The Little White Horse
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The Little White Horse is a children's novel by Elizabeth Goudge which won the 1946 Carnegie Medal for children's literature. The original edition was illustrated by C. Walter Hodges.
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[edit] Storyline
It is 1842 and Maria Merryweather, a 13-year-old orphan, is on a journey to the mysterious Moonacre Manor somewhere in the west of England, accompanied by her governess Miss Heliotrope and dog Wiggins. There she finds herself in a world out of time. Maria meets her cousin, Sir Benjamin Merryweather, one of the "sun" Merryweathers, and finds that she loves him right away - the "sun" and the "moon" Merryweathers always take to each other - for a while. Maria discovers that there is an ancient story around founding of the estate that will have a great effect on her future....
Although she is aided by a stable of wonderful characters and magical beasts (including the unicorn of the title), it is only by self-sacrifice and perseverance that she will be able to succeed in bringing wholeness back to Moonacre. And of course, with a pinch of magic, Maria is able to save Moonacre, right the wrongs, reunite lost loves and finally bring peace to the valley, and there is the happiest of happy endings.
[edit] Characters
Maria Merryweater- She is a smart, quick-thinking 13-year-old orphan and is a good role model for young girls, even though being constantly deemed a mary-sue.
Robin- He is the child of Loveday Minette and a lawyer.
[edit] Adaptations
The book is being adapted into a movie, The Secret of Moonacre with a script written by Lucy Shuttleworth and Graham Alborough. Currently being shot in Hungary and expected to be released in 2008 it is directed by Gabor Csupo. Young actress Dakota Blue Richards has been cast for the part of Maria.[1]
The 1994 television mini-series Moonacre was based on The Little White Horse.
[edit] Sources
- Forgan-Smith Entertainment info on the book
- Official web site for the movie.
- The Secret of Moonacre at the Internet Movie Database
- Elizabeth Goudge fan page and reader forum
[edit] References
[edit] Edition
- 1st edition, London, University of London Press Ltd. [1946]; LCCN 47018596