The Children of the New Forest

I read most 'Children's Classics' in my youth, but never seemed to get a copy of this one... It's actually (even as an adult reader) a pretty good read, even if, being older and more cynical, we might feel the efforts of the young protagonists are quite astonishingly successful!
It's the story of the four Beverley children, during the English Civil War. The orphaned offspring of a well-to-do Cavalier, they are being brought up by a sour old aunt in their family home, until the arrival of Roundheads, the burning down of the property and seizure of old Cousin Judith (whom they take to be Charles I in disguise)...
Then follow years of adventure as the four are taken in by a sympathetic forester. Edward, the eldest, soon becomes an adroit show more deer hunter, while practical brother Humphrey starts a technically impressive farm, and the girls master homecraft. But there's a Roundhead 'Intendant' (with a lovely daughter) supervising the forest; an obliging gypsy who falls into Humphrey's trap; and tantalising news of Charles II returning to re-take the throne...
Pretty good!! show less

This was one of the first historical novels written specifically for children and published in 1847. Set during the English Civil War, the four children of deceased cavalier Colonel Beverley escape from the burning of their family home and are sheltered in the New Forest by Jacob Armitage. They take fictional identities as Armitage's supposed grandchildren. Over time, they get used to their lives there farming and herding cattle. The elder son Edward tries to get involved in the attempts to restore the future King Charles II, with mixed success. The depiction of the Civil War is definitely pro-Royalist, and helped to set the literary narrative of dour Roundheads and romantic swashbuckling Cavaliers. Though it isn't totally one-sided, show more and Intendant Heatherstone is a Roundhead who understands why people rebelled against King Charles I for depriving them of their liberties and promoting the divine right of kings, while being repelled by the King's execution. The final chapter leaps forward a few years to the Restoration and the four Beverleys taking up positions in the new court. show less

An adventure story, fine enough, but also lacking in depth of character development.. Orphaned children of a man loyal to the monarchy are supposed to have been burned in their beds. Instead, having been rescued by a local forester, must make their way in the world and wait for the demise of Oliver Cromwell. The novel has value in piquing the curiosity of readers interested in the setting (17th century England). It's similar to other books written in this time period, but perhaps a little easier to read. Be forewarned that there's a gypsy boy who amazes everyone by turning out to be a lad of fine character (a little paternalistic verbiage).

Written in 1847 about the four children of a Cavalier famiiy in the time of Cromwell who learn to fend for themselves very successfully in a the New Forest. The style is complex and the concepts mature and important: Some supporters of Cromwell, who disapproved of the King's actions, realized too late that Cromwell was even more dictatorial. When the monarchy is restored, too much time and property transfer has occurred to restore everything peacefully back to the way it was. The characters are perhaps too perfect and the Eden-like quality of living in the forest may be too ideal. But, hey, why not.

There's nothing like a child's book to put you in the midst of history while understanding what children did when faced with adversity. Marryat did a phenomenal job, but then anyone who knows this period of time as well as he did couldn't help but do a phenomenal job.

This was better than I expected although I found the last quarter of the book less interesting. I fell asleep numerous times throughout the reading so I may have missed some bits. The Librivox narrator was excellent. Many thanks to him.

Although I didn't particularly enjoy this book, partially because it has undoubtedly failed to age well, and partially because I personally found it often boring reading - with a lot of attention to the slaughter of animals - worth a read indeed, especially for adults.