Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Preview — National Velvet by Enid Bagnold. National Velvet by Enid Bagnold. A butcher's daughter in a small Sussex town ends her nightly prayers with "Oh, God, give me horses, give me horses! Let me be the best rider in England! Richly atmospheric of rural life in England between the World Wars, National Velvet has enchanted generations of readers since its debut.
The heroine's grit and determination, backed by the support of her eccentric and loving family, offer an inspiring example of the struggles and rewards of following a dream. Paperback , pages. Published June 5th by Egmont Books first published To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about National Velvet , please sign up. Also they dont let me read it why. Once you download it you can read it.
It's also available as hardcopy. What age group would this book be appropriate for? Willow Lucy Based off my experiences, I would say this book would be best suited for the age range, however it's an enjoyable read for people of any age. See all 4 questions about National Velvet….
Lists with This Book. A truly magical story that has been on my favourite books list since I was a child. Through the years my children and grandchildren have all enjoyed reading this book that makes you think that no matter how big the dream your dreams can come true. I also love the film that was made starring a very young Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney and I believe it was Elizabeth Taylor's first movie. This has to be one of the best classic stories around that never loses its magic. Feb 18, Jacqie rated it it was amazing.
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How do you rate a book like this? It's marketed as a children's book, but when I read it as a pre-teen there's no way I got all the subtleties that the author works into her themes. It was written in , so of course it's aged. While I was reading the book, I was very aware that I was being given a slice of life for a way that people don't live anymore. How many people even know what butchering is, much less what it would be like to live in front of a kill yard?
There's nowhere I know that wou How do you rate a book like this? There's nowhere I know that would give kids candy bars on credit with the kids carefully tallying up what they owe for when they have the money. The rural way of life, in which most dogs aren't pets, your pony is your means of transportation instead of your hobby, and the village is a long walk away- all pretty much gone.
National Velvet is about a girl and her horse, that's true enough. But it's also about women rising to their best because of a man supporting them, men seeing past appearances to the power of the woman's personality that's hiding underneath, living a life that's poor in resources but rich in community. This is not a kids' book, although a child could read it. This is also a book for people who know horses. Who know that putting a horse out to grass without grain will make them lose condition, and what that looks like. Who know that a horse can be willing without a clue what to do. Who understand that Sir Pericles is a marvel and that you never want to break his heart.
Who can see the stubbornness in a pony's rump turning toward them. That's part of why I love the book- having grown up riding but never having a horse of my own, I really identify with Velvet and her paper animals, her driving pretend horses before bed with tapes for reins. I traced paper horses myself, had Breyer horse miniatures that filled my closet. The way the Bagnold can portray the individual personalities and magnificence of horses while still finding humor in their tricks and quirks, setting it all down in passing while describing a scene, is just masterful.
It's a book that's funny, that's tragic, that's triumphant. It sees below the surface and helps the reader to do the same, if they read carefully. It's an artifact of a time gone by. It's a book for people who love children and animals and remoteness. I've never seen the movie. I can't imagine that it's anywhere close to what the book offers. Though I've treasured this since I was 12, I'd completely forgotten to include it here until "Flicka"'s lyrical narration on the Hallmark Channel sent me scrambling for book excerpts online thru red, swollen eyes, of course - hey it's a horse flick!
And what a lovely book it is - yes, yes, the triumph of the human spirit and all that, which, by the way, can never be overdone in children's or YA or ANY literature for that matter - but Enid Bagnold laid it Though I've treasured this since I was 12, I'd completely forgotten to include it here until "Flicka"'s lyrical narration on the Hallmark Channel sent me scrambling for book excerpts online thru red, swollen eyes, of course - hey it's a horse flick!
And what a lovely book it is - yes, yes, the triumph of the human spirit and all that, which, by the way, can never be overdone in children's or YA or ANY literature for that matter - but Enid Bagnold laid it all out with solid characterizations, just the right pith and passion and all the good feels. Now can we talk about how incredible THAT movie was?? Fourteen year old Velvet is mad about horses. She knows 'there are pleasures earlier than love. Earlier than love, nearer heaven' in the form of horses.
When she wins a piebald horse in a raffle, she recognises he's something special. He can easily clear five-foot fences, and he'll do anything for her. Soon, she and butcher's assistant Mi have their sights set on the biggest race in England. But how can a girl in s England get near Aintree? Peter Flannery rescues National Velvet from Hollywood, returning 14 year old Velvet to her Sussex butcher's family in the s. A welcome return for Enid Bagnold's strange, inventive fairytale about a young amateur girl rider who takes an untrained horse over the stiffest course in the world and wins.
Melanie Harris Executive Producer: View all 7 comments. This may be one of the strangest books ever written. I first read it when I was eleven or so and didn't understand it. Is it a slice-of-life book? Is it a race book? The race speeds by so fast - more page time is given to the media than to the race - and yet the entire novel turns on those few pages. The first half of the book is purely a family story, and that has its very odd moments, too.
National Velvet (film) - Wikipedia
Lots of the older girls looking like "golden greyhounds" and bein This may be one of the strangest books ever written. Lots of the older girls looking like "golden greyhounds" and being beautiful and Velvet looking boyish or like Dante huh? Lots of Donald being - well - impossible. Lots of inadvertently hilarious mealtimes. And some passing commentary that never fails to make me raise an eyebrow: The Browns loved Jacob [the dog] as they loved each other, deeply, from the back of the soul, with intolerance in daily life.
What do I do with that? Then there's Mi, who works for the Browns, whose father coached Mrs. Brown back when she was Araminty Potter and swam the Channel against the tide in terrible weather. Brown, with all her imperturbability and her closing of doors in reporters' faces - I think I might love her. Mi watched them go off with a queer look in his eye, a look old Dan had worn when he saw Araminty Brown strike out from the brim of the land.
There are men who like to make something out of women. There's dated and there's dated. He half turned his shoulder on her. While Velvet sat on the piebald he thought her the loveliest thing on earth. Like Dan, his father, he hardly saw the faces of women. Still, it's a funny mix of insight and the oddest misogyny. The book ends with pages and pages of the press hounding Velvet before deciding she's old news I think that's the best part of the book: One where the race is almost unimportant, even as it's the reason the book exists. View all 4 comments.
Jun 19, Beth Bonini rated it liked it Shelves: There was an illuminating introduction to that book, in which the editor explained how Gibbons was parodying a writing style and subject matter popular in that era. If you've read any D. Lawrence you will have a feeling for what I'm referring to: I couldn't help think of that essay when I read th Not long ago, I read Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons -- written in the s and set in rural England, just like this novel.
I couldn't help think of that essay when I read this book. It is an exceedingly strange book in some ways, and not really meant for children. You could probably give it to an eccentric 12 year old who is a sophisticated reader. Nor it is really about horses, although the dramatic climax of the book has 14 year old Velvet disguised as a boy winning the Grand National on an appallingly muddy and foggy course.
Really, the book is about family -- and about will and desire. If you can succumb to the peculiar charms of the writing style, you might well enjoy this book. I really liked this book. Sometimes, I just can't stand books written in "old" style writing, but I just adored National Velvet. The characters, the plot, the descriptions First off, Velvet is a fourteen year old girl who aspires to become the best rider in England and win the Grand National.
The amazing thing is, she actually does it! Now who wouldn't love such a heroine? She's very sweet and innocent, but very determined and she loves her family, and of course I really liked this book. She's very sweet and innocent, but very determined and she loves her family, and of course Mi and her horse. The story itself was well laid out: And the author didn't go overboard with the details, but laid them out in an interesting way.
This is obviously a classic for horse lovers, but consider reading it even if you don't love horses. In fact, it was one of the more disheartening books I've read in a while. My issue is with the style and content of the story -- because the overall plot is just dandy! Let's start at the beginning, shall we? My problems with it started on page 1. And yet, I thought that it must get better. It's a children's classic, right? So it has to be good. Or not, depending on who you are. So, p 'National Velvet' is not what I thought it would be.
My first hurdle to get over was the writing style. It's different than almost any other book I've read, thus, it was hard to just "fall into" the story seamlessly.
National Velvet carried Elizabeth Taylor to stardom.
I'll all for the vintage and antique hardbound gems. But this one threw me for a loop. Perhaps it's the dryness of the words. There's no wit, no humor, or no glory in it. Except for the last page or two at the end -- which really was fantastic and was the best text found in the whole volume!
Is it OK for kids to read books outside their reading levels? Column 4 Our impact report: How Tech Is Changing Childhood. Want personalized picks that fit your family? Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids. Inspiring horse story has small but mighty heroine. Enid Bagnold Animals Sign in or join to save for later.
Parents say No reviews yet Add your rating. Kids say No reviews yet Add your rating. Get it now Searching for streaming and purchasing options Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Get it now on Searching for streaming and purchasing options A lot or a little? The parents' guide to what's in this book.
Velvet doesn't see it happen, but she's close enough to hear when a man commits suicide. Teen Edwina and her boyfriend, Teddy, meet after dark and kiss. The word "bitch" is used in reference to female animals, and once as a derogatory term.
National velvet (1944) Soundtrack
The Brown girls eat Mars bars and Crunchies. Port and some kind of peppermint spirits are taken medicinally. What parents need to know Parents need to know that Enid Bagnold's classic novel National Velvet stands with Anna Sewell's Black Beauty as one of the great books for horse lovers. Continue reading Show less. Stay up to date on new reviews. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox.
User Reviews Parents say Kids say. There aren't any reviews yet. So does Mi, who says good-bye to Mr. When Velvet hears that he's gone, she asks if she can tell him about his father, who helped Mrs. Brown achieve an important dream. Brown consents, and Velvet races after Mi, catching up to him just as the movie ends. But it also deals with what happens after the dream comes true. The film also conveys the importance of faith -- Velvet's faith in herself, Pi, and her dream; and her family's faith in her and in Mi -- and the importance of that belief and support in making the dream come true.
What kinds of stereotypes about women were popular in the era of National Velvet? What kinds of stereotypes about women remain? Why didn't Velvet want to make movies or do any of the other things people asked her to do after she won? What are the benefits and drawbacks of being a celebrity? How do the characters in National Velvet demonstrate integrity and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths? Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate.
The star rating reflects overall quality and learning potential. Learn how we rate. For Your Family Log in Sign me up. Is it OK for kids to read books outside their reading levels? Column 4 Our impact report: How Tech Is Changing Childhood. Want personalized picks that fit your family? Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids. Great family movie; even better for horse lovers.
G minutes. Sign in or join to save for later. Based on 3 reviews. Based on 4 reviews.
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