A Little Princess: The Story of Sara Crewe - Frances Hodgson Burnett

For my eighth book in my Shelf Discovery Challenge Rampage Month, I decided to read "A Little Princess". I did not read this book as a child, but my husband had very fond memories of reading it in Poland as a youth. I find this somewhat comical, because this novel seems so totally feminine. Apparently, his sister read the book first, and convinced him it was worth the effort just to bask in the deliciously horrid character of Miss Minchen. We have also always loved the movie, which is precious and magical.

The story is about a young girl named Sara Crewe, who was raised in India by her very wealthy father. Being motherless hasn't seemed to dampen this girl's spirits. In fact, she is a mature, joyful and well-adjusted child, who is loved by all. At the age of 7, her father takes her to a London school for girls, run by the brutal, money-mongering Miss Minchen. But money talks, and Sara lives well...she is given the largest room, a personal servant of her own, and the biggest birthday parties. Sara is not spoiled though. She speaks flawless French, is an excellent dancer, and has befriended most of the girls, even the backwards and difficult ones. Everyone calls her "Princess Sara", because she believes that every girl is a princess, no matter how poor or rich, how beautiful or plain.


On Sara's 11th birthday, however, she receives word that her father has died suddenly, and without a penny, due to a bad investment. The evil Minchen absconds of Sara's beautiful possessions, forces her into servitude, starves her, and provides a rat-infested attic in which to live. In Princess Sara style, she refuses to let her circumstances get her down. She finds beauty in the sunsets from the attic window, she befriends the resident rat, continues to entertain the other girls with fantastic stories, tells herself that she is still a princess, and holds fast to her dignity. Magical things start to happen when a family movies in next door, accompanied by a mysterious Indian gentleman. Who are they? And who sneaks into the attic while Sara is away, leaving food, comfortable bedding and books?

This is an amazing, charming, magical tale that envies Cinderella. I can see why children would be obsessed with it. The prose seemed a little simplistic and awkward at times, with the point of view erratically jumping all over the place. Still, it does not take away from the pleasure of reading this enchanted book of good versus evil.

BUT (this is a seriously big but), it was to my great disadvantage to have seen the movie first. I loved that movie. I've seen it dozens of times. But someone took the written word and completely bastardized it. In case you haven't seen the movie, I won't go into details, but let's just say that they Hollywooded it to freaking death, and totally changed the story. And I had no idea until I finished the book one night. It was almost a book-throwing situation. I raged to my husband the next morning over our orange juice. "What the hell was THAT?", I asked. "How dare they?", I screamed. He stood there open-mouthed for a few seconds, then said "Well it isn't the author's fault!". I replied, "Yes, I know that. But I couldn't separate the two, and it ruined it for me!".

So this is a perfect example of how the movie can ruin the book. If you've never experienced either, I think you will love the book. If you've seen the movie first, just be prepared for a whole different plot, and proceed with caution and no expectations!

3 out of 5 stars