Mandy Review
This story begins in a large orphanage for girls in England. The main character is Mandy, a young orphaned girl who lives under the matron's strict, precise rules. But then she discovers something that turns her life upside-down: a tiny cottage, nestled away in the thick woods near the orphanage. The girl immediately falls in love with the little house, especially the magnificent "shell room", and she ultimately claims it as her own. Time and time again, she slips away to her new hideout, and very slowly the house begins to be something beautiful. Walls are scrubbed and furnished, and brilliant flowers are planted outside. Mandy slowly and carefully scrubs and digs away years of filth and grime. But the matron begins to be suspicious, and Mandy must struggle to hide her secret more than ever. Then Mandy falls ill in the cottage. Who will save her? Who is the "secret visitor" who keeps visiting her cottage? This book is interesting, heartwarming, and suspenseful. I loved watching how gradually the cottage became beautiful. The ending is sad and happy at the same time. It's an amazing book and extremely descriptive - for instance, when describing the flowers Julie Andrews says something like this - "Masses of brilliant petals laid thickly on one another." I'd recommend this book to anyone, old or young!
-Mikael
Age 11
Mandy Overview
Longing for a place of her own, a ten-year-old orphan creates a secret home in a deserted cottage in the village of St. Martin's Green.
Mandy Specifications
For an orphan child whose life is filled with comfortable, predictable sameness, with no particular hardships, life is, well, all right. Really, what does Mandy have to worry about? So it comes as a surprise even to Mandy when a small restlessness begins to grow in her. This lonely ache sets her to wandering farther afield, and leads her to a startling and wonderful discovery over the orphanage wall--a very old, very small, seemingly abandoned cottage. Embarking on a clandestine domestic fantasy involving gardening tools and soap flakes, Mandy finds herself being less than honest about where and how she's spending her days. Holding her secret closer and closer to her heart, this imaginative dreamer inadvertently endangers her reputation--and her life.
For every child who has fallen in love with The Secret Garden or A Little Princess, Julie Andrews Edwards's 1971 novel will be a heartwarming discovery. Any sometimes-lonely child with a giant imagination will recognize Mandy's dreams and rejoice in her ultimate fairy-tale happy ending. Judith Gwyn Brown's Edward Gorey-esque pen and ink drawings (with none of Gorey's sinister air) are quietly memorable. Fans of Julie Andrews Edwards--Sound of Music star of stage and screen--will be thrilled to see her latest children's book, Little Bo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea, or to an earlier favorite, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
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Related Products
- The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
- No Flying in the House (Harper Trophy Books)
- The Ordinary Princess
- The Great American Mousical (Julie Andrews Collection)
- Simeon's Gift (Julie Andrews Collection)
Customer Reviews
Mandy by Julie Andrews - J. Hermansen -
What an adorable book! Easy read and really great story for all ages!
This book was a delightful surprise! Not only is Julie Andrews a talented actress,
she is a talented writer - and this was her first book!
Recommend this highly for anyone. I know i plan to read these to my grandchildren.
I hope to collect them all!
J. Hermansen
Cypress, CA
Glad to have found it - P. Walker -
Bought this book years ago for a little girl in the family and it became her favorite book. Now the next generation is here and I wanted it as a gift. Was so happy to find it and in a collectible form. Shipped VERY timely and exactly as described. I'm VERY happy.
One of the best books ever - K - Long Island, NY
I have the original hardcover version of this book, given to me at the end of 2nd grade by my teacher. I am 44 years old now and it still one of my all time favorite books. I re-read it every few years, and still cry every time. Young girls will identify with Mandy, whether or not they are actually orphans. How many of us wouldn't just love to find a cottage in the woods that they could fix up and call their own? Highly recommended!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 04, 2010 10:00:06
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