A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett



                A Little Princess is the story of Sarah Crewe, whose mother died when she was born and leaving her in the care of her loving father, Captain Crewe. At the age of seven she left India and the only home she has never known to attend Ms. Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies. Her father insured that she would have every comfort that his wealth allowed. As her father returned to India Sarah attended and minded her lessons, helping her friends when she could and letting her imagination run wild with stories whenever possible. Sara pretended she was a princess and taught herself to carry herself as such, mindful of the way she treated and respected everyone. She was obviously well loved by her father and as the years passed her comforts increased, but her mild mannered and respectful ways remained. When Captain Crewe unexpectedly passed away and she was left with nothing due to unexpected circumstances, Sara’s world shifts. She is now a ward of Miss Minchin forced to live in the attic, run errands and work with the other students to earn her keep. As her world changes she tries to remember what it was like to be loved, well fed and a princess.
                The movie adaptation of this book might have been one of my favorite movies as a child. I have it now and find myself drawn to it still. I am actually shocked that I never decided to pick up the book before now but I am very happy I did. A Little Princess is such a beautiful story about a little girl whose entire world is taken away and yet she somehow finds the strength to make it through each day. The fact that she was such a considerate child before and was able to retain some of that hope regardless of her desolate situation is amazing. Sara’s mind is one that I would love to understand. The resilience and the ability to leave her circumstances and create a different world for herself through simply “pretending” is so wonderful. If more children were like Sara I might have more faith in this world.

                Burnett created an easy to read, well imagined and elegantly told story around Sara. This story reveals so much about people’s true character and how they respond to the loss of fortune or misfortune of others. A Little Princess in many ways is a sad story because it reveals so much about how society chooses to treat people that they feel are less than or poor. I find hope in Sara and I loved watching her endure even with everything had changed. I give this story 4 out of 5 stars. A beautiful read with a necessary story about overcoming the odds and finding a way to be happy. 

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