A Little Princess

This is one of my favorite books and has been since I was eight years old. I love seeing her overcome the obstacles in her life, usually by sheer grit and determination, and do so without losing her humanity.

As the daughter of an Englishman in India during Victorian times, it is expected that at some point, she would be sent home to England for schooling. This is partly because of the prejudices of the time and because they felt that the Indian climate was not healthy for children. The book opens when Sara is seven years old and taken to the London boarding school where she is expected to live for the next decade. She is heartbroken at being separated from her beloved father but puts a brave face on it for him. Having spent all her show more life around adults, she is rather serious and unusually observant. Her initial take on Miss Minchin is spot-on and proves so throughout the book.

During the first part of the book, we see Sara settling into school life and making friends. As something of a misfit herself, Sara leans towards other outcasts like herself. One of her first friends is Ermengarde, a little girl who is overweight and a slow learner. She is bullied unmercifully by other girls and Miss Minchin. I loved seeing Sara take Ermengarde under her wing and find a faithful and loyal friend. Next is Lottie, a very young child who is far too young to have been sent away to school. Lottie has been spoiled by her family and has learned to use her motherless state to get what she wants. I liked the first scene between Sara and Lottie, with Sara's quiet empathy and kindness saving the day. Finally comes Sara's friendship with Becky, the school's scullery maid. Once again, Sara's innate compassion and empathy lead her to befriend a young girl very different from herself but with whom she can also see their similarities.

The first four years of Sara's life at Miss Minchin's pass quickly with brief vignettes of her life during that time. Then comes her eleventh birthday and the day her life changed. As Sara and her schoolmates enjoy an elaborate birthday party, Miss Minchin receives a visit from Captain Crewe's lawyer. The man brings the unwelcome news that Captain Crewe is dead of fever and that he died broke and in debt due to a bad investment. Miss Minchin is furious that she is out the money she has spent, adding to her resentment and dislike of Sara. Thinking better of just throwing the girl out on the street, she turns Sara into an unpaid servant.

I ached for Sara, whose life was completely upended. She wasn't even allowed time to grieve her father's death before facing the drastic changes in her life. It breaks my heart every time to see her try to hang on to her upbeat attitude while enduring the abuse of others. During this time, Sara's ability to lose herself in the worlds her imagination creates makes her life a little more bearable. It was infinitely satisfying to see Sara's inner strength as she survived the appalling treatment. There were a few bright spots in her life - occasional surreptitious visits from Ermengarde or Lottie, the rat she befriends, and unexpected kindnesses from outsiders.

Another bright spot in her life occurs when a new neighbor moves in next door—an Englishman who has been ill and has an Indian servant with a mischievous pet monkey. Sara spotting several items from India through his windows brings back good memories of her life there. An unexpected visit to her attic room by the monkey also introduces her to Ram Dass, the Indian servant, an event that will profoundly affect her life. We get a glimpse into the neighbor's life, Mr. Carrisford, and discover an unexpected connection to Sara. I always love the events of these final chapters. Sara's life goes from immeasurably hard and very close to breaking her spirit to returning her to her previously privileged life. But this time, her experiences give her an added depth of understanding of the world around her and a desire to help others.

I've seen others comment that Sara is "too perfect" or Miss Minchin "too awful." When I read it, I consider that this book was written in 1905. At that time, books for children were deliberately written as moral tales, designed to show children the difference between right and wrong. So, while the characters' attitudes may be somewhat exaggerated, there is enough realism to make them believable. I especially enjoyed seeing that Sara knows how to get under Miss Minchin's skin with a simple look and that she isn't too good to lose her temper now and then.

I also must add that it's hard to talk about this story without mentioning the films that have been made from it. There are three that I am aware of: the 1939 version with Shirley Temple, the 1986 version with Maureen Lipman (a British TV mini-series), and the 1995 version starring Liesel Matthews. In my opinion, only one of them is worth watching. The Shirley Temple version vaguely resembles the book, with an added romance between two characters who don't exist in the story, an odd dream sequence, and a wholly made-up ending resulting in Sara's father still being alive. The 1995 version changes the time and location from Victorian London to World War One New York and again changes the ending to reuniting with her father. The 1987 version, on the other hand, is a faithful adaptation of the book. I loved seeing some of my favorite scenes come alive, from the French lesson to the bun shop scene to the revelation of Sara and "the Indian Gentleman's" connection. I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves the book. (It can be found on YouTube in its original six episodes) show less

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett is one of my ultimate comfort reads, the kind of book I reread when another book has left a bad taste. As a child I had a lovely copy of The Secret Garden and my sister had A Little Princess, published by David R. Godine and illustrated by Graham Rust. For me those will always be the definitive printings. As an adult I had to buy my own copy of A Little Princess in that particular edition before The Secret Garden could rest easy on my shelf. Do you ever have a book that just isn't itself unless you are reading a particular edition? Any other copy just feels wrong. Anyhow, this is going to be a very biased review, as I am incapable of being critical of a book that had such an impact on me as a show more young reader. It just gets better every time I read it anyways! (Beware of spoilers below, by the way.)

Sara Crewe is a little girl who is treated like a princess by her doting father. Captain Crewe brings his motherless daughter from India to a girls' boarding school in England, where Sara is favored by the worldly headmistress Miss Minchin because of Captain Crewe's reputed fortune. But when he dies penniless, Miss Minchin angrily forces Sara into the sort of indentured servitude that the lower classes of British society endured in that period. Sara, a serious child given to imaginative fancies, must face a completely different life. Everything is taken from her in one blow: her father, her fortune, and even her friends, who are not permitted to associate with her now that she is a servant. And so begins a fairytale of sorts, set in a most unpromising situation.

One thing I noticed especially on this reread is how Burnett works in the injustice of British society without turning her story into a diatribe. It's shocking how Becky and the other unfortunates of the novel are treated, but it is all presented as very matter-of-fact. I was particularly struck by the beggar girl that Sara helps; she sits in the streets in the middle of winter with no shoes and barely any clothing, and all the policeman does is shout at her to move on. This is all presented as perfectly normal (though reprehensible). When Mr. Carrisford and Mr. Carmichael are talking about Sara's living conditions, Mr. Carmichael says that you could refurbish her attic, but what about the attics along rest of the street? And the streets beyond? Personal philanthropy helps, but cannot extend to everyone who is needy. The idea of personal philanthropy becomes the final theme of the book, when Sara sets up a fund to buy bread for the poor. As a younger reader I was aware of all the injustice and poverty in the book, but never realized how unusual it was in a children's story.

Burnett's style is beautifully British, and her primly perfect language conveys the atmosphere and characters splendidly. Though some allege that Sara is a bit too perfect, a close reading reveals that yes, Sara is very good, but she is not perfect. She has her moments of temper and self-pity. I have always enjoyed the wide variety of characters that Burnett draws together in this story — nasty Miss Minchin, mousy Miss Amelia, the "Indian gentleman," smooth Ram Dass, even down to the unpleasant cook... all these characters come to life for the reader. Burnett does a wonderful job describing the interpersonal politics of a boarding school, from the administration right down to the girls' relationships. How I hated Lavinia when I was younger! How I despised Miss Minchin, and pitied brave Sara in her cold attic!

Much as I love Burnett's work, I find it doesn't do to inquire too closely into her personal life, which was not particularly stable. However, I believe it is helpful to the reader to be aware that she turned to Spiritualism after the death of her son and apparently found it a great comfort. Some mystic ideas are present in her works, especially the initial-capitalized "Magic" and some elements of Theosophy (positive thinking). They are fairly muted and never overwhelm the story, at least not for me. But I think it's good to be educated as to where those elements orginated.

There have been many adaptations of A Little Princess, which was a novella and then a play before Burnett published the full-length novel in 1904. My favorite is the 1986 three-hour Dreamworks presentation starring Amelia Shankley, which only recently was released on DVD. Shankley is a bit old for the part, but she plays it so well that I cannot argue with the casting one bit. I just love how faithful this version is! And the score written by Rachel Portman is really lovely. I can't say the same for the 1995 film version, which killed itself trying to be politically correct. Ugh. They made Becky African, and basically just dumbed down the entire story. This version also has a nice score; unfortunately it far outstrips its film in quality.

A Little Princess remains one of my most beloved books, and I look forward to sharing it with my own children someday (in the Godine edition, of course). Highly recommended! show less

If Sara had given all six of the hot buns to the starving child, instead of only five, I may have never forgiven her. As it stands I could not love her more, including her (very inspirational) pretend-princess behavior. And then the vicarious gratitude and coziness when the "magic" started arriving toward the end - I may as well have been right there in that attic myself.

And - finally - what a satisfying conclusion! I loved this and I'm glad I waited 50 years to read it. Now I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

That one should never see a film adaptation of a book, without first having read the original, is an idea so unconsciously accepted in my circle of family and friends that it usually admits no debate. But for every rule there are exceptions, and happily for my childhood, Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess was one of them. I had little taste for sentimental fiction as a child (oh, the irony!), and might have remained indifferent to Burnett's work, had I not seen the brilliant Wonderworks television adaptation of the novel. Released in 1987, it is the only decent film version ever made, and prompted me to read the book, followed in quick succession by The Secret Garden and Little Lord Fauntleroy. Re-read countless times since, show more they have given me many hours of pleasure, winning a permanent place among my favorite books...

The story of a young girl who comes face to face with the cruel, mercenary side of society, A Little Princess has always struck me as a tale of moral courage, simultaneously conventional and subversive. Sara Crewe is the daughter of privilege, despite her temporary poverty and genuine suffering, but she also exhibits a very democratic sensibility, and her behavior is not dictated by monetary concerns. She is as much a friend to poor Becky before the loss of her fortune, as she is afterward; just as she is with Ermengarde. She is, moreover, somewhat disdainful of adult authority, as exemplified by her relationship with Miss Minchin, whose initial "friendliness" she (rightfully) mistrusts. Successful as a portrait of a particular time and place, Burnett's A Little Princess also has qualities that give it a decidedly modern feeling...

Addendum: Having just reread this childhood favorite, for our January discussion over at A Thrilling Term at Goodreads: The Girls' School-Story Group, I was struck by the many plot elements that are common in the genre, from the central conceit of a student whose circumstances are greatly reduced, and must work at the school (think Juliet Carrick, in The School at the Chalet, although Madge Bettany is no Miss Minchin), to the idea of one girl who plays "mother" to the younger ones (think L.T. Meade's The Little School-Mothers: A Story for Girls). My new-found familiarity with the genre definitely increased my appreciation of Burnett's classic, which now seemed, not only to be an immensely satisfying story, in its own right, but an interesting example of its genre. show less

Little Sara Crewe is born in India; her mother is dead, but her father, Captain Ralph Crewe, loves her very much. However, he sends her to boarding school (Miss Minchin's "select seminary") in England, and during the years she is there, her father dies. Believing the family fortune lost, Miss Minchin is furious, and makes Sara into a "drudge" who lives in the attic next to scullery maid Becky.

It's Sara's imagination that saves her - her "supposes" and "pretends" - as well as her friendships with Becky and two students, Ermengarde and Lottie - and ultimately, the intervention of the new next door neighbor, an "Indian gentleman" (a British man who spent time in India) whose health is shattered. This gentleman, assisted by his Lascar show more servant, Ram Dass, and another neighbor, Mr. Carmichael, is searching for the daughter of his old school friend...

A magical book with timeless appeal; Sara's kindness shines on her friends and on readers. show less

This is the most heart-wrenching stories i've read so far! I cried throughout Sara's suffering yet her demeanour on carrying herself impeccably well and believing that she is a princess, fighting off the adversity and not sitting back, mulling over it makes me like her even more!! When i was young and in school, i would always feel lonely even when with friends...i had different thinking and i loved books as well, sadly none of the other girls did as much, so, it was always a very lonely time. I would talk to imaginary friends, and pretend i was in different places. Reading it through Sara's narration, made me feel close to her and the thought that i wasnt the only one who would make up things so i would not break my own spirit carried show more me through boarding! I wouldnt say there were not good times, but you end up having some nasty characters around and esp, when you are young and think these ordeals would never end. I went back in time and thought how good it would have been had i ever read 'A Little Princess' when i was going through similar circumstances! Im glad i did now. My memories would surely cheer me up!
This is the best book i've read recently. Sara's courage, pluckiness and her ability to stay herself with her virtues, compassion makes her a very real and lovable character! show less

Rags to riches stories are a common enough trope, but A Little Princess turns that narrative on its head. Little Sara Crewe, who has been given everything by her dear papa, is sent to a London board schooling, as was the custom amongst the wealthy in England at the time. There, everyone - children and adults alike - marvel at her beautiful things and declare her "a little princess." Contrary to the stereotype about rich children, Sara is not spoiled and bratty, but rather is considerate and polite. She makes friends with the other children at school, particularly with those who are overlooked by others - slow Ermengarde, tantrum-throwing little Lottie, and scullery maid Becky - instead of aligning herself with the school "mean girls" show more Lavinia and Jessie. Sara is also clever and imaginative, which sometimes causes others to view her as a bit peculiar, although overall she is well liked. She has a tendency to become solemn and philosophical, and sometimes wonders if she would be so nice if circumstances had been different and she had been born without wealth and privilege. Perhaps, she surmises, she is only kind because when you have everything, there is no reason to be unkind.

One day, everything changes for small Sara, and she is given the opportunity to see just what sort of person she is when the tangible goods are taken from her life. On her 11th birthday, news reaches the boarding school that her beloved father has died and due to his unwise business investments, she is now not only orphaned but also penniless. The boarding school headmistress, Miss Minchin, who never really liked Sara as a person but only for her money, is apoplectic with having Sara's care foisted upon her. She responds by taking all of Sara's possessions away from her and forcing her to become a servant at the school.

But all is not lost. Sara's cleverness and kindness served her well in the past and continue to do so, even in her reduced circumstances. Those who loved her for these qualities continue to do so and look out for her well-being to the best of their ability. Little Sara is indeed a model for us all with her kindness even in the face of destitution and misuse.

Still, at times it becomes a tragedy of error, almost Shakespearean with mistaken identities and just missed opportunities for enlightenment, as Sara and her father's friend/business partner Mr. Carrisford are literally next door from one another but kept apart due to their ignorance of each other's significance. Meanwhile, poor Sara suffers the ill effects of poverty and misuse while Mr. Carrisford is wracked with guilt over not being able to find Sara. The narrative makes this time period seem to past relatively quickly but at the end it is noted more than once that the full time period is two years. This is hard, long time indeed for this poor little girl.

In true fairy tale like fashion, Sara's fortunes eventually reverse and turn out for the better while Miss Minchin and the mean girls of the school get the chance to re-evaluate their actions. While this isn't the reality I've known, it's nice to live in this world for a little while, imagining that all good people eventually get their just desserts and those unkind people will eventually be reprimanded. It was perhaps for this reason that this book was a childhood favorite of mine.

Re-reading this book as an adult, I did notice that there are some troubling depictions of people of lower classes, non-Anglo ethnic backgrounds, and less than ideal body figures. But these aren't overwhelming and you have to take the book as a product of its time. Ram Dass talking about he was always watching the child as she sleeps, peering in through her window, and knowing her every coming and going, is also a bit creepy to re-read as an adult but his intentions are the best as he does this to learn what she needs. This ends up being of great benefit to Sara during the worse of her troubles.

One final note: Although I still own my hard copy of this book from childhood, I opted to re-read the book as an audio version this time. The audio narrator, Justine Eyre, was stupendous and I highly recommend this version for the audiophile. show less