“The Railway Children” by Edith Nesbit

The Railway Children 

by Edith Nesbit

Synopsis: 

When their father mysteriously disappears “on business,” Roberta, Peter, Phyllis, and their mother suddenly turn poor and are obliged to leave London and move to the country. Here they fall in love with the railway and befriend the people that work and travel upon it. They meet and make friends with several country people, all the while wondering at Mother’s different behaviour and Father’s non-return. When Bobbie stumbles upon the cause of poor Father’s disappearance, can a new friend save her father from his undeserved predicament and reunite the family? 

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 9/10 hearts. How I love this book! It is easily in my Top 10 All-Time Favourites list. The children are so sweet and loveable and funny and realistic—I love them all. Mother is simply wonderful, and all the other characters are perfect in their way too. (There are a couple instances where the children say the trains/railway are magic/enchanted; also a mention of bargees drinking beer together.) There are so many hilarious quotes in this book, it was terribly hard to pick one! I’m not sure how many times I’ve read it but I still laugh aloud at certain speeches. ;) And it is so beautiful! This is definitely my absolutely-everyone-should-read-this book. Just simply wonderful!! <33

A Favourite Quote: “‘I say,’ said Peter, musingly, ‘wouldn’t it be jolly if we all WERE in a book, and you were writing it? Then you could make all sorts of jolly things happen[.]’
“‘Don’t you think it’s rather nice to think that we’re in a book that God’s writing? If I were writing the book, I might make mistakes. But God knows how to make the story end just right—in the way that’s best for us.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “And from the three long uncurtained windows the beautiful stretch of meadow and moorland, the far violet of the hills, and the unchanging changefulness of cloud and sky.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Oh, I BEG your pardon, Peter,’ said Bobbie, ‘I AM so sorry.’
“‘Don’t mention it,’ said Peter, grandly, ‘I knew you would be.’”

Purchase this book: 

Canada | America