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    A Little Princess
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    A Little Princess
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    A Little Princess
    Ebook261 pages4 hours

    A Little Princess

    By Frances Hodgson Burnett

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Sara Crewe, a pupil at Miss Minchin's London school, is left in poverty when her father dies, but is later rescued by a mysterious benefactor.


    When the story opens, we see the mushy smushy interactions between a little girl named Sara Crewe and her father (let's call him Papa Crewe), who are extremely sad about an imminent event. The imminent event happens to be the fact that Papa Crewe is shipping Sara off to boarding school in London (the cloudiest, most dreary of all places to be abandoned!) because she simply cannot stay with him in India. It's not good for children because sun is worse than rain, and foreign countries turn good children into savages, or something.


    (In case you're wondering: yes. This is racist. In fact, the whole book is a tad racist. We'll get to that.)

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSheba Blake Publishing
    Release dateMay 18, 2015
    ISBN9781304036476
    Author

    Frances Hodgson Burnett

    Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was born in Manchester and spent her early years there with her family. Her father died in 1852, and eventually, in 1865, Frances emigrated to the United States with her mother and siblings, settling with family in Knoxville, Tennessee. Frances began to be published at the age of nineteen, submitting short stories to magazines and using the proceeds to help support the family. In 1872, she married Swan Burnett, a doctor, with whom she had two sons while living in Paris. Her first novel, That Lass o'Lowrie's, was published in 1877, while the Burnetts were living in Washington D. C. Following a separation from her husband, Burnett lived on both sides of the Atlantic, eventually marrying for a second time, however she never truly recovered from the death of her first son, Lionel. Best known during her lifetime for Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), her books for children, including The Secret Garden and The Little Princess, have endured as classics, but Burnett also wrote many other novels for adults, which were hugely popular and favourably compared to authors such as George Eliot.

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    Reviews for A Little Princess

    4/5

    2,648 ratings87 reviews

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    • 5/5
      One of my favorite childhood books, about the daughter of a British soldier who was raised in India, but is sent to a British boarding school when her father is sent to war.
    • 4/5
      My mother gave me my copy of this book when I was in third grade. I can remember carrying the book with me everywhere, reading it over and over. I think the story still stands up as classic "girl's" literature. (Side note: The image of London both in this story and in all of Dickens' novels was so vivid in my mind that when I finally got to London as an adult, I was almost shocked that there weren't horse drawn carriages and gaslights on all the streets.)
    • 5/5
      One of my favorite childhood books, about the daughter of a British soldier who was raised in India, but is sent to a British boarding school when her father is sent to war.
    • 5/5
      This is one of my go to books when I am feeling sad. For some ereason it comforts me.
    • 3/5
      When I finished the book, I felt like it was incomplete--that there were still plot questions left unanswered.
    • 5/5
      My mother recommended this to me; I read this when I was eight or nine, and multiple times since. There's something so satisfying about the contrasts of Sara Crewe privileged, and Sara Crewe underprivileged. Also a tribute to the power of imagination and storytelling in overcoming adversity. And, of course, a tribute to kindness.
    • 4/5
      Lovely classic.
    • 5/5
      I love love love this story! Such a beautiful tale of a young girl! Of course, the fatherdaughter relationship made me sob in parts, but I loved it! So beautiful, pretty and innocent! A little slow at times, but still amazing!
    • 5/5
      This is a book that teaches a fundamental lesson: to never, ever, lose hope.
    • 5/5
      Love this book. Even as an adult, I can appreciate it more than a child. Fun to dip back into this book.
    • 4/5
      Blake was sure this was going to be the time I steered him wrong with a book recommendation. But by the end when the story all comes together he didn't want to stop listening. Wonderful book. We all enjoyed it immensely.
    • 5/5
      I’m not sure why I waited so long to read A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, but I’m kicking myself! Sara Crewe is up there with the most enchanting characters ever created. She reminded me so much of Anne Shirley, who has always been a favorite of mine. They were both orphans and both used their imaginations to help them get through difficult situations. They were also both old souls, and this aspect of Sara’s personality is actually pointed out on the first page of the book: She sat with her feet tucked under her, and leaned against her father, who held her in his arm, as she stared out of the window at the passing people with a queer old-fashioned thoughtfulness in her big eyes. She was such a little girl that one did not expect to see such a look on her small face. It would have been an old look for a child of twelve, and Sara Crewe was only seven. The fact was, however, that she was always dreaming and thinking odd things and could not herself remember any time when she had not been thinking things about grown-up people and the world they belonged to. She felt as if she had lived a long, long time. After growing up in India, Sara’s father feels like he must send her to boarding school in Paris so she can learn to be a proper young lady. She does not want to leave her father, but she does so gracefully – as she does everything. After establishing herself as an even-tempered, sweet and generous friend to everyone at the school, she receives horrible news that changes everything. However, even when everything is taken away from her…she remains positive and charming. She and fellow servant girl Lottie manage to survive by sticking together – and their determination ends up paying off! I should probably mention that I grew up watching (and loving!) the 1997 movie version of the book, so I was ridiculously surprised by how the book ends – the movie changed things up big time! Even though this is a classic book with no real fantasy or paranormal aspects, this book is a fairy tale of the best kind. If you haven’t read it yet, you definitely should! Escape into Sara’s world where nothing is so bad that it cannot be imagined away.
    • 3/5
      This review originally appeared at Belle's BookshelfI hate to say it, but I was disappointed with this book.I should note before I go any further that my opinion was probably doomed from the outset by high expectations, and it was pretty much impossible for me to be fair. Because, you see, while I never read this book as a child, I watched the 1995 movie adaptation obsessively and also enjoyed the 1939 version, PLUS have a special place in my heart for Burnett's The Secret Garden - both the book and movie versions. So, like I said, my expectations were pretty damn high - and it was hard for me not to compare this book to all those other things.While it told the story I was expecting - of a kind little girl named Sara being sent to a boarding school by her loving father, who then finds herself suddenly friendless and penniless, having to use her inner strength and imagination to overcome her lot - I was surprised at how different it was from the movies. There was one glaring plot point that I'd assumed was an intrinsic part of the story, because it appears in both film versions (despite them being very different in other ways), and I was shocked and disappointed that it was actually absent from the book. But I tried to be fair and get over that (after all, it's not the book's fault the movie versions changed its story) and instead focus on the magical and whimsical aspects of the plot that I love. Occasionally I succeeded, but unfortunately more often than not my attention was dragged back to things that really annoyed me.For instance, the way the book dealt with race and servants. I know I shouldn't judge it by modern standards, but it was hard not to get irritated at the way poor Becky was treated - even by those who were supposedly kind to her. Similarly, it was difficult not to be disgusted by the descriptions of India and its inhabitants, and Sara's reflection that they were once her slaves - this, coming from a supposedly noble girl!Which brings me to Sara herself. The little princess drove me nuts. Which in itself annoyed me - I wanted to like her SO badly (She reads! She loves stories and imagining things! She's smart! She's brave!) - but the more time I spent with her, the more I disliked her. She was just so perfect that she didn't seem real; on the rare occasions she showed "wickedness" (the few times I started to like her again), she quickly reined herself in. I know she's supposed to be an admirable character, with traits to aspire to, and I did like the message that positive thinking and kindness can be their own rewards, but it was just rammed down my throat so hard that I almost sympathised with the awful Miss Minchin. Who could blame her for wanting to bring Little Miss Perfect down a peg or two?!I feel terrible saying all this because, like I said, I loved the story growing up and I'm surprised at how little I loved it after finally reading it. Of course, it wasn't awful - there's still the magic and whimsy there, and the story itself is enchanting. But with such an archetypal heroine, what should have been just my cup of tea was way too sweet for my tastes.
    • 5/5
      This book means so much to me. It's one of the few books to deal with make-believe in a respectful, realistic, and positive way. It's also a wonderful book in that it doesn't sugar-coat the life of a child into idyllic scenes without pain or hardship--a very good thing for children of broken homes to find solace and a strong, capable heroine. True, the ending of the story is rather neat; but a happy ending does not mean the story is without worth and value. Sara was and still is my hero, showing me that even with nothing I still had stories to help me through, that kindness and royalty are a way of life, and that everyone is a story.
    • 4/5
      Sara Crewe is a very rich girl .She lived in India.One day her father die in India. She has no money.This story made me happy.I thought friend is very important.I thought this book worth reading.
    • 3/5
      Sara is very rich girl.She is ten years.She enter Miss Minchin's school.She is gave special treatment.But oneday,her father die because of disease.she has no money.her life quite change,but she lives hard.It is moving story.
    • 5/5
      I recently bought myself a new copy of A Little Princess. My original copy is at my mother's house, boxed up with a lot of other books in the attic. As I remember it's somewhat dog-chewed. My girlhood dog, Cindy, a black standard poodle, had an unerring feel for which things to chew up for maximum effect. She'd get mad, she'd chew up your favorite stuff and leave it in the entryway. She was a great dog, though. In any event, during the time after my father's diagnosis of cancer and before it became clear that he was going to die very quickly I bought and read this book. I loved that I was able to find such a beautiful edition with the essential Tasha Tudor illustrations (it wouldn't be the same book without them in the same way that Arthur Rackham's illustrations for Wind in the Willows are the only correct ones - for me at least).I know I'm supposed to care that this book is firmly rooted in British imperialism and full of various stereotypes of Indian people and the lower classes, but I just don't. I prefer to consider it within the context of the time it was written (early 20th century) and read it for the joy of the story - I don't think a cleansing is required.I love A Secret Garden (I'm going to need a new copy of it, too), but I always liked A Little Princess more. There's something so appealing about Sara Crewe who loves to read and tell stories and uses her imagination to get her through the terrible time after her father's death when she is turned into a ward of her boarding school and horribly mistreated. She's not saccharine-sweet, either. She gets angry and has harsh words and is afraid and cries, but she embodies the notion that emotions are neutral - it's what you do with them that counts. There is an elegant nobility about her that shines throughout the book. It makes her very real and very admirable.The story is pretty standard Gothic fare - the evil headmistress, the orphaned child turned into a slave and mistreated, the father's friend recovering from illness and searching for the heroine. Burnett's addition of fairy tale imagery and Tasha Tudor's beautiful illustrations elevate the tale into a true classic.This book was a favorite of my childhood and a huge comfort to me in a time of uncertainty. It remains a favorite.
    • 4/5
      Sara Crewe is the adored young daughter of a wealthy English officer serving in India. When he finally decides to send her to a London boarding school, it's hard on them both, but Sara is a resilient and charming child and does well there. When her father dies and she is reduced from favored student to ill-treated servant, her resilience and her talent for "pretending" become more important than ever.I've loved A Little Princess since I was young. If I read it for the first time now, I probably wouldn't care for it much; Sara is practically a paragon, Miss Minchin is a little over-the-top, and many of the minor characters are rather one-dimensional. But it's still a lovely book that I enjoy just as much every time I read it.
    • 4/5
      I had to read this after seen France Hodgson Burnett mentioned in The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. It was a sweet story about a little girl whose father lived in India and sent her to school back in England. Sort of a reverse rags to riches story. Dad loses his money, then dies and the little girl is forced to become a servant. But she is apparently so sweet that almost everyone still loves her. Finally she is adopted by the dad's very rich friend. Very sweet, very predictable, but definitely one of those books you need to read.
    • 5/5
      During a week when I was very sick, my mom read this story to me. I had chosen the big, enhanced version of this story complete with beautifully detailed pictures. This story insipred me as I watched a young girl with nothing take whatever came her way and make something beautiful out of it. The twist in the end is sure to fill a few hearts as well.
    • 5/5
      I read this book aloud to my daughters.We loved it! I don't remember reading this one as a child, so it was a new one for me.Sara Crewe is such an inspiration to all young girls! Even when she was treated horribly by Miss Minchin and some of the other girls, she still carried herself with dignity and respect. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat when I read how she gave five of her buns to the beggar girl on the street and kept only one for herself. What kindness and generosity!This book is a treasure. This book teaches the values that I want my girls to have. This is a classic to keep and read again!
    • 4/5
      A Little Princess is a classic story of a rich little girl who is put under the care of a bitter, selfish schoolhouse matron. At first, the girl is treated as a star pupil; but when her father dies a ruined man, she is cruelly forced to become a servant of the schoolhouse—but her sweet, vibrant nature keeps her alive during these hard times. I have seen quite a few movie adaptations, but the book is much better than the movies. This is a good book for people of all ages to read.
    • 5/5
      I adore this novel and am so very glad I found it. Anyone that has not listened to a librivox recording of some of the mighty classics is missing something very special. I listen while doing mundane chores at home and at work. A Little Princess was a priceless tale that I hope to enjoy for years to come. Like The Secret Garden, this story holds magic, whimsy and important lessons with in it. Frances Hodgson Burnett has quickly and quietly slipped in to hold the title as my Favortie Classic Author.
    • 5/5
      Sara Crew arrives at boarding school rich and pampered. She has more dresses and dolls than any of the other girls combined, yet she is more than willing to share and she shares often. She even makes friends with the scullery maid, Becky. When her father dies suddenly and Sara is left penniless, she is forced to turn over all her lovely things and live in the attic as a scullery maid. The other girls will not even talk to her anymore, and she must now rely on her imagination to see her through the long, cold days and nights. When a sickly stranger moves into the house next door, Sara's fortunes look as if they might improve and she is in for an unexpected surprise, as is everyone else.This was another favorite of mine as a child. I couldn't get enough of the "riches to rags and back again" story. It is all about making the best of one's situation and always having a bright outlook on life, no matter how bleak your situation. I think my favorite scene from the book is when Sara finds her dingy attic room made-over.
    • 5/5
      The girl named sara was rich girl at first.But her father died suddenly.And she became poor.She had to wark from morning till night as servant.One day she met a man.He is a very kind.And he is...This story made me happy.This book worth reading!
    • 4/5
      What I like best about this novel is that Sara has figured out, from a very young age, that what really matters is what you are inside, not what you have or do. The outside of the story - the "cinderella" story, if you will - is entertaining and somewhat colored by fantasy, but the message is what makes the story stand out. I love that Sara is so kind to those whom everyone else overlooks.
    • 5/5
      This book is first off beautifully written and has a wonderful ending. One thing I liked about it was that even though Sara had a lot of money in the beginning she did not act it, she didn't brag about her money or flounce her beautiful dresses, and to top it off she also gave money to the poor and was nice to all pupils even Becky the scullery maid. And when she lost all her money and had to live in the attic and run long errands in bad weather she didn't complain about it. Overall it is a fabulous book that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.
    • 3/5
      As you may expect from any book written for children in the nineteenth century, A Little Princess is a little bit twee and a little bit sentimental - and it has the unlikely kind of fairy-tale ending that would make Dickens himself feel proud. Still, it is well-written and charming in its way, and very likeable.(Incidentally, the reason I picked up this book is that Jacqueline Wilson mentions it in her own novel, Cookie. It's probably not stretching things too far to say that Frances Hodgson Burnett was the Jacqueline Wilson of her day - at least insofar as they both write about girls surviving under difficult circumstances.)
    • 5/5
      I first read this book when I was seven years old, and I have loved it ever since. Unfortunately, I lost my copy of the book several years ago, and I had never gotten around to buying another one. But when I saw that it was free at the Kindle store, this book became the first one that I downloaded on my new Kindle. :)This story is still one of my very favorites. Sure, the ending is a little too saccharine and unbelievable, but that's still part of its charm to me. Sara is one of the most memorable heroines I've ever read about; she has the fortitude to survive a horrible situation without losing her moral fiber or character. Even though she suffers greatly, she still thinks of others before herself. Heck, I still think of her as something of a role model, and she's only seven years old at the beginning of the book!Even though the language is definitely a bit dated, I still think that this classic is enjoyable for today's readers. Once my niece is old enough to understand the story, I plan on buying her a copy of this book to read!
    • 5/5
      Sara Crewe is a very rich little girl lived in India.Her father takes her to Miss Minchin's school in London.but,on her eleventh birthday,her father dies.I love this story in japanese.Sara hadn't been depressed.so whenever i read this story,this story cheers me up.