Annie Roe Carr

I don’t make a habit of reading books aimed at young girls, but I can’t deny that the odd few I have read are jolly entertaining.

I specifically tried “Nan Sherwood’s Winter Holidays” because I assumed it was a Christmas-themed novel, and I usually read something festive in December. It turns out, however, that this isn’t the case. The story opens at the start of the winter holidays, then it bypasses Christmas altogether, and continues with the latter part of the girls’ break.

As alluded to at the start, this is an entertaining novel. The pace is fast, the characters are engaging, and the tone throughout is upbeat and positive.

Nan Sherwood is something of a heroine without superpowers. Totally selfless, always putting other people’s troubles before her own, she makes the perfect role model for young girls.

I’m not clear how old Nan and her contemporaries are supposed to be. They could be thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen. It would’ve benefited the reader if the author had been specific here, as while there’s little or no difference between, say, a 23- and 25-year-old, there is a notable difference between thirteen and fifteen in terms of attitude, ideas, and appearance.

The above is an observation, not a criticism. What I do question is the strong vernacular used for certain characters, as it slows the narrative down. Although the author does a fine job in writing the different dialects, I imagine many children would have difficulty understanding it, certainly children reading it nowadays. I struggled to understand what was being said at times.

Sometimes, when a dialect isn’t too hard to follow, it can be effective. For example, a nine-year-old girl called Inez, who leads a rough life, is painted more vivid because of her dialect.

Inez, incidentally, is my favourite character. She likable and funny.

I also like Nan herself, and Nan’s loyal sidekick Bess. These two have several amusing conversations.

Overall, a good read, especially the first part where excessive snow brings a train to a halt. If I, a grown man, like it, I suspect many young girls would love it. That it was published in 1916 shouldn’t be off-putting. It offers a charm of days gone by.… (altro)