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Il meraviglioso mondo degli Snerg
Pip e Flora sono nei guai. Per fuggire dall’Istituto Baia del Sole sono finiti nel Bosco Fosco, e da lì oltre la soglia di un mondo fantastico. Un universo magico, fatto di case sugli alberi e popolato da orsi di cannella, giullari maldestri, dai Kelp guidati da un perfido re e una Cattiva vestita di viola dalla testa ai piedi. Per fortuna Gorbo, uno Snerg fidato ma un po’ smemorato, prenderà a cura le sorti di Pip e Flora e cercherà di aiutarli a ritrovare la strada di casa, anche se i due non sono tanto certi di dove sia veramente e Gorbo non si ricorda più come arrivarci…
Vorrei dichiarare il mio amore e quello dei miei figli per Il meraviglioso mondo degli Snerg e per l’indimenticabile personaggio di Gorbo, il miglior compagno di viaggio che si possa desiderare.
J.R.R. Tolkien
Vorrei dichiarare il mio amore e quello dei miei figli per Il meraviglioso mondo degli Snerg e per l’indimenticabile personaggio di Gorbo, il miglior compagno di viaggio che si possa desiderare.
J.R.R. Tolkien
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
April 11, 2025
70 pages in and I can’t stay focused. Bored, unfortunately. Was hoping for the charm of TJ Klune.
July 2, 2020
7 out of 10
Haven't read the original story that, by the way, was the inspiration for Hobbit, but I pretty much liked this interpretation. Vivid prose, twisted adventures, interesting characters, multidimensional plot, and really funny humor parts.
February 14, 2025
A delightfully whimsical story! It really did feel like a precursor to the Hobbit- but with much more whimsy and much more of a fairytale quality.
May 7, 2021
I haven't read the original story but I surely adore this retelling. It's funny, charming and magical.
The characters are also likeable, especially Pip, Flora and Gorbo.
The story itself is quite light and fast. So, if you are expecting any deep and complicated story, you won't get it from this book. It's not a bad thing though, because sometimes we need books that is enjoyable and light to read, right? :) However, it will still touch and warm your heart.
Also, the cover is so beautiful and there are some illustrations inside too. Which is something that I love from books. Seriously though, add this one to your list. Truly truly an enjoyable read perfect for a lovely sunny day in the garden or by the sea :)
The characters are also likeable, especially Pip, Flora and Gorbo.
The story itself is quite light and fast. So, if you are expecting any deep and complicated story, you won't get it from this book. It's not a bad thing though, because sometimes we need books that is enjoyable and light to read, right? :) However, it will still touch and warm your heart.
Also, the cover is so beautiful and there are some illustrations inside too. Which is something that I love from books. Seriously though, add this one to your list. Truly truly an enjoyable read perfect for a lovely sunny day in the garden or by the sea :)
November 4, 2024
“The Marvelous Land of Snergs” by Veronica Cossanteli is a modern retelling of “The Marvellous Land of Snergs”, by Edward Augustine Wyke-Smith.
First of all, the very idea of retelling a classic is absurd and should be off the table as soon as it lands.
Second, in Romania, this book is falsely advertised by its publisher, Rao Publishing Company, as the original book by Edward Augustine Wyke-Smith. This is because his name appears as the author, and Cossanteli’s name is in small letters under it (fine print, am I right?), so you can’t really tell it’s not the original unless you open the book before you buy it. And we all know that doesn’t happen in the Internet era so often, because you order books online more often than you buy them physically.
Third... This has very little to do with the original work, and for someone familiar with the book by E.A. Wyke-Smith, this is luckily obvious from the title, as it uses the American spelling of “Marvelous” instead of the British original “Marvellous”. For what reason I am not sure, as Cossanteli lives in the UK, so she should write British English as far as I am concerned.
Fourth... This is indeed a “modern retelling”, and it’s basically all you need to know to avoid it. But... I will elaborate. There are multiple gender-swaps, quite a few name changes (Joe and Sylvia are now Pip and Flora), and dramatic plot changes.
The orphanage is now in the real world, not in the Land of the Snergs for some reason. They use portals to travel back and forth.
Mother Meldrum is now Widow Meldrum, and she’s not old anymore, she’s actually Miss Watkyns’s evil twin sister, who transforms people into frogs (yes, that’s not a cliché at all), dresses up as an old lady, and (watch out for this) Golithos is her biological son (?!?). She pops up at the beginning of the story, attempting to kidnap Flora (Sylvia) in a car (?!?).
Not to mention they made Baldry into a straight out villain, which, ironically, the author apologizes for in the Afterword, clearly aware of what she did.
Unlike in the original, nobody dies in the story this time. Golithos is redeemed and goes to live in the orphanage with the kids at the end (yes, a freaking immense troll) and Meldrum transforms into a bat and runs away.
The plot deviations are outright absurd and make no sense. I was disappointed beyond limits.
The only positive thing I can find with this book is that it’s easier to read by contemporary children, who grew up with tablets and smartphones, mostly because the vocabulary is simpler and their attention spans wouldn’t be able to cope with the original.
But in the end, it is something you should avoid, as it does a great injustice to the original. I have just read it because I paid for it by accident and I wanted to get my money’s worth, but had it not been for the false advertising, I shouldn’t have been here.
Avoid by all means if you are a fan of the original or if you intend to read the original.
1/5
First of all, the very idea of retelling a classic is absurd and should be off the table as soon as it lands.
Second, in Romania, this book is falsely advertised by its publisher, Rao Publishing Company, as the original book by Edward Augustine Wyke-Smith. This is because his name appears as the author, and Cossanteli’s name is in small letters under it (fine print, am I right?), so you can’t really tell it’s not the original unless you open the book before you buy it. And we all know that doesn’t happen in the Internet era so often, because you order books online more often than you buy them physically.
Third... This has very little to do with the original work, and for someone familiar with the book by E.A. Wyke-Smith, this is luckily obvious from the title, as it uses the American spelling of “Marvelous” instead of the British original “Marvellous”. For what reason I am not sure, as Cossanteli lives in the UK, so she should write British English as far as I am concerned.
Fourth... This is indeed a “modern retelling”, and it’s basically all you need to know to avoid it. But... I will elaborate. There are multiple gender-swaps, quite a few name changes (Joe and Sylvia are now Pip and Flora), and dramatic plot changes.
The orphanage is now in the real world, not in the Land of the Snergs for some reason. They use portals to travel back and forth.
Mother Meldrum is now Widow Meldrum, and she’s not old anymore, she’s actually Miss Watkyns’s evil twin sister, who transforms people into frogs (yes, that’s not a cliché at all), dresses up as an old lady, and (watch out for this) Golithos is her biological son (?!?). She pops up at the beginning of the story, attempting to kidnap Flora (Sylvia) in a car (?!?).
Not to mention they made Baldry into a straight out villain, which, ironically, the author apologizes for in the Afterword, clearly aware of what she did.
Unlike in the original, nobody dies in the story this time. Golithos is redeemed and goes to live in the orphanage with the kids at the end (yes, a freaking immense troll) and Meldrum transforms into a bat and runs away.
The plot deviations are outright absurd and make no sense. I was disappointed beyond limits.
The only positive thing I can find with this book is that it’s easier to read by contemporary children, who grew up with tablets and smartphones, mostly because the vocabulary is simpler and their attention spans wouldn’t be able to cope with the original.
But in the end, it is something you should avoid, as it does a great injustice to the original. I have just read it because I paid for it by accident and I wanted to get my money’s worth, but had it not been for the false advertising, I shouldn’t have been here.
Avoid by all means if you are a fan of the original or if you intend to read the original.
1/5
October 25, 2025
I'm trying to enjoy this from the perspective of young me, and I think it's fine. But it is mostly adventure and word-play - I'm half done and I'm not feeling a lot of heart, nor re-readability (resonance).
---
Ok, done... and by the end there was indeed plenty of wonderful thoughtfulness. I'm relieved that I didn't give up.
But I'm not pleased with the illustrations. I feel that the author didn't get to vet them. The girl is described as having a "cloud of fair hair" and here her hair is shown in a straight long bob. And the children are never shown with the right clothing. This issue would have been beyond annoying when I was a child.
"... oo-k--uck.... The call of the discombobulated cuckoo."
"The Queen has trained pastry scribes to write her wishes and requests in beautifully joined-up royal icing."
"... hippopotamonstrous big words."
The Chief Inventor is a woman (!) who says "'It's physics. Physics always works - it's people who don't.'"
"'They are not the cruel [people] we thought them. All this time, we believed the stories.... Perhaps we should have come and found out the truth for ourselves.'"
"'Mothers don't always know best.... And you shouldn't always believe what you what you're told. Sometimes you need to find things out yourself.'"
"'I wanted to keep you safe. I thought that what you didn't know about... couldn't harm you. I was wrong. You can't keep things locked away and pretend they're not there. You must face up to them, with a brave heart.'"
---
Ok, done... and by the end there was indeed plenty of wonderful thoughtfulness. I'm relieved that I didn't give up.
But I'm not pleased with the illustrations. I feel that the author didn't get to vet them. The girl is described as having a "cloud of fair hair" and here her hair is shown in a straight long bob. And the children are never shown with the right clothing. This issue would have been beyond annoying when I was a child.
"... oo-k--uck.... The call of the discombobulated cuckoo."
"The Queen has trained pastry scribes to write her wishes and requests in beautifully joined-up royal icing."
"... hippopotamonstrous big words."
The Chief Inventor is a woman (!) who says "'It's physics. Physics always works - it's people who don't.'"
"'They are not the cruel [people] we thought them. All this time, we believed the stories.... Perhaps we should have come and found out the truth for ourselves.'"
"'Mothers don't always know best.... And you shouldn't always believe what you what you're told. Sometimes you need to find things out yourself.'"
"'I wanted to keep you safe. I thought that what you didn't know about... couldn't harm you. I was wrong. You can't keep things locked away and pretend they're not there. You must face up to them, with a brave heart.'"
January 31, 2021
Me ha parecido una historia muy divertida. Me gusta pensar que de aquí nacieron historias tan fantasticas como El Hobbit y creo que es un libro que pueden disfrutar lectores de todas las edades. Tiene ese aire de novela de aventuras y seres mágicos de antes pero con un estilo renovado. Es muy divertida y está llena de momentos disparatados.
Sin duda una gran lectura.
Sin duda una gran lectura.
September 2, 2026
Es mono, entretenido, me gustó, y de niña me habría flipado seguro
March 7, 2023
J'ai abandonné à la moitié, je ne suis franchement pas fan des histoires qui sont des suites de petites péripéties. Donc bof.
August 26, 2023
Elspeth rated this one 4 1/2 stars. We loved it! This was a hilarious, fun read!
October 13, 2021
La réécriture d'un roman de Fantasy plein de magie et d'humour paru dans les années 1920. De très très bonnes idées !
January 7, 2023
Charming little adventure story. I haven't read the original, but this one has a place on my shelf. I look forward to sharing with kids!
June 1, 2024
We listened to the audiobook read by Stephen Fry, and it was great. Akin to a fairy tale, full of whimsy and wit. We enjoyed it immensely.
August 27, 2024
Tot i ser una adaptació del conte original, sí que es veu que va influenciar molt a l’obra de Tolkien.
És un bon fons d’armari per a una biblioteca escolar de primària. La trama és ràpida i fàcil de llegir, n’hi ha força aventura i acció i humor. Inclús un bon missatge final.
Tot i això, personalment no m’ha acabat de fer el pes. L’he trobat una mica llarg i lent.
És un bon fons d’armari per a una biblioteca escolar de primària. La trama és ràpida i fàcil de llegir, n’hi ha força aventura i acció i humor. Inclús un bon missatge final.
Tot i això, personalment no m’ha acabat de fer el pes. L’he trobat una mica llarg i lent.
August 22, 2022
So cute ❣️🥰
November 2, 2022
Fun story to read aloud to the grandchildren.
November 23, 2022
This was a Goodreads giveaway winner. I liked the story.
November 20, 2023
A delightful little tale of friendship & magic ❤ it made me quite curious to read the original too.
April 12, 2024
This story is a wild trip of funky little dudes — only three stars because the embedded misogyny and sad ogre
April 26, 2024
An absolute delight!
August 9, 2024
Fun story. Excellent narrator!
July 22, 2026
Suave, cálido, ligeramente divertido
January 29, 2026
Delicious. Delightful read aloud for my kids and me. We loved every bit of it. Silly words and characters kept us guessing. Highly recommend to anyone with kids (or a kid at heart).
December 21, 2021
Du pur jeunesse, j'ai beaucoup aimé me plonger dans cette histoire, un moment d'évasion garantie.
Cette histoire a inspiré JRR Tolkien pour le Hobbit.
Cette histoire a inspiré JRR Tolkien pour le Hobbit.
February 27, 2024
I don't like to be lied to and the relationship between myself and The Marvelous Land of Snergs began with a lie. Boldly across the top of the cover it proclaims "the story that inspired the Hobbit." Further down the cover the lie changes and the story becomes "based on." I should have stopped right there but on the back is a quote from Tolkien saying how much he enjoyed it. Hogwash!
I tentatively opened the cover and began. While it is a good children's book that reads very easily and quickly I don't know who I'd recommend it to.
The characters go from one emergency to another with no time to enjoy the scenery. There were friendships, adventures, magic and fun but it all felt rushed.
I'd say that this would be a good read out loud for a preschool child. Even though the book is nearly 400 pages, there's no fluff to distract the audience.
The best thing about the Snergs is that it has pushed me to search out the original story to read to my children.
I tentatively opened the cover and began. While it is a good children's book that reads very easily and quickly I don't know who I'd recommend it to.
The characters go from one emergency to another with no time to enjoy the scenery. There were friendships, adventures, magic and fun but it all felt rushed.
I'd say that this would be a good read out loud for a preschool child. Even though the book is nearly 400 pages, there's no fluff to distract the audience.
The best thing about the Snergs is that it has pushed me to search out the original story to read to my children.
July 17, 2021
Cuando mi madre se enteró de que Tolkien se basó en los Snergs para crear a los Hobbits le faltó tiempo para regalarmelo, y es que no fue hasta que ella me lo dio cuando supe de la existencia de este libro.
A pesar de ser una historia infantil la he disfrutado muchísimo (no solo por lo bonita que es la edición) sino también porque es una fantasía muy pura, y que además menciona temas que creo que son importantes que enseñar a los niños.
Aunque me hayan gustado todos los protagonistas, Gorbo es el que más me ha hecho disfrutar y del que más me acordaré.
Sin duda creo que es una muy buena historia que releer de vez en cuando (sobre todo para adquirir inspiración a la hora de escribir).
A pesar de ser una historia infantil la he disfrutado muchísimo (no solo por lo bonita que es la edición) sino también porque es una fantasía muy pura, y que además menciona temas que creo que son importantes que enseñar a los niños.
Aunque me hayan gustado todos los protagonistas, Gorbo es el que más me ha hecho disfrutar y del que más me acordaré.
Sin duda creo que es una muy buena historia que releer de vez en cuando (sobre todo para adquirir inspiración a la hora de escribir).
March 2, 2021
Reseña: https://www.fabulantes.com/2021/03/el...
"(...) Estas pocas frases son suficientes para que pensemos en los hobbits, esas maravillosas criaturas creadas por J. R. R. Tolkien en 1937. En común tienen la baja estatura, el carácter alegre y amable, la propensión por las canciones y las fiestas y el maravilloso lugar en el que viven. Las similitudes entre estas criaturas no son una casualidad, de hecho parece ser que Tolkien conocía a fondo la obra de Edward Wyke-Smith y que se la leía a sus hijos antes de acostarse".
"(...) Estas pocas frases son suficientes para que pensemos en los hobbits, esas maravillosas criaturas creadas por J. R. R. Tolkien en 1937. En común tienen la baja estatura, el carácter alegre y amable, la propensión por las canciones y las fiestas y el maravilloso lugar en el que viven. Las similitudes entre estas criaturas no son una casualidad, de hecho parece ser que Tolkien conocía a fondo la obra de Edward Wyke-Smith y que se la leía a sus hijos antes de acostarse".
April 7, 2021
Esta edición de 2020 de la editorial La Galera, inteligentemente escrita por Verónica Cossanteli e ilustrada por Melissa Castrillón se trata de una versión basada en la novela original del mismo título de E.A. Wyke-Smith publicada en 1927. Desconozco la versión original así que no sé si las modificaciones sobre la trama original han sido o no considerables. Lo que sí puedo decir es que la presente edición es una maravilla. La portada con letras doradas brillantes es preciosa y las ilustraciones son muy tiernas.
Este clásico de la literatura juvenil también puede enamorar a los adultos. Se trata de un libro entrañable lleno de fantasía y aventuras. Si te estás preguntando qué demonios es un snerg te diré que es fácil reconocer a un snerg cuando te encuentras con él, Gorbo te lo explicaría así: "somos tan altos como es debido y casi siempre estamos alegres. Salvo cuando tenemos hambre".
Efectivamente los snerg son pequeños hombrecillos bajitos (aunque como afirma Gorbo en realidad son tan altos como es debido y son los humanos los que son unos fideos), además son glotones, afables y bondadosos.
Otra cosa que debes saber sobre ellos es que pagan las compras con relatos y cuentos, y mandan invitaciones escritas en bizcochos.
Tal vez estas características os resulten familiares; los snergs inspiraron a los Hobbits de JRR Tolkien, quien se declara gran admirador: "...cómo nos gusta, a mis hijos y a mí, El maravilloso país de los snergs... Y también Gorbo, la perla de los zoquetes, una joya de acompañante de aventuras".
En este libro además de snerg podrás encontrar picotudos, brujas, ogros, kelps, osos que huelen a canela, sapos encantados... ¿Te crees muy sensato para creer en esas cosas? La señorita Watkyns diría: "Es la gente sensata la que sí cree en esas historias. Podemos fingir que no es así para que lo mundo nos parezca un lugar más seguro. Pero dentro de nuestros corazones sabemos que es verdad..." Y añadiría: "Hay más cosas en el cielo y la tierra de las que usted y yo estamos dispuestos a admitir. Posibles e imposibles, reales e imaginarias. Elegimos pensar que hay una línea que las separa, pero esa línea se puede borrar. Los niños llegan al mundo sabiendo todo eso. Quizá deberíamos dejar de intentar enseñarles que se equivocan".
Este libro trata también de dos pequeños huérfanos, de los estilos parentales perniciosos a los que se ven expuestos, del maltrato infantil en todas sus formas (maltrato psicológico: desde la indiferencia, la negligencia y la falta de disponibilidad emocional, hasta degradar, aterrorizar... del abuso verbal, de los cuidadores que no creen en ti ni te proporcionan una relación de apego segura para explorar el mundo... Pero también versa sobre la resiliencia y la redención, de recuperar tu propia voz y encontrar tu camino). En las sabias palabras de Flora: "Los padres no deberían comportarse de manera desagradable con los hijos... Si es que desean que crezcan bien. Es difícil que los adultos sean buenos y encantadores y listos cuando la gente que debería actuar con sensatez ha hecho que por dentro sientan que son lo opuesto."
En este libro aprenderás que "los padres no siempre saben lo que les conviene a sus hijos", que "no deberías creerte todo lo que te dicen sino descubrir las cosas por ti mismo", y "no creerte las cosas que cuentan sobre otros" sin comprobarlo, que "todos podemos cambiar", que "nunca, nunca, nunca, hay que dar a un niño por perdido"... Que no debemos pensar que aquello que no conoces o aquello que no crees no puede hacerte daño, que no puedes mantener las cosas encerradas y hacer como que no están ahí, que "debemos enfrentarnos a ellas con el corazón lleno de valor"... Y que "nadie nace para ser bueno por completo, ni malo del todo. En cada corazón hay más de una cara. Lo que importa es la cara que dejes que te gobierne".
Te aseguro que además de haber aprendido todo eso y haberte emocionado y divertido, acabarás el libro canturreando alegre el himno de los snergs:
"Qué extraordinario es ser un snerg,
en esta tierra maravillosa.
¡Bajitos de altura pero anchos de corazón,
son una banda de lo más bulliciosa!
Bajo la luna o el sol su fiesta propagan
y ésta no se detiene hasta que el puding se acaba".
Este clásico de la literatura juvenil también puede enamorar a los adultos. Se trata de un libro entrañable lleno de fantasía y aventuras. Si te estás preguntando qué demonios es un snerg te diré que es fácil reconocer a un snerg cuando te encuentras con él, Gorbo te lo explicaría así: "somos tan altos como es debido y casi siempre estamos alegres. Salvo cuando tenemos hambre".
Efectivamente los snerg son pequeños hombrecillos bajitos (aunque como afirma Gorbo en realidad son tan altos como es debido y son los humanos los que son unos fideos), además son glotones, afables y bondadosos.
Otra cosa que debes saber sobre ellos es que pagan las compras con relatos y cuentos, y mandan invitaciones escritas en bizcochos.
Tal vez estas características os resulten familiares; los snergs inspiraron a los Hobbits de JRR Tolkien, quien se declara gran admirador: "...cómo nos gusta, a mis hijos y a mí, El maravilloso país de los snergs... Y también Gorbo, la perla de los zoquetes, una joya de acompañante de aventuras".
En este libro además de snerg podrás encontrar picotudos, brujas, ogros, kelps, osos que huelen a canela, sapos encantados... ¿Te crees muy sensato para creer en esas cosas? La señorita Watkyns diría: "Es la gente sensata la que sí cree en esas historias. Podemos fingir que no es así para que lo mundo nos parezca un lugar más seguro. Pero dentro de nuestros corazones sabemos que es verdad..." Y añadiría: "Hay más cosas en el cielo y la tierra de las que usted y yo estamos dispuestos a admitir. Posibles e imposibles, reales e imaginarias. Elegimos pensar que hay una línea que las separa, pero esa línea se puede borrar. Los niños llegan al mundo sabiendo todo eso. Quizá deberíamos dejar de intentar enseñarles que se equivocan".
Este libro trata también de dos pequeños huérfanos, de los estilos parentales perniciosos a los que se ven expuestos, del maltrato infantil en todas sus formas (maltrato psicológico: desde la indiferencia, la negligencia y la falta de disponibilidad emocional, hasta degradar, aterrorizar... del abuso verbal, de los cuidadores que no creen en ti ni te proporcionan una relación de apego segura para explorar el mundo... Pero también versa sobre la resiliencia y la redención, de recuperar tu propia voz y encontrar tu camino). En las sabias palabras de Flora: "Los padres no deberían comportarse de manera desagradable con los hijos... Si es que desean que crezcan bien. Es difícil que los adultos sean buenos y encantadores y listos cuando la gente que debería actuar con sensatez ha hecho que por dentro sientan que son lo opuesto."
En este libro aprenderás que "los padres no siempre saben lo que les conviene a sus hijos", que "no deberías creerte todo lo que te dicen sino descubrir las cosas por ti mismo", y "no creerte las cosas que cuentan sobre otros" sin comprobarlo, que "todos podemos cambiar", que "nunca, nunca, nunca, hay que dar a un niño por perdido"... Que no debemos pensar que aquello que no conoces o aquello que no crees no puede hacerte daño, que no puedes mantener las cosas encerradas y hacer como que no están ahí, que "debemos enfrentarnos a ellas con el corazón lleno de valor"... Y que "nadie nace para ser bueno por completo, ni malo del todo. En cada corazón hay más de una cara. Lo que importa es la cara que dejes que te gobierne".
Te aseguro que además de haber aprendido todo eso y haberte emocionado y divertido, acabarás el libro canturreando alegre el himno de los snergs:
"Qué extraordinario es ser un snerg,
en esta tierra maravillosa.
¡Bajitos de altura pero anchos de corazón,
son una banda de lo más bulliciosa!
Bajo la luna o el sol su fiesta propagan
y ésta no se detiene hasta que el puding se acaba".
February 8, 2023
The original The Marvelous Land of Snergs, written by E.A. Wyke-Smith, was the favorite story of the children of J.R.R. Tolkien, read to them by him. I love that.
I wish I had read the original version of The Marvelous Land of Snergs, especially since we have a 60 year old copy, before I read Veronica Cossanteli's adaptation. In reading the 'Questions for the Author', she admits it was "an unnerving business, writing with ghosts at your shoulder."
I imagine so, especially as she claims
What I most like about The Marvelous Land of Snergs is that it reminds me of the long ago original tales. Unlike the fantasy Disney versions, many of the original fables are based on dark folklore stories chock full of cautionary tales and scary, horrible legends.
I have one son who collects lesser known Tolkien books, and another who collects those old 'fairy tale' books. While he said he'd never read them to his kids as young children, he finds value in them they will appreciate, as he does, when they're older. And because their just plain cool.
This version of The Marvelous Land of Snergs is not quite one of those though. It has some scary bits: creatures, witches, and Kings who want to hang Snergs over vats of voracious caterpillars to nibble on their toes, all wrapped in humor and adventure.
The magical creatures are fun and creepy. I love the crocopotomus.
The letter from Gorbo to readers is absolutely charming, the most charming than I found him in the story, The Marvelous Land of Snergs.
4 Stars for The Marvelous Land of Snergs. Bravo for the courage of the author.
I wish I had read the original version of The Marvelous Land of Snergs, especially since we have a 60 year old copy, before I read Veronica Cossanteli's adaptation. In reading the 'Questions for the Author', she admits it was "an unnerving business, writing with ghosts at your shoulder."
I imagine so, especially as she claims
"Today’s readers (or do I mean today’s editors?) expect a faster pace and higher stakes than they did in 1927, when plots were allowed to meander along, going nowhere in particular."I disagree with her. I don’t think readers expect it, I think they’ve become conditioned TO it with video games, quickly resolved television and movie plots, graphic novels and horribly adapted movies based on wonderful books. Some books need to wander, as fantasy books often do, as this one sometimes does. It’s the readers who can no longer sit still to enjoy the simplicity of the wandering, where the imagination is freed and smiles erupt.
What I most like about The Marvelous Land of Snergs is that it reminds me of the long ago original tales. Unlike the fantasy Disney versions, many of the original fables are based on dark folklore stories chock full of cautionary tales and scary, horrible legends.
I have one son who collects lesser known Tolkien books, and another who collects those old 'fairy tale' books. While he said he'd never read them to his kids as young children, he finds value in them they will appreciate, as he does, when they're older. And because their just plain cool.
This version of The Marvelous Land of Snergs is not quite one of those though. It has some scary bits: creatures, witches, and Kings who want to hang Snergs over vats of voracious caterpillars to nibble on their toes, all wrapped in humor and adventure.
The magical creatures are fun and creepy. I love the crocopotomus.
The letter from Gorbo to readers is absolutely charming, the most charming than I found him in the story, The Marvelous Land of Snergs.
4 Stars for The Marvelous Land of Snergs. Bravo for the courage of the author.
January 28, 2023
Poor little Gorbo has always been told that he is a mess, a joke, and good for getting into trouble. Flora and Pip end up on an accidental adventure after running an errand for the Headmistress Ms. Watkyn's at the Sunny Bay Home for Superflous and Accidentally Parentless Children. How do you think they encounter and who saves the day? Gorbo the Great, as I will always call him.
The Marvelous Land of Snergs in its original form written by E.A.Wyke-Smith is the inspiration for the Hobbit, and I can see where Bilbo Baggins and Gorbo in this edition seem perfect as cousins. Both are not the bravest, but end up doing the things they need to do to foster an inspiration of bravery in others. They might not be the most coordinated of creatures, but, they are cleaver when the messes they encounter stare them straight in the face. However, I believe that Gorbo is much more endearing and in his innocent way wiser than Bilbo Baggins could ever be.
I received an advanced reader's copy with a little jotted note from a member of the Europa Editions team where she stated that "Gorbo is a wonderful friend to have." and I completely agree with her. We should all have friends like him.
This book is a fun read for your kids as a bedtime story, or in my case a great read to my grand littles. The illustrations are fun, like an Anna Bond wallpaper, or stationary from Rifle Papers and my grand littles thought that the characters in the section descriptions where the illustrations live looked like animals and people they would like to have as friends.
This book for children and middle-grade readers is perfect for teaching the perception of others looking, speaking differently is not bad because someone they don't look like you, act like you, or live the same but is what makes us all unique. It also teaches how to overcome fear, make new friends, listen to your elders, and stick up for yourself in times of hesitation.
The Marvelous Land of Snergs in its original form written by E.A.Wyke-Smith is the inspiration for the Hobbit, and I can see where Bilbo Baggins and Gorbo in this edition seem perfect as cousins. Both are not the bravest, but end up doing the things they need to do to foster an inspiration of bravery in others. They might not be the most coordinated of creatures, but, they are cleaver when the messes they encounter stare them straight in the face. However, I believe that Gorbo is much more endearing and in his innocent way wiser than Bilbo Baggins could ever be.
I received an advanced reader's copy with a little jotted note from a member of the Europa Editions team where she stated that "Gorbo is a wonderful friend to have." and I completely agree with her. We should all have friends like him.
This book is a fun read for your kids as a bedtime story, or in my case a great read to my grand littles. The illustrations are fun, like an Anna Bond wallpaper, or stationary from Rifle Papers and my grand littles thought that the characters in the section descriptions where the illustrations live looked like animals and people they would like to have as friends.
This book for children and middle-grade readers is perfect for teaching the perception of others looking, speaking differently is not bad because someone they don't look like you, act like you, or live the same but is what makes us all unique. It also teaches how to overcome fear, make new friends, listen to your elders, and stick up for yourself in times of hesitation.
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