Let me preface by saying that I apologize for the lack of regular updating to this blog! I’ve been busy with stuff, so please bear with me. I hope to, possibly, do more regular updates, maybe, but for the moment, let’s dive into The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne!
Book: The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh
Author: A. A. Milne
Year: 1926-1928
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh is a compilation of A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Both books are collections of stories about Milne’s son, Christopher Robin, and his stuffed animal friends, including Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, and Tigger, and about their silly adventures they have in the make-believe world of Hundred Acre Woods.
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I first picked up this book back in 2009, having never read any of the stories about Christopher Robin and his friends and wanting to immerse myself in them. Unfortunately, the copy I picked up became lost as I was moving out of my college dorm and I was unable to read any more. That all changed, however, when I went to the local library yesterday to picks up some research material on A. A Milne for a poetry project. I came across the book and decided I’d check it out. As soon as I got home, I cracked it open and found myself completely engulfed in the stories and finished the 340-ish page compendium that night.
Milne fills The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh with endearing characters that all have a unique personality of their own. Piglet tries to be brave, but is timid because of his small size. Eeyore is relentless in his misery and passively tries to bring everyone down with him. Tigger tries to convince everyone else that he is the best at everything. Pooh isn’t very smart, but is extremely creative in his ideas and the little songs he makes up.
Milne uses a unique language that is distinct throughout and really brings the “little child playing make-believe” aspect alive, particularly with the mispronunciations from characters (“organdized” for “organized”, “expotition” for expedition, etc.). There are also many plays on English phrases, my favorite example being:
Once upon a time, a very long time ago now, about last Friday, Winnie-the-Pooh lived in a forest all by himself under the name of Sanders.
(“What does ‘under the name’ mean?” asked Christopher Robin.
“It means he had the name over the door in gold letters, and lived under it.”
“Winnie-the-Pooh wasn’t quite sure,” said Christopher Robin.
“Now I am,” said a growly voice.
“Then I will go on,” said I.)
(Rereading this line makes me want to look through the book and write down other lines that I love, but I’ll finish the review before doing that.)
The stories build up the personalities of the characters over time and can stand alone, though they do reference previous stories, particularly “Piglet Does a Very Grand Thing” and “Eeyore Finds the Wolery and Owl Moves Into It” in The House at Pooh Corner, which are immediately sequential.
The last story, “Christopher Robin and Pooh Come to an Enchanted Place, and We Leave Them There”, is a real tear-jerker. In this story, the imagery seems even more gorgeous than the rest of the stories, though they have very vivid imagery as well, and the dialogue between Christopher Robin and Pooh is extremely emotional. I do not suggest reading it in the middle of the night, trust me on this! You’ll probably tear up anytime you read it (if you have a soul, that is), but reading it when you’re tired and extremely susceptible to emotion is probably not such a hot idea.
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I highly suggest The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne to everybody! If you have a small child, they will love hearing about the tales of these personality-enriched and loveable characters, and if you’re an adult you will love the language use that Milne uses and enjoy the humor and emotions the book provides.
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