s mainly written for children, writing style is very simple and not overtly complex.

Divided in 12 chapters, spread over about 200 pages, it’s a quick and light read. So, if you’re looking for a small and comic read, you can’t go wrong with this.

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Have you read it? Are you planning to? What is your opinion? Share them here. Till next time, Happy Reading Folks!!!

Love- Richa