Product Description

The adventures of Toad of Toad Hall continue in this story where the comfortable bachelor world of the River Bank is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of a formidable female character, who seems to win Toad's heart.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4845372 in Books
• Published on: 1996-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio Cassette

From Kirkus Reviews
In a second sequel to Kenneth Grahame's classic The Wind in the Willows, Horwood (The Willows in Winter, 1994) revisits the River Bank and the beloved characters of Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger. Portraits of loyal Mole, practical Rat, and wise Badger remain faithfully intact (in text as well as in Benson's black-and- white illustrations); however, Horwood seems captivated with Grahame's own notion of ``an altered Toad,'' and much of the plot dances around this idea. Toad's normal vanity and conceit are seen in ``alarming transmutation,'' thanks to Cupid's arrow, which has left Toad smitten and contemplating matrimony. A parallel plot bears the overriding theme of immortality, which prompts Mole and Rat to journey up river in their desire to ``get a little nearer to the mystery we have called Beyond.'' The two threads intersect at journey's end, where Toad willfully escapes ``the eternal bond'' of marriage, proving himself as irresolute as ever. The formal style of writing adequately mimics Grahame's own; that, and the sophisticated themes may be better appreciated by adults who loved the original. Nevertheless, the River Bank animals have fans who will be happy to pause awhile in such good company. (Fiction. 11+) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review
"With its humor, tenderness, suspense, and happy ending...[Toad Triumphant is] a pleasant story and a good read." --The Christian Science Monitor

"The old characters pop back to life as you begin reading." --The New York Times

"Faithful to the original...Festive...A winsome winner." --The Chicago Tribune

"The Willows in Winter transports us back to the familiar rivery world almost as authoritatively-and entertaingly-as a sequel by Grahame himself." --Atlanta Journal Constitution

"Patrick Benson's cross-hatched illustrations seem to have been lovingly guided by the hand of Ernest Shepard, whose 1931 drawings of The Wind in the Willows continue to transport young readers to meadow, river bank, and wild wood." --Cleveland Plain Dealer
-- Review

About the Author
Since the publication of 'The Willows in Winter William Horwood has received letters from hundreds of readers thanking him for recapturing the spirit of Kenneth Grahame's great work so faithfully. He is also the author of the two bestselling trilogies about the moles of Duncton Wood, and the new 'The Wolves of Time series.

Customer Reviews

Not as good as the first two
I thought the original Wind in the Willows and the sequel Willows in Winter were better executed than Toad Triumphant. Toad Triumphant is a little disjointed, the characterization a little unbelievable at times (e.g. mole's depression) and the story sags in parts (although things pick up with Horwood's clever ending). On the other hand, Patrick Benson deserves high marks for his excellent illustrations which accompany the text. I suppose Mr. Horwood wanted to try something a little different by delving into the histories of the river bank animals and bringing romantic love into their world, but I don't believe this approach worked as well. I feel the book is better than average, but as I said, I like Kenneth Grahame's orginal and Horwood's first sequel better.

Almost as good as the original
I loved reading The Wind in the Willows with my kids and was glad I came upon that piece of literature for my own sake that I wouldn't have otherwise. I was concerned a sequel by another author would ruin it. But The Willows in Winter lives up to the original and is a joy to read, and this one is almost as good.