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Julie G's Reviews > Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web
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Julie G's review
bookshelves: favorite-books, favorite-books-for-elementary-age, worthy-of-another-read, you-ll-need-a-hankie, year-of-the-pig-boar, animal-house, on-death-and-dying, you-ve-got-a-friend, 50-from-the-1950s, year-of-the-mouse-rat
Nov 25, 2013
bookshelves: favorite-books, favorite-books-for-elementary-age, worthy-of-another-read, you-ll-need-a-hankie, year-of-the-pig-boar, animal-house, on-death-and-dying, you-ve-got-a-friend, 50-from-the-1950s, year-of-the-mouse-rat
Read 2 times. Last read June 17, 2018.
Update 6/2018: I will boldly assert here that I think this is the greatest children's book ever written, and I am embarking today on my 4th read of this classic. It is my youngest child's turn to discover the joys and sorrows of friendship and of life, as presented by one of my favorite writers, Mr. E. B. White. Rest in peace, Andy, you beautiful man.
Original review:
This is quite ridiculous, that I should read this, at 42-years-old, for the third time in my life, and end up blubbering hot tears all over my face and down the front of my shirt.
I can't get over that my youngest, at 5-years-old, sat through the entire book this week, mesmerized by the brilliant and timeless story-telling. She giggled, frequently, at the funny passages, and then she laughed at me, her grown mother, crying a river for the last 40 pages. I honestly cried to the point of being physically incapable of reading out loud.
And then, as Charlotte's babies drifted away shouting "Good-bye! Good-bye! Good-bye!" my daughter's face contorted strangely and the next thing I knew, she was face down on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
This is one powerful story.
Original review:
This is quite ridiculous, that I should read this, at 42-years-old, for the third time in my life, and end up blubbering hot tears all over my face and down the front of my shirt.
I can't get over that my youngest, at 5-years-old, sat through the entire book this week, mesmerized by the brilliant and timeless story-telling. She giggled, frequently, at the funny passages, and then she laughed at me, her grown mother, crying a river for the last 40 pages. I honestly cried to the point of being physically incapable of reading out loud.
And then, as Charlotte's babies drifted away shouting "Good-bye! Good-bye! Good-bye!" my daughter's face contorted strangely and the next thing I knew, she was face down on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
This is one powerful story.
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Reading Progress
November 21, 2013
–
Started Reading
November 25, 2013
– Shelved
November 25, 2013
–
Finished Reading
June 17, 2018
–
Started Reading
June 17, 2018
–
Finished Reading
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Jun 17, 2018 04:09PM
I still have my copy of this book due October 1979 to the Park Place Methodist Church Library in Houston. It was worth incurring what is probably now a very high late fee. I hope your youngest daughter is as captivated by this tale of life and death and friendship as we were. What a wonderful mother you are to introduce this to her, Julie.
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One of my very favorites, Julie! My daughter adored this one too. Everyone should have the pleasure of reading this book :) I hope the re-read with your youngest marks another cherished mother-daughter memory.
Neale,I'm so glad that this classic had world-wide stamina. It deserved it. If you ever want to read some fantastic essays, I recommend the adult writings of E.B. White, too.
Joe,I love this! Maybe you could pay this month's mortgage payment at the library with your overdue fees?
This book. . . breaks my heart, and I think you know that one of the essays he wrote, "Death of a Pig," is one of my favorite works of non-fiction of all time. I think this book is as close to perfect as any book can get.
Candi,Wouldn't you think that I'd be able to read it now, without crying?? Nope!
Thanks, Henry. I want to go!!
Lovely review, Julie, and confession: I didn't read Charlotte's Web until I used it in Zelda McFigg. Double confession: I used my bookshelves as a form of bibliomancy. Zelda used the books I happened to pull off the shelf. Some of us are late bloomers in finding great books (me!).
The older I become the more I realize the lasting impact this book had on my life.
Julie wrote: "Thanks, Henry. I want to go!!"Julie, I want to go too! Old Sturbridge village is less than 5 hours from me. Just sayin'... :)
What a sweet, sensitive 5-year old daughter you have, Julie. It's been years since my adult children had that story. I might have to find and read it again.
I have your daughter’s reaction (more or less!) every time I read this book or listen to the audio, which seems to be about once a year! As you know, I share your love for this book and E.B. White, and I stand with you completely in your assertion. Absolutely.
Aw, Julie, you had me tearing up just reading your review and remembering reading this to my kids once (or many times) upon a time.
Betsy,I have Zelda on my bookshelf now, which is very exciting for me. She is waiting patiently for me to get through my hefty list of required reads for my novel now, because I do the same thing! If it makes you feel any better, I never read Little House on the Prairie or Anne of Green Gables as a child, I discovered both of them as an adult and I became obsessed with them!
Nancy,It's like this book encompasses all of life. It's truly a perfect book!
Henry,My kids went last year to a play of Charlotte's Web and loved it. I cried during that, too.
Candi,Maybe we should see if they offer Charlotte's Web in Vegas? It might not be *traditional* but we're flexible, right??
Carol,My 5-year-old from this original review is now 10 and her little sister is now 7. Time flies. It's my 7-year-old's first experience of Wilbur and Charlotte, but my 10-year-old demanded to be part of the read aloud again (I can't blame her)!
As Ann Landers used to say ' hit me with a wet noodle". I am an educator and a mom and never read this. My Bad!
Julie, I definitely could not read the ending of this out loud. I got foggy-eyed just reading your review.
Julie wrote: "Candi,Maybe we should see if they offer Charlotte's Web in Vegas? It might not be *traditional* but we're flexible, right??"
I'm about as flexible as can be, Julie. Vegas-style Charlotte's Web would do fine by me ;0
Jennifer,I know. You are my E.B. White soul sister! Even though Mr. White may have the WORST voice ever recorded in history, I'd still listen to the audio book over and over again, just to hear the story. I do prefer the book, though, and I can't believe I have another valid excuse to read it again. *joy!*
Oh, Cheri. Now it's time to read it to the grandkids. Those bittersweet tears never get old.
Oh, my dear friend. While I wasn't sobbing after reading your poignant review, I certainly had big tears in my eyes . . . and a few escaped! 😊
Barbara,Forget the wet noodle and grab yourself a copy and an interested child and your hankie and get down to the business of smiling and crying, my friend!
Vanessa,The crying has no expiration date on this one!
Gorgeous review, Julie! I teared up just reading your review. I bought a set of Web/Stuart/Trumpet a few years ago, hoping to reread them. And EB White's essays are pure genius. One of my favourite writers!
Jaline,This is like the child's version of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry!
Glenn,If I wasn't still favoring the arm I broke this winter. . . I'd be doing a cartwheel right now, after reading that you love Mr. White's essays!! That thrills me, truly. I have two collections of his work that I haven't yet read, and I keep them by my nightstand, just to remind myself that he and I have not come to the end of our "new" material. I remember the day that I read the last published work of Kent Haruf's. . . I felt wounded, knowing he was gone and no new work would appear. *sigh*
The first book I ever read. Thanks for the sweet review, Julie.
Once again a (even 2!) great review Julie. I should stop reading them as it nearly always means another book to add to my already too long list! I wish I would be able to write reviews like yours. Thank you so much.
Annie,What a kind comment. Thank you! You will not regret reading this one, I promise, whether you're reading it to a child or yourself.
I started this last night, Julie, and got a huge laugh in the first chapter. Fern's 10 year old brother came in to breakfast carrying a gun and a dagger. Then ran out to catch the bus, grabbing his gun on the way! Oh, for the days when shooting up the school wasn't even a possibility.
Diane,I know. Can we all just move in, and live in this book??
Julie,What a wonderful review! What a powerful book. I need to find this book.
Ebba
Julie, I 100% agree with you. It's one of my all time favorite books ever since I first read it when I was 8. I just checked and I own the 1952 hardcover, that same book I read as a child.
I’m ashamed to be reading this at 39 years old. I saw the movie and loved it so I didn’t care to read the book. My 8 year old read it and we made the pact that after I read it after her we could watch the movie together. I’m half way and I’m getting your review vibes about it. I dread reaching the end but SO worth it.
Jools, what an enticing review. How could I not add this? If it's half as impactful as you state in your review - I'll be a mess!!! Love it, great review :))
Wow, powerful review Julie.
