Charlotte's Web

This is an old favorite that I re-read every so often, even though there may not be a young person around to share it with. Someone here recently mentioned there was an audio version read by the author, and of course I had to check that out. We all know the fine story of Wilbur, the runt pig, whose life was saved twice: once by an outraged little girl who wouldn't let her father kill him for being too small, and again by Charlotte A. Cavatica, a gray spider who devised an ingenious plan to prevent him from becoming Christmas ham and bacon. (Well, if you don't, you've missed out. Start with the paper book, because you really ought to have Garth Williams' illustrations in your head as you meet the gang for the first time.) On this outing, show more in addition to the wonderful characterizations of both people and farm animals; the simply delightful vocabu-abulary lessons; and the sensitive handling of the natural rhythms of life and death, I got to experience White's considerable talent at narration. His voice is pleasant, his inflections appropriate, and his accent a combination of George Plimpton, the Tappit brothers and Jack Nicholson. (I thought Paul Lynde nailed it as Templeton in the movie, but now I have to say I prefer Andy White's somewhat subtler, yet more menacing portrayal.) When I was trying to pin down White's accent, I got lycomayflower involved. She listened a bit, and suggested that he reminded her of one of the contemporary diarists portrayed orally in Ken Burns' Civil War documentary. AHA! I said to myself....George Templeton Strong...that's who! (Gotta love that his middle name was...ok, I didn't have to point that out.) And who provided the voice for Strong? George Plimpton. Yup. Imagine my surprise when, following the last chapter of Wilbur's story on the audio version, there came an Afterword written for the 50th anniversary edition of the book, narrated by...*drumroll*... George Plimpton. Some world.
Audio version, reviewed in 2017 show less

"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing."

This sentiment really sums up the book for me. I absolutely love this story, and still get teary reading it. It is warm, soothing, and comfortable. I actually like to read it aloud and feel the words and descriptions slowly roll off of my tongue. It just seems rhythmically and emotionally perfect! I almost want to start reading it again, just flip back to the beginning and utter the words once more, ""Where's Papa going with that ax?" said Fern...

(audio version)

What a treat to get to hear White read this! He does a simply amazing job. I think this is the first time I've read this since childhood, and there were a fair few bits I didn't remember. I was surprised at just how philosophical it was--not just about death and the life cycle but also about how best to live and what's valuable. It's a testament to how well White writes for children, I think, that this book didn't freak me out when I was a wee sprout. The reality Wilbur faces is stark, and it strikes me listening to this as an adult just how much White does not shy away from it. Recommended.

What a pleasure to hear White read his own book. My second great teacher read this to my class over 50 years ago, and I haven't read (or listened) to it since. A few years ago, I gave it to my daughter to read, and she said she didn't like the ending. When I saw this audiobook version was available, I decided to revisit it myself. It is an astounding book--so unlike most children's books. Charlotte's Web treats its readers with respect, both in terms of the language of the book, which is filled with lots of big words, and in terms of subject matter, in this case, death. Both Wilbur the Pig's impending death as he is made into bacon and ham, and of death as a natural part of the universe. There is not a wiser book about friendship, show more losing a friend, and remembering a friend. For once, a book hailed as an immortal classic and fondly remembered from childhood lives up to--and exceeds--all expectations. I will ask my daughter to read it again. show less

I read this classic as an adult, not as a child. Text: Wonderful. Illustrations: Spectacular. But—
Here is my poem about it.

When I was a child I put it down.
Charlotte was a spider, not a human.
I wanted to know about humans
because I couldn’t figure out if I was one,
so I resolved to read only about humans.
Preferably girls who played with dolls
and sat behind casement windows.
Fern wasn’t the type.
In later years, I put down Animal Farm.
I wasn’t into pigs, Wilbur or otherwise.

But it is a classic after all
so I decided it was high time.
Bedtime story at seventy.
Now this is a book about friendship,
I’m told,
and sad to boot.
Despite Charlotte’s talented embroidery,
despite Wilbur being some pig,
terrific and radiant with buttermilk, show more
I foresaw his transfiguration
to Green Eggs and Ham.
Like Cats who achieve the heaviside layer.
On a plate.
But it’s Charlotte who perishes, naturally, in childbirth.
Wilbur survives.
This is a happy story.

The other teaching: if you
tempt a rat with the right reward,
he’ll do you a lot of favors.
Lessons in Capitalism.

So octopii have feelings and bees have brains
and seahorses and swans and foxes and puffins
mate for life and trees talk
and elephants remember.
And I am both beast and person,
bigoted and often scared.
What’s the word for such blatant
discrimination among life forms?
Specist? Specious.
So I am. show less

Charlotte's Web is a book I loved as a child and still love revisiting it as an adult. And it's quite the weeper! It's a simple barnyard fable of a piglet who is the runt of the litter saved by a girl named Fern and named Wilbur. As Wilbur grows and thrives he is faced with the reality that he will be butchered for pork. His life is saved by his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte who weaves words like "Some Pig" and "Terrific" into her webs. Wilbur grows to become a celebrity pig which saves him from the butchering block.

The natural response to this story is that Wilbur actually does nothing and it is Charlotte who should be recognized as a remarkable spider. The farmer's wife, Mrs. Zuckerman, says as much in the story. What show more I never noticed about this story as a child is how it is a social satire of how gullible humans are to the messages of advertising. But it's also a story of friendship and how Charlotte dedicates her naturally short life to preventing the unnatural end of Wilbur's life. As a result, Charlotte's legacy is ensured with Wilbur telling her story to generations of her descendants.

The book also features Templeton, a funny rat, who I loved as a child and who still cracks me up now. Charlotte's Web is a well-regarded classic and I can't help but throw my praise onto it's heap of plaudits. Have you read Charlotte's Web, and if you have what are your thoughts?

Favorite Passages:

“…A miracle has happened and a sign has occurred here on earth, right on our farm, and we have no ordinary pig.”

“Well,” said Mrs. Zuckerman, “it seems to me that you’re a little off. It seems to me we have no ordinary spider.”

Final Lines: “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.”

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I can't believe I've never read this book until now, but it's true. I read voraciously as a child but somehow never cracked open a copy of this children's classic. Still, better late than never. Charlotte's web is a beautiful and touching story, told with evocative and rich descriptions. It's mostly funny and lighthearted, but carries a strong moral themes, and touches on more serious topics like life and death without sugarcoating it.

I really like the way Charlotte's death was handled-- she dies after everyone leaves, quietly, with no one noticing-- after all, everyone dies alone. It's written about so plainly and simply that it underscores exactly what death is-- a life going out without drama surrounding it, very matter-of-fact, the show more way I think it should be. To see this written in a children's book was amazing.

Also, it made me think a lot about the lives of animals in particular. Farm animals, at least, have no choice in their lives; they are born and bred to be slaughtered and eaten, and that just seems too cruel a fate. I am by no means any sort of animal person, but E.B. White managed to make me care about Wilbur and Charlotte and their animal friends. show less