2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
It's quite fitting that my final review of the year should be of a Christmas book. Right before the special holiday, and not like where I read and reviewed 'The Haunting of Hill House' after Halloween.
Anyway, 'Hetty Feather's Christmas' is okay. I'd read 'Sapphire Battersea' and 'Emerald Star' beforehand, and they are okay as well. Not as exciting or well-written as the first book, in my opinion, but they grow on you (I would read further if I didn't know that, later on, there would be the abominable love triangle and Hetty renouncing independence for a man who wants to own her and who doesn't respect her. Did I dodge a bullet? I think so). They are good, educational historical reads for children.
Hetty herself remains the best feature, a fantastic character and narrator.
In Hetty's very own Christmas special, where she is twelve years old, she is shown to be treated cruelly at the London foundling hospital on Christmas Day, just as she had opened a lovely, handmade present from a secret loved one. It is destroyed almost instantly. Then, after suffering in the hospital's archaic punishment room, she is taken to have dinner with a rich family, the Rivers, where she experiences for the first time in her life how the privileged in Victorian society live. And how they celebrate Christmas. Classes collide, and old and new friendships are cemented (but not really, as they are not mentioned in the 'Hetty Feather' sequels).
Presents, food, games, families, joining together regardless of class and social standing, what a nice Christmas message. Not exactly charity so much as showing the good yet superficial side, and the bad, critical side, of being privileged above the less fortunate, especially the children. There is a message about forgiveness and giving people a chance to be good too.
The characters are very memorable for such a short story. The author's dislike of fat people sadly shows up once again in the form of the Rivers' classist, snobby, thoughtless, lazy mother. In contrast to the thin and kind father, who has a job that supports his wife and seven children, and their servants and pets. But I am interested in Clover and Rose enough to want to read their own books where they are the leads. They seem like lovely characters, especially the caring and enthusiastic Rose Rivers.
A quick read for the day. A sweet, yet flawed, little Christmas story, with a young, strong, female lead. Among many other strong female characters. Good ideas for presents and party games are included, plus facts about Victorians at Christmas.
Well, that is all. Everybody have a happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. Or however you choose to spend this holiday of compassion and love and giving to others (which, it should not have to be said, should be an all-year requirement).
Have a very Hetty Christmas, and a Hetty new year.
Take care.
Final Score: 3.5/5
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