What books did your parents or grandparents pass down their love of? One of my all time favourites was brought to life for me last week.
I finally watched the BBC’s adaptation of The Borrowers on Mother’s Day. Something in my subconscious wasn’t ready to face it over Christmas, it is the most influential book of my childhood, the one that ignited my love of reading and writing stories, and one of many that was handed down to me by my mum.
But I absolutely loved it, even if it was a lot more sexed up and action packed than I remember it. The boy is no longer packed off from India to recover from rheumatic fever at an aunt’s house, but living with his Gran in Hackney after the death of his mother. Another layer of resonance for me. It was bittersweet, but it still seemed like the right thing to watch on Mother’s Day.
I loved the story, the passion of Arietty, the flirtation with Spiller, the wonderful fesityness of the Clock family. I love that it becomes a tale of coming of age, and that it reminds me so much of my family. It hit me hard at the end, when Arietty’s parents gave her their blessing to go out into the world. It reminded me that once I left home, I would always cry when I left my parents after visiting. Even when I was headed back to the excitement of the big smoke with my very own Spiller. It reminded me too, that after all those years she’s not there any more to go back to.
I’m so grateful to my parents for their huge legacy of books, I might feature a few more as I try to carve out more reading time and less time phaffing online.
What books have you been handed down? What books will be your little legacies?
Little legacy is a remembrance project , a positive and creative space, to celebrate small things handed down by inspiring people. Feel free to link up a little legacy you’ve been thinking about this week, or to leave one in the comments. Here’s the code and here’s more on Little Legacy
Image credit – BBC Pictures
I loved watching this one at Christmas, it was really good. The Borrowers was one of the few books that grabbed my attention when I was younger. The Secret Garden, Wind in the Willows and Mrs Pepperpot were a few of my other favourites. Bex now has The Secret Garden and Wind in the Willows still remains on the family book shelf.
Glad you enjoyed watching it xxx
Ali recently posted..Tortilla & Chilli Layer Recipe
I knew you would say some I loved, but I had no idea I would meet a fellow Mrs Pepperpot lover! Separated at birth
The Alexander Residence recently posted..Foo fighting and BIB voting
I loved this too. My books were all Famous Five and Ladybirds. My dad recently bought the whole series of Famous Five again for my eldest son, but he wasn’t interested in them (heathen!)
I posted about it recently, so I’ve joined in the Linky!!
Helen Spencer recently posted..Joe’s Letters Home, WWII: Posted to Bridlington!
I loved the Famous 5 although mum tried to discourage them, she thought Enid was sexist and racist…
The Alexander Residence recently posted..Foo fighting and BIB voting
Penny, where can I see the other entries to your Linky? Is it bloody obvious and I’m a crazy batty old woman?
Helen Spencer recently posted..Joe’s Letters Home, WWII: Posted to Bridlington!
Shhhh! It’s a quiet one this week, just you and me!
The Alexander Residence recently posted..Foo fighting and BIB voting
I really enjoyed this at Christmas, it was just right and I would love to see a series.
The Mad House recently posted..Classic Outdoor Games – Guest Post
I know, I wanted more!
The Alexander Residence recently posted..Foo fighting and BIB voting