Mary Poppins by Dr. P. L. Travers
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Book Reviews of Mary Poppins
Book Review: Magical.
Summary: 5 Stars
The entire Mary Poppins book series by the wonderful P.L. Travers is fantastic. I'm so glad to see they have finally arrived in hardcover with the original covers. No, this is not the sugary Disney movie--but this, the original story, will take your breath away with its magic and wonder. Give it a try. I think if you take these stories for what they are you will appreciate the wit and the adventure.Book Review: Light hearted fun
Summary: 5 Stars
The book brings back fond memories and it offers good illustrations with light-hearted fun! Characters stand out as if you would have known them, and you, yourself, are happy to live in your childhood once again.Book Review: She's dynamic. I give her that.
Summary: 4 Stars
Mary Poppins I first read when I was seven or so. She disgusted and frightened a young child a great deal, although she also fascinated her to the point she read all her books repeatedly anyways.
Had Disney stuck strictly to the book version (and certainly Disney had a long struggle with the author over book issues) no parent would have allowed their young child to watch it. To this day, at age 30, while I enjoy the books immensely, Mary Poppin's character flaws disgust me in many ways....mostly for her coldness and her capacity for cruelty. Her soft side is rarely seen unless it is in tribute to herself. Yet she fascinated me. You also must take into account English storytelling styles, which always differed greatly from American ones or Japanese ones. As a culture, I've noticed how different ones have different story requirements that deem it a complete, satisfying piece.
For literature, she's an interesting dynamic. I do believe it is better when books portray characters as more than just one extreme in personality trait or other. Mary Poppins does this quite well. The best in literature produces intense emotions of many varieties in its readers, and the best in literature enthusiasts realize this fact.
I have one final thought. In the original version of the original book, the chapter "Bad Tuesday" was quite different than one usually finds in the current editions. PL Travers rewrote it in 1980-ish because by that time, the extreme racial stereotypes in that chapter had become outdated to the point she bent to allegations of racism and changed the chapter entirely. Parents of older children might consider finding an old edition with the original text. That is the way things were and how people thought in that time period, and it is therefore a part of history. It's a lesson that needs to be taught in order for it to never be forgotten, because once it is forgotten, it's all too easy to repeat the same mistakes. History is full of that sort of evidence. And, yes, finally, there is also the issue of historical accuracy. It's another facet of truth, even if how it is portrayed is considered by today's standards as less than politically correct.
Book Review: Better than the movie
Summary: 4 Stars
The eccentric, wacky nanny is even more entertaining in this book than she was in the movie. She takes the children on countless magical adventures and has such a warm relationship with them. There isn't a dull moment in this exciting roller coaster ride of fantasy. This should be considered a classic.Book Review: Mary Poppins -
Summary: 4 Stars
Wonderful Ms. Travers - These are books to read and enjoy, even if you have seen and love the movie. I read these books as a child, saw the movie as an adult - So the magic never left... Please encourage your children to read the books on which the Disney movies are based.