"The best version of the Cinderella story in modern idiom that exists," is how Marghanita Laski describes Frances Hodgson Burnett's Little Lord Fauntleroy. It is the charming story of a seven-year-old American boy, Ceddie Errol, who lives on the edge of poverty in New York. One day he is visited by a gruff lawyer at the tiny house he shares with his widowed mother, and his life is never to be the same: waiting in England is Dorincourt Castle, where Ceddie is to reside as the sole living heir to the irascible, proud, and selfish Earl of Dorincourt. It will be up to this virtuous boy to capture and warm the Earl's heart and transform him into a doting grandfather and responsible landlord.
This stirring classic is a great family listen.
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"I love The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and I wanted to read more of her works, so I read this one! It is the story of a young boy who unexpectedly becomes the heir to an earldom, and through his sweet innocent nature softens the heart of his crabby grandfather. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and several times almost brought tears to my eyes, even though the moral lessons are sometimes a trifle heavy-handed, and young Cedric juat a touch too saccharine for reality!"
— Duckpondwithoutducks (4 out of 5 stars)
“The best version of the Cinderella story in modern idiom that exists.”
— Marghanita Laski, English journalist and novelist“[A] moralistic Victorian tale.”
— School Library Journal" Sweet, innocent, precious and timeless. Loved it! "
— Annette, 2/17/2014" going through a children's classic's phase. Cedric is too idealistic a child, and unrealistically perfect "
— Chris, 2/17/2014" This was an interesting book, more readable than I'd expected. Of course the descriptions of the little boy were too perfect to be believable but I did find the character likeable rather than annoying. I'd seen it referenced in another book that was set in the early 1900s and wanted to understand the reference. "
— Marti, 2/10/2014" This is not a full novel like some of the author's other works, but it is still overall an enjoyable book about a little boy who finds out about a family he never knew he had (a rich grandpa) The writing style is a bit dated, so people who are more used to contemporary literature may be thrown off a bit, but it's still a cute book. If you're familiar with Ms. Burnett's writing style, this should be nothing new for you. "
— Delicious, 2/7/2014" This was an adorable read, but somehow it didn't grip me as much as The Secret Garden did. Maybe it's just me, but Cedric is a little too flawless and the story is all too smooth with no real conflict except for the last quarter of the book. Apart from that, it's a lovely children's story that is worth the read. "
— Tess, 2/2/2014" Little Lord Fauntleroy is not in the same class with A Secret Garden and A Little Princess due to a lack of character development in the main protagonist. Little Lord Fauntleroy the boy is portrayed as so very naive that he comes across as a bit vapid and dull, in spite of being repeatedly described as intelligent, bright and mature and the like. The story itself is truly about the old man, his grandfather, and how this idiot-genius of a boy changes his relation without being remotely changed himself, and that story is childish but fun. "
— Anna, 1/28/2014" One of my favorite children's classics (but good for adults too!). It helps remind me the importance of having a positive nature. "
— Janalee, 1/16/2014" A charming little children's story, with a happy ending. Written by a relative on my father's side of the family. "
— Tina, 1/15/2014" Read this as an adult, and I was surprised how much I liked it. "
— Martha, 12/25/2013" A sweet read. Good for youth. "
— Julie, 12/10/2013" I really enjoyed this book. The reviews are fairly mixed so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a quick read and since I don't remember reading Secret Garden, maybe it was better. Nothing to freshly compare it to. I'll have to read it soon and see which I like more. "
— Ellen, 12/8/2013Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) was an English-born author of romances and books for children. After moving to America in 1865, she established a popular reputation with the publication of That Lass o’ Lowrie’s in 1877. She is best known for such novels as Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden.
Johanna Ward (a.k.a. Kate Reading) is an Audie Award–winning narrator and has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine. She is also a theater actor in the Washington, DC, area and has been a member of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company since 1987. Her work onstage has been recognized by the Helen Hayes Awards Society, among others. She and her husband live in Hyattsville, Maryland, with their two children.