Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White #ChildrensFiction #AudioBookReview

Author: E.B. White

Released October 2019

Category: Children’s Fiction, Audiobook, Book Review

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Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s Web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter.

I couldn’t resist indulging in some nostalgia when I saw Charlotte’s Web on Audible, especially with such a great cast which includes Meryl Streep, January LaVoy, Kirby Heyborne and MacLeod Andrews.

Charlotte’s Web is a charming story about a little pig called Wilbur. Saved by Fern when, as the runt of litter, his fate was all but sealed. Fern raises Wilbur, making sure he’s fed and looked after properly. She takes him for walks and down to the brook for a swim.

Fern loved Wilbur more than anything. She loved to stroke him, to feed him, to put him to bed.

When Wilbur is eventually sold to a nearby farm because he was costing Fern’s parents too much money, Fern visits him mostly every day. But even though he was surrounded by the other farm animals, Wilbur was lonely. He missed having fun and a special friend. When Charlotte offered to be Wilbur’s friend he was overjoyed…until he’s told matter of factly by the old sheep why the farmer is fattening him up. Charlotte comes to the rescue with a very clever idea which not only saves Wilbur but also makes him famous.

‘Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ’That in itself is a tremendous thing.’

Charlotte’s Web is a wonderful children’s story covering several aspects such as life, death, the importance and meaning of friendship, loyalty and trust, all highlighted in a unique way. The characters, particularly the animals, are very well developed and easily imagined, all with their own distinct personalities.

A superb narration by a full cast. Meryl Streep’s delivery is excellent, very smooth and easy. The other stand outs for me were Kirby Heyborne (Wilbur), January LaVoy (Charlotte) and Macleod Andrews (Templeton)

About the Author

Elwyn Brooks White was a leading American essayist, author, humorist, poet and literary stylist and author of such beloved children’s classics as Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. He graduated from Cornell University in 1921 and, five or six years later, joined the staff of The New Yorker magazine. He authored over seventeen books of prose and poetry and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1973.
White always said that he found writing difficult and bad for one’s disposition.
Mr. White has won countless awards, including the 1971 National Medal for Literature and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, which commended him for making “a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.”