The Railway Children

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Edith Nesbit: The Railway Children (2009, Penguin Group UK)

Electronic resource

English language

Published Nov. 11, 2009 by Penguin Group UK.

ISBN:
978-0-14-193789-2
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OCLC Number:
650339069

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3 stars (1 review)

When Father mysteriously goes away, the children and their mother leave their happy life in London to go and live in a small cottage in the country. 'The Three Chimneys' lies beside a railway track - a constant source of enjoyment to all three. They make friends with the Station Master and Perks the Porter, as well as the jovial 'Old Gentleman' who waves to them everyday from the train. But the mystery remains: where is Father, and will he ever return?

41 editions

reviewed Railway Children (Children's Library) by Edith Nesbit (Parragon Children's Library)

Middle of the (Rail)road Kid Lit

3 stars

This was a cozy-feeling book that was gentle and sweet, and the kids were all likeable, but it didn't get to the next level like Nesbit's Five Children books do. Maybe she just works better when there's magic involved.

Growing up with The Boxcar Children, I figured the kids would be orphans or live at a railyard or something, but they were just somewhat poor (but labor was cheap enough they still had domestic help) and lived near a railroad.

Whenever I think about 20th century Britain, the World Wars play a huge part, so it was interesting to read something written before then.

As many rescues as the kids did, I was surprised that their Dad being released happened basically totally offscreen.

It was funny that Phyllis's main character trait was being a screwup.

It got surprisingly meta at the end, considering the era and audience.