How many times I read snips of chapters of this in literature books, or read abridged versions…all giving me the impression I had a rather complete unHow many times I read snips of chapters of this in literature books, or read abridged versions…all giving me the impression I had a rather complete understanding of the general plot. But I was totally ignorant of how meandering it is…how episodic. The story is disjointed and odd, (the episode with Pan the ‘demi god� in the forest was exceptionally unexpected and bizarre). The story about Toad (that is continually advertised as the main attraction) is only one thread of the many separate tangles, that most abridged versions must scrape and cobble together. Now I understand why the abridged versions are so much shorter. I assume they totally leave out the being in the forest that casts forgetfulness over Rat and Mole, but drew them to the lost baby otter. They leave out the field mice that go caroling, the Sea Rat that hypnotizes the Water Rat until the Mole has to hold him down and lock the door while the Water Rat has a mental breakdown, shaking and sobbing, his eyes gone grey.
It’s overall storytelling shares similarities to many old books (such as Old Rough the Miser—another old story about animals—which actually came out two years before Wind in the Willows). Meaning no disrespect to the author (whose luscious descriptions and creative comparisons I quite thoroughly enjoyed) it seems the sort of narrative that chanced it’s way into fame, pushing aside other, perhaps even more deserving, works. Why is it this is remembered and turned into so many movies and plays when books like Prince Vance and Sylvie and Bruno are forgotten and drift near the edges of complete obscurity? Perhaps the personification of the animals was a pioneering work in that quarter, though I have read plenty of old works that feature such themes and characters.
My favorite section was when Mole wants to find his old house and his friend Rat goes so far out of his way to make it the most beautiful and splendid night for him. It was a special chapter, my eyes nearly fogged. And to be certain, the Water Rat was my favorite character.
As far as other characters…there is one I can not help griping about. How strangely unlikable Toad is. I should really like to see him locked up for life, or caught in a trap in the ground. He seems incapable of lasting change. And inflicts cruelty on others with less than zero conscience. I should like to give him a hearty shake, but alas, it would be pointless. He’s rotten to the core.
Overall, though I wanted to, I did not find myself loving this book. I always felt I’d missed out on it growing up, but now I see that I was getting along just fine without it. I was happier reading about Hobbits, Martin the Warrior, Tripods, and Alice in Wonderland....more
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