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Mary Poppins #2
Mary Poppins Comes Back
Pulled down from the clouds at the end of a kite string, Mary Poppins is here again to take the Banks children in hand, leading them from one head-spinning adventure to another.
In Mary's care, the children meet the King of the Castle and the Dirty Rascal, visit the upside-down world of Mr. Turvy and his bride, Miss Topsy, and spend a breathless afternoon above the park, dangling from a clutch of baloons. Amazing? Perhaps. But even the most ordinary day is amazing when the extraordinary Mary Poppins is around.
In Mary's care, the children meet the King of the Castle and the Dirty Rascal, visit the upside-down world of Mr. Turvy and his bride, Miss Topsy, and spend a breathless afternoon above the park, dangling from a clutch of baloons. Amazing? Perhaps. But even the most ordinary day is amazing when the extraordinary Mary Poppins is around.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1935
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9906 people want to read
About the author
P.L. Travers
92 books732 followersPamela Lyndon Travers was an Australian novelist, actress and journalist, popularly remembered for her series of children's novels about mystical nanny Mary Poppins.
She was born to bank manager Travers Robert Goff and Margaret Agnes. Her father died when she was seven, and although "epileptic seizure delirium" was given as the cause of death, Travers herself "always believed the underlying cause was sustained, heavy drinking".
Travers began to publish her poems while still a teenager and wrote for The Bulletin and Triad while also gaining a reputation as an actress. She toured Australia and New Zealand with a Shakespearean touring company before leaving for England in 1924. There she dedicated herself to writing under the pen name P. L. Travers.
In 1925 while in Ireland, Travers met the poet George William Russell who, as editor of The Irish Statesman, accepted some of her poems for publication. Through Russell, Travers met William Butler Yeats and other Irish poets who fostered her interest in and knowledge of world mythology. Later, the mystic Gurdjieff would have a great effect on her, as would also have on several other literary figures.
The 1934 publication of Mary Poppins was Travers' first literary success.Five sequels followed, as well as a collection of other novels, poetry collections and works of non-fiction.
The Disney musical adaptation was released in 1964. Primarily based on the first novel in what was then a sequence of four books, it also lifted elements from the sequel Mary Poppins Comes Back. Although Travers was an adviser to the production she disapproved of the dilution of the harsher aspects of Mary Poppins's character, felt ambivalent about the music and disliked the use of animation to such an extent that she ruled out any further adaptations of the later Mary Poppins novels. At the film's star-studded premiere, she reportedly approached Disney and told him that the animated sequence had to go. Disney responded by saying "Pamela, the ship has sailed." and walked away. Travers would never again agree to another Poppins/Disney adaptation, though Disney made several attempts to persuade her to change her mind.
So fervent was Travers' dislike of the Walt Disney adaptation and the way she felt she had been treated during the production, that well into her 90s, when she was approached by producer Cameron Mackintosh to do the stage musical, she only acquiesced upon the condition that only English born writers (and specifically no Americans) and no one from the film production were to be directly involved with the creative process of the stage musical. This specifically excluded the Sherman Brothers from writing additional songs for the production even though they were still very prolific. Original songs and other aspects from the 1964 film were allowed to be incorporated into the production however. These points were stipulated in her last will and testament.
Travers was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1977. She died in London in 1996.
Although Travers never married, she adopted a boy when she was in her late 30s.
She was born to bank manager Travers Robert Goff and Margaret Agnes. Her father died when she was seven, and although "epileptic seizure delirium" was given as the cause of death, Travers herself "always believed the underlying cause was sustained, heavy drinking".
Travers began to publish her poems while still a teenager and wrote for The Bulletin and Triad while also gaining a reputation as an actress. She toured Australia and New Zealand with a Shakespearean touring company before leaving for England in 1924. There she dedicated herself to writing under the pen name P. L. Travers.
In 1925 while in Ireland, Travers met the poet George William Russell who, as editor of The Irish Statesman, accepted some of her poems for publication. Through Russell, Travers met William Butler Yeats and other Irish poets who fostered her interest in and knowledge of world mythology. Later, the mystic Gurdjieff would have a great effect on her, as would also have on several other literary figures.
The 1934 publication of Mary Poppins was Travers' first literary success.Five sequels followed, as well as a collection of other novels, poetry collections and works of non-fiction.
The Disney musical adaptation was released in 1964. Primarily based on the first novel in what was then a sequence of four books, it also lifted elements from the sequel Mary Poppins Comes Back. Although Travers was an adviser to the production she disapproved of the dilution of the harsher aspects of Mary Poppins's character, felt ambivalent about the music and disliked the use of animation to such an extent that she ruled out any further adaptations of the later Mary Poppins novels. At the film's star-studded premiere, she reportedly approached Disney and told him that the animated sequence had to go. Disney responded by saying "Pamela, the ship has sailed." and walked away. Travers would never again agree to another Poppins/Disney adaptation, though Disney made several attempts to persuade her to change her mind.
So fervent was Travers' dislike of the Walt Disney adaptation and the way she felt she had been treated during the production, that well into her 90s, when she was approached by producer Cameron Mackintosh to do the stage musical, she only acquiesced upon the condition that only English born writers (and specifically no Americans) and no one from the film production were to be directly involved with the creative process of the stage musical. This specifically excluded the Sherman Brothers from writing additional songs for the production even though they were still very prolific. Original songs and other aspects from the 1964 film were allowed to be incorporated into the production however. These points were stipulated in her last will and testament.
Travers was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1977. She died in London in 1996.
Although Travers never married, she adopted a boy when she was in her late 30s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 801 reviews
March 13, 2018
It's hard to review books you really love. We loved this story, we loved the characters and the ideas. We all know Mary Poppins was stern, no-nonsense and doesn't explain anything but a downside for me was that I did feel very sad for the children who rarely see their parents and they know that their replacement parent, Mary Poppins may disappear at any moment. I found the part where Annabel was born and instantly handed over to Mary Poppins heartbraking, but an honest portrayal of the time.
But there are too many good parts to mention, Bad Wednesday is my favourite chapter, an adventure involving a Royal Doulton bowl. This part was so magical and eerie and left you with a feeling of not knowing what on earth just happened.
There is a scene where Mary discovers a Lark kept as a pet by Mr Banks old Nanny who is so horrible you can instantly see why Mr Banks is the way he is. We loved the way the children hear Mary Poppins side of the conversation with the lark so you can work out what the bird is saying. We loved the fact that Mary Poppins is disgusted by a bird being put in a cage and
I especially loved the part about Annabel, the youngest child's first week of life, they way she could remember the time before she was born but how she would lose this memory within a week. I so enjoyed hearing her thoughts, those parts were very special and philosophical, particularly p.110 if you have this copy.
There is so much else to mention, a visit to the constellations, a meeting with a descendent of Noah bringing spring, a carousel and conversation sweets, a wonderful, magical book.
But there are too many good parts to mention, Bad Wednesday is my favourite chapter, an adventure involving a Royal Doulton bowl. This part was so magical and eerie and left you with a feeling of not knowing what on earth just happened.
There is a scene where Mary discovers a Lark kept as a pet by Mr Banks old Nanny who is so horrible you can instantly see why Mr Banks is the way he is. We loved the way the children hear Mary Poppins side of the conversation with the lark so you can work out what the bird is saying. We loved the fact that Mary Poppins is disgusted by a bird being put in a cage and
I especially loved the part about Annabel, the youngest child's first week of life, they way she could remember the time before she was born but how she would lose this memory within a week. I so enjoyed hearing her thoughts, those parts were very special and philosophical, particularly p.110 if you have this copy.
There is so much else to mention, a visit to the constellations, a meeting with a descendent of Noah bringing spring, a carousel and conversation sweets, a wonderful, magical book.
July 8, 2015
P.L. Travers famously loathed the 1964 film Mary Poppins — so much so that her will stipulates that a sequel can never be filmed. No wonder I and so many others never realized quite how many books there are in this series.
In Mary Poppins Comes Back, the legendary nanny reappears from the sky with as much notice as she gave when she vanished at the end of the very first book: none. The Banks family, at sixes and sevens without her, welcome her return — particularly the children: Jane, Michael and the toddler twins Barbara and John. In this book, first released in 1935, Mary Poppins rules the household even more imperiously than in the first, if that’s possible. But, as always, Miss Poppins brings magic and good sense wherever she goes.
Some of the characters from the first novel reappear as well — Admiral Boom, the prissy Miss Lark and her dogs, Mrs. Corry and her giant daughters, and Bert the Match Man — but quite a few new ones emerge, too. Some of the adventures are a bit repetitive (e.g., cousin Arthur Turvy bears too much of a resemblance to the uncle, Mr. Wigg ) and chapter on the introduction of spring falls flat; however, some of the tales are a bit darker than you’d find in today’s children’s fare, and most of the tales are reasonably funny. Chapters on Mr. Banks’ harridan of an ex-nanny, on a celestial circus, and on the Dirty Rascal prove particularly satisfying.
While not quite in the same league as the 1934 debut Mary Poppins book, adults and children alike will still love the sequel.
In Mary Poppins Comes Back, the legendary nanny reappears from the sky with as much notice as she gave when she vanished at the end of the very first book: none. The Banks family, at sixes and sevens without her, welcome her return — particularly the children: Jane, Michael and the toddler twins Barbara and John. In this book, first released in 1935, Mary Poppins rules the household even more imperiously than in the first, if that’s possible. But, as always, Miss Poppins brings magic and good sense wherever she goes.
Some of the characters from the first novel reappear as well — Admiral Boom, the prissy Miss Lark and her dogs, Mrs. Corry and her giant daughters, and Bert the Match Man — but quite a few new ones emerge, too. Some of the adventures are a bit repetitive (e.g., cousin Arthur Turvy bears too much of a resemblance to the uncle, Mr. Wigg ) and chapter on the introduction of spring falls flat; however, some of the tales are a bit darker than you’d find in today’s children’s fare, and most of the tales are reasonably funny. Chapters on Mr. Banks’ harridan of an ex-nanny, on a celestial circus, and on the Dirty Rascal prove particularly satisfying.
While not quite in the same league as the 1934 debut Mary Poppins book, adults and children alike will still love the sequel.
January 30, 2021
I guess the biggest surprise, for me, was to find out that at least the first two books are about the Banks children - not different generations, but the same Banks children! This has advantages and disadvantages.
Ever since Mary Poppins has left at the end of the previous book, things haven't gone well for the Bank family. So imagine their delight when the most famous nanny in the world comes back!
Why has she come back? Oh, she never explains anything, of course, but it might have something to do with one of the very first new people we meet:the Holy Terror Miss Andrew, Mr. Banks' former governess (which explains A LOT).
However, there is more, of course. The Royal Doulton Bowl and how it gets fixed, amongst other things, for which I was very grateful. Along the way, we never get any explanation but lots of wonderful magic and very funny events.
I must say that while I was quite entertained once again and while the writing style is still wonderful, this was so vastly different from the movie that I was rather shocked. *lol* This is a more innocent story for children while the movie was cleverly updated and took place in a different time period, making it possible to add more socio-political undertones. I love both the book(s) and the movie(s), but I must honestly say that I like the movie(s) just a little bit better. Yep. I just said that.
One of the reasons why I actually prefer the movie(s) is their way of showing the impact, of just how dearly Mary Poppins was needed to bring together a family and keep it safe.
The most important aspect of the books is to preserve the children's creativity and imagination. In and of itself very important but lacking that little extra conflict the movies offered.
Still, these ARE classics for a reason and I hope the books will not be forgotten (especially the later ones) but will still be read to future generations. I have a feeling we need Mary more than ever.
Ever since Mary Poppins has left at the end of the previous book, things haven't gone well for the Bank family. So imagine their delight when the most famous nanny in the world comes back!
Why has she come back? Oh, she never explains anything, of course, but it might have something to do with one of the very first new people we meet:
However, there is more, of course. The Royal Doulton Bowl and how it gets fixed, amongst other things, for which I was very grateful. Along the way, we never get any explanation but lots of wonderful magic and very funny events.
I must say that while I was quite entertained once again and while the writing style is still wonderful, this was so vastly different from the movie that I was rather shocked. *lol* This is a more innocent story for children while the movie was cleverly updated and took place in a different time period, making it possible to add more socio-political undertones. I love both the book(s) and the movie(s), but I must honestly say that I like the movie(s) just a little bit better. Yep. I just said that.
One of the reasons why I actually prefer the movie(s) is their way of showing the impact, of just how dearly Mary Poppins was needed to bring together a family and keep it safe.
The most important aspect of the books is to preserve the children's creativity and imagination. In and of itself very important but lacking that little extra conflict the movies offered.
Still, these ARE classics for a reason and I hope the books will not be forgotten (especially the later ones) but will still be read to future generations. I have a feeling we need Mary more than ever.
June 16, 2015
This book has more or less the same pros and cons as the first, but I was a little more vexed by them this time because it was a second book's worth of them. In fact, I think my first review might have been colored a little by having read this one too, since I wrote it after reading both. Some of that indignation probably belongs here. I wanted to believe that the sequel would be more pleasant, but not so. In any case, this is another random string of adventures involving Mary Poppins and the Banks household. The children are still charming (including the new addition of Annabel), the parents are still useless and blithering, there are even hints that certain members of the staff are also somehow magical or something, and Mary Poppins is still cross and priggish and mean and glaring. If there were just the slightest hint that she actually cared about these children, I might be able to get on board, but she's just so unpleasant. I don't think the kids need to be coddled by their nanny, but they're practically mistreated. There are hints that Mary Poppins can be a wonderful, charming person (dancing in the stars, upside-down tea parties, though never in relation to the kids), but then they're squashed when she immediately turns on anyone who dares intimate that anything extraordinary could possibly have happened, despite the hints that inevitably turn up on the last page of every chapter. The magic is still kind of fun to read in parts, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it (like, who IS Mary Poppins? WHAT is she?), though it's not too hard to just go with that element at least and realize that magic doesn't always have to be explained. We see a couple more glimpses of elements used in the movie and stage musical in this book, including the fearsome Miss Andrew, the former nanny of Mr. Banks. Her presence would be a lot more formidable if Mary Poppins provided more of a contrast, but instead she's just another brand of unpleasant, and Mary Poppins only dismisses her (in the way only Mary Poppins can) because Miss Andrew offends her. Oh, horror!!! Never mind the horrible things she says to the kids or Mrs. Banks. Also, I don't really understand why or how, but there are quite a few pretty inexcusable typos I noticed in this one... The illustrations are still fun-the one of Miss Andrews is inspired.
In the end, more of the same, really. The very ending kind of won me back over, enough to at least pick up the third in the series, but I'm not holding my breath for Mary Poppins to pull out any spoonfuls of sugar any time soon.
In the end, more of the same, really. The very ending kind of won me back over, enough to at least pick up the third in the series, but I'm not holding my breath for Mary Poppins to pull out any spoonfuls of sugar any time soon.
April 15, 2018
This book is between a 4.25 and 4.5 rating for me. Oddly enough I enjoyed this sequel more than the first book. When I read the first book I had no idea what to expect and was really surprised by what I read though I still enjoyed it. This time I was more familiar with Travers’s version of Mary Poppins and was able to just enjoy the stories like children-at-heart are supposed to. I plan on reading the third book soon.
January 12, 2023
(Re)read this childhood favourite with my son.
Glad to say that he enjoyed it as much as I did when I was a kid and gave his rating as 5 stars. :)
Seeing the wonder on his face as he depicted the magical events happening to the Banks children is worth all stars to me. ♡
Glad to say that he enjoyed it as much as I did when I was a kid and gave his rating as 5 stars. :)
Seeing the wonder on his face as he depicted the magical events happening to the Banks children is worth all stars to me. ♡
April 30, 2025
3.75 Más ingenioso y mágico que el primero. Grandes aventuras viven los niños Banks con esta niñera tan peculiar. Definitivamente vale mucho la pena a cualquier edad que se lea.
June 22, 2020
📚 Hello Book Friends! I just finished the second book in the Mary Poppins series by P.L Travers, entitled Mary Poppins Comes Back. The original Mary Poppins movie starring Julie Andrews has always been one of my favourite movies. In my head, Ms. Andrews’ voice is Mary Poppins’ voice. As I was writing this book, I tried to read it in this voice, but it was not working. The Mary Poppins in this book is different. She is stricter, more sarcastic, and sometimes plain mean. Despite that, the story is all you can expect from a Mary Poppins’ book with flying kites, jumping into pictures, and many more fantastic adventures and characters. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
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April 16, 2019
2,75 🌟
Terminado y me ha transmitido sensaciones muy similares al primero. Mary Poppins sigue siendo algo insoportable, pero se puede decir que es un libro entretenido y con aventuras curiosas e imposibles, que hacen que la imaginación se ponga a trabajar mientras lees. Al personaje de Michael le he cogido especial cariño.
Le he dado más puntuación que al primero porque me han gustado algo más los mensajes de los distintos capítulos. Aun así, no se lleva las tres estrellas por lo mismo que el anterior, me ha parecido algo vacío en contenido y me quedo con la actual película que se apoya en varias de las aventuras aquí vividas, aunque en su mayoría la trama es diferente, pero aprecio ese trasfondo superior y que deja un buen sabor de boca, algo que he echado mucho de menos en este y en el anterior libro.
Terminado y me ha transmitido sensaciones muy similares al primero. Mary Poppins sigue siendo algo insoportable, pero se puede decir que es un libro entretenido y con aventuras curiosas e imposibles, que hacen que la imaginación se ponga a trabajar mientras lees. Al personaje de Michael le he cogido especial cariño.
Le he dado más puntuación que al primero porque me han gustado algo más los mensajes de los distintos capítulos. Aun así, no se lleva las tres estrellas por lo mismo que el anterior, me ha parecido algo vacío en contenido y me quedo con la actual película que se apoya en varias de las aventuras aquí vividas, aunque en su mayoría la trama es diferente, pero aprecio ese trasfondo superior y que deja un buen sabor de boca, algo que he echado mucho de menos en este y en el anterior libro.
December 31, 2013
Had the collection of all the Mary Poppins stories as a child and read them many times. Rereading them now is going back in time.
In Mary Poppins Comes Back she does—come back—as unexpectedly and unapologetically as she left at the end of Mary Poppins. And somehow she gets away with it, just leaving and coming back at will, to her job as the Bank’s children’s governess. She finds it open to her when she arrives, and steps back into place as if she never left, welcomed as the only one who can restore order. Part of you wants to be annoyed with her moxie, but another part (your greater self) prefers to admire her ... waiting to see what she will do next, especially to stand in wonder of what's coming next. For surely something amazing's about to begin!
And amazing adventures happen over and over to Jane, Michael and the twins, John and Barbara. The author, P.L. Travers, knew what appealed to children of my generation. Although the books may seem strange (tame?) to children today who are used to so much more action, for those who long for less and like things at a slower pace, these books are a treat.
They remind me of old-fashioned ballads with numerous verses which are fun to sit around a camp or a log-fire and enjoy. Somewhat repetitious and nostalgic but restful, sweet, and homey for being so.
In Mary Poppins Comes Back she does—come back—as unexpectedly and unapologetically as she left at the end of Mary Poppins. And somehow she gets away with it, just leaving and coming back at will, to her job as the Bank’s children’s governess. She finds it open to her when she arrives, and steps back into place as if she never left, welcomed as the only one who can restore order. Part of you wants to be annoyed with her moxie, but another part (your greater self) prefers to admire her ... waiting to see what she will do next, especially to stand in wonder of what's coming next. For surely something amazing's about to begin!
And amazing adventures happen over and over to Jane, Michael and the twins, John and Barbara. The author, P.L. Travers, knew what appealed to children of my generation. Although the books may seem strange (tame?) to children today who are used to so much more action, for those who long for less and like things at a slower pace, these books are a treat.
They remind me of old-fashioned ballads with numerous verses which are fun to sit around a camp or a log-fire and enjoy. Somewhat repetitious and nostalgic but restful, sweet, and homey for being so.
July 3, 2019
Still working but not sure how much longer the series could continue to be this enjoyable. There are some repetitive elements, Poppins staring at herself in mirrors, or denying that anything magical has happened. Also some of the plot outlines are similar but these are all minor things in the grand scheme. For now still charming.
In my review of the first book i compared Poppins to the Discworlds' Granny Weatherwax but at this point she reminds me of Doctor Who, especially the early versions of the doctor.
During the read i was wondering if the Mary Poppins stories count as magical realism but i then needed to define that term so i came up with this: "Magical Realism is when a story has magical (ie non-scientific) elements, said elements being neither Consistent nor Persistent".
I concluded Poppins was inconsistent enough but failed the second criteria because Mary and the magic around her was too Persistent. Anyway, sidebar over.
Overall still delightfully weird enough for me to continue the series.
In my review of the first book i compared Poppins to the Discworlds' Granny Weatherwax but at this point she reminds me of Doctor Who, especially the early versions of the doctor.
During the read i was wondering if the Mary Poppins stories count as magical realism but i then needed to define that term so i came up with this: "Magical Realism is when a story has magical (ie non-scientific) elements, said elements being neither Consistent nor Persistent".
I concluded Poppins was inconsistent enough but failed the second criteria because Mary and the magic around her was too Persistent. Anyway, sidebar over.
Overall still delightfully weird enough for me to continue the series.
April 9, 2017
another crappy book from the psychopath Mary Poppins
I am really starting to believe that the juice Mary Poppins gives the children the moment she arrives is actually some kind of drug just so they can obey her and not report her to the authorities, because this person is pure evil and there is not ounce of compassion in her .. yes I know she is supposed to be teaching the children the truth about the world but she is just lying all the time and make them feel stupid and afraid to even share their opinion .. I don't know what kind of raising they did back then but if all nannies were like this I am sure as hell glad I wasn't born in that era, I would really have turned into a criminal that kills all the nannies in the world
ughhh there are 6 more of these ?? let's see how much longer I can survive this before I give up
I am really starting to believe that the juice Mary Poppins gives the children the moment she arrives is actually some kind of drug just so they can obey her and not report her to the authorities, because this person is pure evil and there is not ounce of compassion in her .. yes I know she is supposed to be teaching the children the truth about the world but she is just lying all the time and make them feel stupid and afraid to even share their opinion .. I don't know what kind of raising they did back then but if all nannies were like this I am sure as hell glad I wasn't born in that era, I would really have turned into a criminal that kills all the nannies in the world
ughhh there are 6 more of these ?? let's see how much longer I can survive this before I give up
November 19, 2022
This book was absolutely amazing. This story follows Mary Poppins arriving back to the Banks household to look after the children for a second time. I would recommend this to anyone who likes the Mary Poppins movies. It is a great follow on from the first Mary Poppins story, and I'm already looking to get a copy of the next book in this series.
December 24, 2023
"Mary Poppins Comes Back" sees the magical nanny return for more whimsical adventures.
April 5, 2020
/2.5 stars/
The Banks children have gone through enough to make any average, respectable child to go insane.
Probable rtc
The Banks children have gone through enough to make any average, respectable child to go insane.
Probable rtc
August 25, 2019
I recently finally listened to Mary Poppins and discovered that there are way more books in that series than I ever expected. So we'll be plugging along with these for a while.
Mary Poppins Comes Back is, well, just as the title tells us. Mary Poppins does come back, after leaving Michael and Jane at the end of the first book (just as she did in the movie). A lot of readers are really upset that the movie was not in line with the book for much of the story, but when has Hollywood ever been that accurate? Especially when it comes to Disney.
One could say that the new Emily Blunt Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns, follows (loosely) the events that take place in the second book in the series. No, in the book, Jane and Michael are not grown up and trying to protect the family home. In the story, they are still children, and the twins John and Barbara are still around though possibly a bit older. I don't know, I still don't even know why the twins exist because there's not much too them. And now there's even another child because someone keeps letting the Banks have children. Annabel, who is even more worthless than John and Barbara. No one cares about the little ones. Let's just talk about Jane and Michael. (Though to be fair the twins did get their own little story in the first book and Annabel had a rich story in this book. I'm just not interested, probably because Disney broke me and I only care about Jane and Michael.)
But some of the things that occur in the book do happen in the Emily Blunt movie, such as a visit to Topsy-Turvy (who is decidedly nothing like Meryl Streep) and the bit with the balloons and an adventure inside the painting on a bowl.
And, for the record, if you didn't like the way Mary Poppins was portrayed in the first book, you won't like her any more in this book. She is still... well, Mary Poppins.
The kids go on adventures, Mary Poppins is still vain and not-so-nice, and I still giggled every time the word "perambulator" was used because I can't get over that word for some reason.
But, seriously, why can the Banks family not get their shit together? Did they learn nothing after the events in the first book? Or was the moral of the story more apparent in the Julie Andrews movie? Mr. Banks is insufferable and probably needs a nanny more than Jane and Michael (and those twins and new baby).
There seems to be more magic in this book than in the first. Or the author was on more drugs when she wrote it, either way. People complained that Mary Poppins is not as magical as the Disney movie makes it seem, to which I remind you all again: DISNEY. But in this second installment there is a bit of magic, or so it seems. Shit happens that are completely out of the ordinary, so either Mary Poppins drugged everyone again or maybe there is some magic in her carpetbag after all.
As is typical with many second books, the formula is the same as the first, almost chapter-for-chapter. It will be dull if all the books follow this formula, but for now I'll assume it's just a problem with most sophomore releases.
The audio version is narrated, again, by Sophie Thompson. I have no real complaints with her narration, and I think I'll be sad if any of the other books in the series are narrated by anyone else. As far as I'm concerned, she is Mary Poppins. (Though, okay, yeah, one complaint - that her vocal characterizations are actually not that good. It was like she would narrate one character and then go to the next voice, but it would take a second for her voice to change into the next character's voice, and that was a bit distracting. But not enough to make me want a different narrator. I've gotten used to this one, thank you very much.)
Mary Poppins Comes Back is, well, just as the title tells us. Mary Poppins does come back, after leaving Michael and Jane at the end of the first book (just as she did in the movie). A lot of readers are really upset that the movie was not in line with the book for much of the story, but when has Hollywood ever been that accurate? Especially when it comes to Disney.
One could say that the new Emily Blunt Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns, follows (loosely) the events that take place in the second book in the series. No, in the book, Jane and Michael are not grown up and trying to protect the family home. In the story, they are still children, and the twins John and Barbara are still around though possibly a bit older. I don't know, I still don't even know why the twins exist because there's not much too them. And now there's even another child because someone keeps letting the Banks have children. Annabel, who is even more worthless than John and Barbara. No one cares about the little ones. Let's just talk about Jane and Michael. (Though to be fair the twins did get their own little story in the first book and Annabel had a rich story in this book. I'm just not interested, probably because Disney broke me and I only care about Jane and Michael.)
But some of the things that occur in the book do happen in the Emily Blunt movie, such as a visit to Topsy-Turvy (who is decidedly nothing like Meryl Streep) and the bit with the balloons and an adventure inside the painting on a bowl.
And, for the record, if you didn't like the way Mary Poppins was portrayed in the first book, you won't like her any more in this book. She is still... well, Mary Poppins.
The kids go on adventures, Mary Poppins is still vain and not-so-nice, and I still giggled every time the word "perambulator" was used because I can't get over that word for some reason.
But, seriously, why can the Banks family not get their shit together? Did they learn nothing after the events in the first book? Or was the moral of the story more apparent in the Julie Andrews movie? Mr. Banks is insufferable and probably needs a nanny more than Jane and Michael (and those twins and new baby).
There seems to be more magic in this book than in the first. Or the author was on more drugs when she wrote it, either way. People complained that Mary Poppins is not as magical as the Disney movie makes it seem, to which I remind you all again: DISNEY. But in this second installment there is a bit of magic, or so it seems. Shit happens that are completely out of the ordinary, so either Mary Poppins drugged everyone again or maybe there is some magic in her carpetbag after all.
As is typical with many second books, the formula is the same as the first, almost chapter-for-chapter. It will be dull if all the books follow this formula, but for now I'll assume it's just a problem with most sophomore releases.
The audio version is narrated, again, by Sophie Thompson. I have no real complaints with her narration, and I think I'll be sad if any of the other books in the series are narrated by anyone else. As far as I'm concerned, she is Mary Poppins. (Though, okay, yeah, one complaint - that her vocal characterizations are actually not that good. It was like she would narrate one character and then go to the next voice, but it would take a second for her voice to change into the next character's voice, and that was a bit distracting. But not enough to make me want a different narrator. I've gotten used to this one, thank you very much.)
May 11, 2016
Most people are pretty familiar with the Disney version of Mary Poppins. But not everyone knows that Mary Poppins is the first in a whole series of books, and that the tone of the books is quite different from the Disney version of events. I highly recommend you consider checking out these slightly grittier books.
Mary Poppins Comes Back is the second book in the series. If you've seen the Disney movie, you could easily pick up this book and start from here; if you know nothing about Mary Poppins, I'd recommend starting with Mary Poppins.
So in the books, Mary is rather stern with the Banks children, but it works. She's also a bit uptight, domineering, short, and bossy. She even tells Mr. and Mrs. Banks what to do sometimes! She sets her own schedule, coming and going out of their employment at her will, not theirs. When she puts the kids to bed, she simply tells them to go to bed and then leaves the room. No sentimental storytime or good nights. In the movie, she cheerily sings "Spoonful of Sugar" and magically makes castor oil taste delicious; in the book she makes the kids take the med without changing the taste or singing a song.
However, the magic is definitely still there, and that's what makes these books so excellent. No matter what is happening on Cherry Tree Lane, Mary Poppins and her magic can distract and/or make things better. This series of books is almost written like a series of vignettes; the chapters can easily be read one at a time, as there's no cliffhanger endings. In each one, one or more the Banks children is facing a conflict and in each one something magical happens. Also at the end of each chapter: Mary totally denying that anything unusual happened. For example, in one story Jane Banks wakes up having a bad day. (Yes, a very minor conflict, but a conflict in the life of a child still.) She ends up magically shrinking down and "entering" the world depicted on the side of a fancy porcelain bowl on the mantelpiece, where she meets three young boys. When things don't go as well as hoped for, and Mary has to rescue her, she comes home in a much better mood and much more appreciative of the life she does have. Mary, as usual, tells Jane that she imagined the whole thing. Yet, Mary's scarf is clearly visible in the picture on the bowl after the whole escapade!
The magic continues throughout the book... the children meet Mr. Turvy and his wife, Mrs. Topsy. They also go bouncing through the park, buoyed by big colorful balloons. And finally, they also learn the story of the King of the Castle and the Dirty Rascal, and learn that Mary may have been involved, of course.
If you find yourself needing a magically surprising escape, like the Banks children sometimes do, check out the Mary Poppins series!
Mary Poppins Comes Back is the second book in the series. If you've seen the Disney movie, you could easily pick up this book and start from here; if you know nothing about Mary Poppins, I'd recommend starting with Mary Poppins.
So in the books, Mary is rather stern with the Banks children, but it works. She's also a bit uptight, domineering, short, and bossy. She even tells Mr. and Mrs. Banks what to do sometimes! She sets her own schedule, coming and going out of their employment at her will, not theirs. When she puts the kids to bed, she simply tells them to go to bed and then leaves the room. No sentimental storytime or good nights. In the movie, she cheerily sings "Spoonful of Sugar" and magically makes castor oil taste delicious; in the book she makes the kids take the med without changing the taste or singing a song.
However, the magic is definitely still there, and that's what makes these books so excellent. No matter what is happening on Cherry Tree Lane, Mary Poppins and her magic can distract and/or make things better. This series of books is almost written like a series of vignettes; the chapters can easily be read one at a time, as there's no cliffhanger endings. In each one, one or more the Banks children is facing a conflict and in each one something magical happens. Also at the end of each chapter: Mary totally denying that anything unusual happened. For example, in one story Jane Banks wakes up having a bad day. (Yes, a very minor conflict, but a conflict in the life of a child still.) She ends up magically shrinking down and "entering" the world depicted on the side of a fancy porcelain bowl on the mantelpiece, where she meets three young boys. When things don't go as well as hoped for, and Mary has to rescue her, she comes home in a much better mood and much more appreciative of the life she does have. Mary, as usual, tells Jane that she imagined the whole thing. Yet, Mary's scarf is clearly visible in the picture on the bowl after the whole escapade!
The magic continues throughout the book... the children meet Mr. Turvy and his wife, Mrs. Topsy. They also go bouncing through the park, buoyed by big colorful balloons. And finally, they also learn the story of the King of the Castle and the Dirty Rascal, and learn that Mary may have been involved, of course.
If you find yourself needing a magically surprising escape, like the Banks children sometimes do, check out the Mary Poppins series!
February 22, 2016
I am a bit vexed by these books. Who is Mary Poppins really? Where does she come from? Where does she go? Why is she the way she is? And will we ever get these questions answered?
Many magical adventures again occur involving Mary Poppins and the Banks children. And as in the first book, Mary Poppins never explains how any of the magical things happen to the children, never answers their questions. It seems they are becoming more accepting of this in this second book, and just take her and the mysteries that surround her for part of who she is. They didn't even seem surprised in the end when she suddenly left them again.
So I guess I will continue this series with book three. I am hoping some of my questions will eventually be answered, but like the Banks children I may eventually just give up and accept the mystery as having no answers.
Many magical adventures again occur involving Mary Poppins and the Banks children. And as in the first book, Mary Poppins never explains how any of the magical things happen to the children, never answers their questions. It seems they are becoming more accepting of this in this second book, and just take her and the mysteries that surround her for part of who she is. They didn't even seem surprised in the end when she suddenly left them again.
So I guess I will continue this series with book three. I am hoping some of my questions will eventually be answered, but like the Banks children I may eventually just give up and accept the mystery as having no answers.
April 3, 2016
Better than the first book. I got the feeling that P.L. Travers started putting a bit more into her story building, making adventures slightly more magical and immersive.
I first read Mary Poppins when I was a kid, and I remembered her as vain and cross, but I was surprised to see just how vain and cross she really was - barely if ever seeming to smile or have a good word for anyone - yet always loved.
Which comes as no surprise, if you think about it, because even if she glares and scoffs overtly, she secretly enables children to go on adventures, offers help to those who need it or simply grants wishes for the sake of it.
The adventures are fun and memorable and some of the images continue to stick with me - I'm happy to revisit the stories they're in time and time again.
I first read Mary Poppins when I was a kid, and I remembered her as vain and cross, but I was surprised to see just how vain and cross she really was - barely if ever seeming to smile or have a good word for anyone - yet always loved.
Which comes as no surprise, if you think about it, because even if she glares and scoffs overtly, she secretly enables children to go on adventures, offers help to those who need it or simply grants wishes for the sake of it.
The adventures are fun and memorable and some of the images continue to stick with me - I'm happy to revisit the stories they're in time and time again.
November 15, 2016
I enjoyed this more than Mary Poppins. Travers ups her game by going even more cosmic and exploring the human need to attach underlying meaning to surface experience. Mary Poppins is a strict nanny, but the children love her because she is there and free of whimsy and inattention when it comes to their care. She's a pro, and the only one the Banks children have known. Mary's origin story would be something to behold, I am sure. I still get teary-eyed every time she leaves...
December 18, 2015
Lovely. So mythical, imaginative and down to earth! I love this Mary Poppins and I love that there are now 5 children. Similar tones to Peter Pan but better (and less disturbing!). I look forward to reading the next one!
February 20, 2018
I really enjoy Travers' writing. It's quaint and clever and quite funny. Such an interesting series so far. Mary Poppins is so enigmatic but lovable. I found myself thinking of the Phantom Tollbooth in this one; saw some similarities in style. I was also struck by how fantastical this one was; I think even more than the first. Entertaining, witty, and an unsurprisingly lovely read.
April 3, 2024
“We're on the brink of an Adventure. Don't spoil it by asking questions!”
The thing about this book is... if you liked the first Mary Poppins you would like this one too, because the stories are really similar - most of them are variantions of the stories from the first book. But for the same reason you probably won't be too taken with them too. Unless some of them hits some special spot for you. I thought this was fun and fine read. I'm not sure how I feel about some aspects - like Robertson Ay or the fact that Nellie Rubina has no legs (I think I love this second one, especially with how casual it is). And then there are some less prominent aspects that I am quite sure about hating (there is a little bit of casual racism), but fortunately those didn't take up too much space. I also felt there were some lost opportunities plot-wise, but... oh well, I guess that's okay.
I overall enjoyed this, although I hoped to enjoy it more. I really hope the next book Mary Poppins Opens the Door will do a bit more of new things. Although I guess it would be fine if it didn't... I plan to read that one this year too, but I'll probably wait for a bit so it doesn't feel too repetitive.
October 2, 2024
A treat to finish this old favorite on the feast of the Guardian Angels. It's as good as ever, severely comforting, like an angel. (Milosz's concept of a guardian angel bears some resemblance to Mary Poppins in these books.)
November 4, 2019
Well.
There are aspects of the second movie in this book and that was very cool - I am glad they used a lot of this book for that movie [which I also love; almost as much as the first one] as this book was a lot of fun. There were some slightly terrifying parts [Miss Andrews anyone? ], but it was mostly all good fun with everyone's favorite nanny.
There are aspects of the second movie in this book and that was very cool - I am glad they used a lot of this book for that movie [which I also love; almost as much as the first one] as this book was a lot of fun. There were some slightly terrifying parts [Miss Andrews anyone? ], but it was mostly all good fun with everyone's favorite nanny.
October 31, 2021
Audiobook performed by Sophie Thompson
From the book jacket: Pulled down from the clouds at the end of a kite string, Mary Poppins is here again to take the Banks children in hand, leading them from one head-spinning adventure to another.
My reactions
Oh, My! I read these books when I was about nine or ten years old. My best friend and I would share the books back and forth, spending countless hours at recess and over lunch talking about Mary Poppins, the Banks children and their fantastical adventures. There were only four books in the series at that time, and I think we read each of them three or four times. This was before the Disney movie adaptation, which we eventually saw and loved, though we recognized the differences and were a little disappointed that some of our favorite adventures were missing.
I re-read the first book when my first niece was about six (she’s 19 now), thinking I might want to give her the series. I was struck by how mean and unpleasant Mary Poppins was – definitely not the lovable nanny of my memory!
I had no such reaction this time, although Mary Poppins is certainly a stern taskmaster at times, not to mention vain. But I just loved the adventures she and the children had! Who would not smile at Mr Turvy, the Balloon Woman, or the trip to the Constellations?!
Sophie Thompson does a marvelous job narrating the audio version. Like many children’s books, this one lends itself easily to being read aloud. Thompson has great pacing, and a gift for voices that really helps to bring these characters to life.
From the book jacket: Pulled down from the clouds at the end of a kite string, Mary Poppins is here again to take the Banks children in hand, leading them from one head-spinning adventure to another.
My reactions
Oh, My! I read these books when I was about nine or ten years old. My best friend and I would share the books back and forth, spending countless hours at recess and over lunch talking about Mary Poppins, the Banks children and their fantastical adventures. There were only four books in the series at that time, and I think we read each of them three or four times. This was before the Disney movie adaptation, which we eventually saw and loved, though we recognized the differences and were a little disappointed that some of our favorite adventures were missing.
I re-read the first book when my first niece was about six (she’s 19 now), thinking I might want to give her the series. I was struck by how mean and unpleasant Mary Poppins was – definitely not the lovable nanny of my memory!
I had no such reaction this time, although Mary Poppins is certainly a stern taskmaster at times, not to mention vain. But I just loved the adventures she and the children had! Who would not smile at Mr Turvy, the Balloon Woman, or the trip to the Constellations?!
Sophie Thompson does a marvelous job narrating the audio version. Like many children’s books, this one lends itself easily to being read aloud. Thompson has great pacing, and a gift for voices that really helps to bring these characters to life.
June 21, 2017
Mary Poppins is an endearing, sassy, and strict human whom I have regard very dearly. However, in this reread I came across some interesting and questionable things that I hadn't noticed before. The book rather interestingly suggests that The Sun is a god, and presents a Noah story where the biblical version is quite twisted.
These were just little issues that I spotted on this reread, and yet I couldn't stop thinking about them. To be fair I have had a very "theological day", researching Calvinism and the like. That said, I couldn't stop thinking about these issues while reading, which rather spoiled the book for me.
It's always upsetting when one of your favourite books as a kid gets ruined by some small philosophical/moral/ethical detail (does this happen to everyone?? Or is it just me?).
But despite its flaws, Mary Poppins will always be one of my favourite fictional characters!!
These were just little issues that I spotted on this reread, and yet I couldn't stop thinking about them. To be fair I have had a very "theological day", researching Calvinism and the like. That said, I couldn't stop thinking about these issues while reading, which rather spoiled the book for me.
It's always upsetting when one of your favourite books as a kid gets ruined by some small philosophical/moral/ethical detail (does this happen to everyone?? Or is it just me?).
But despite its flaws, Mary Poppins will always be one of my favourite fictional characters!!
March 28, 2019
Another charming and wondrous time spent with the indescribable Mary Poppins. It might feel vaguely formulaic to those who read the first book, as it follows similar "categories" (an uppity woman, Mary Poppins' night out, visiting a relative, the Bad Day, the starling, telling a story, etc), but it is a good kind of familiar: these new adventures are just as captivating. My favorite adventure was the one with the stars - P.L. Travers truly is lovely in her creativity! This book starts after it's been some time since Mary Poppins last left, too, so we get to see the family grow up a bit.
October 24, 2015
So I liked this one a little bit more than the first one. It was not as creepy as the first one, and I honestly don't know if it was because I got used to her creepiness or it was actually less creepy.
The writing is beautiful and delightful, but still I'm not a fan of the characters.
I still can't understand how did the kids love Mary Poppins when she showed them no affection whatsoever.
The writing is beautiful and delightful, but still I'm not a fan of the characters.
I still can't understand how did the kids love Mary Poppins when she showed them no affection whatsoever.
August 24, 2022
Mary Poppins - my companion through childhood, youth, and all stressful periods of my grown-up life. Once again I found myself lost in the magical world of Cherry Tree Lane, once Mary Poppins is around. In this the second book, I especially love the Circus of stars, Sun, and Moon, and the day of balloons...I will never grow tired of the imaginative world!
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