Book review - The Penderwicks

Birdsall, Jeanne. 2005. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy. Alfred A. Knopf: New York, NY.

This enjoyable book is the summer tale of four fascinating sisters – Rosalind, 12; Skye, 11; Jane, 10; Batty, 4 – and their many adventures at the Berkshire cottage on the Arudel estate. Although the story may seem a bit old-fashioned, it definitely works with the Penderwicks! Their father is widowed and has a very gentle, easy-going personality. Although he is good-intentioned, he rarely is clued in on his daughters many misadventures. The girls spend their three weeks of vacation frolicking around the Arudel estate and avoiding its owner, the snooty Mrs. Tifton. After befriending her son Jeffrey, the gardener Cagney, and the hospitable house-maid Churchie, avoiding Mrs. Tifton becomes more difficult, and then eventually impossible. The sisters’ characters are deep, well-developed, and believable. Each has a unique personality and powerful range of emotion, and their relationship with each other is both endearing and very realistic. Most of the other characters re rather static and superficial, especial Mrs. Tifton and her gentleman friend Dexter, but they balance with the strength of the sisters’ characters. The setting is perfect for the content of this novel and the plot moves along at snippy pace without ever feeling heavy or bogging down. This is a well-written, easy to read novel with wide-appeal. Highly recommended. Mandy Hooker (Written as an assignment for TWU SLIS).