What do You think about The Borrowers Afloat (2003)?
I bought this and Aloft in an op shop in Opunake, Taranaki. When you're on holiday, and away from the things that comfort you, finding an old friend like a favourite book can be very satisfying. We went back to the motel and I had a bubble bath and a good read, listening to the blackbird next door singing out the day. I wouldn't swap that sort of experience with all the money in the world.What a lovely book, I'd forgotten how much I love The Borrowers. The language is just delightful. There's a certain melancholy about the characters - they are fiercely independent but still rely on human beings.
—Yellowoasis
And now -- my annual relaxing dip into The Borrowers series. Rereading the books now, as an adult living with an infant to whom I may someday read them, I do understand why they're no longer popular with youthful folk. For one, compared to your best-selling teenage fantasy series about wizards, vampire lovers, and the zombie apocalypse, they're rather boring. I mean, the book is essentially a comedy of the manners of the pint-sized bourgeoisie. For another, the characters are so fussy. Fortunately, in this volume Norton allows the mother character, Homily, to loosen up a bit and even tramp around for awhile in her petticoat. This is probably the least notable installment so far -- which explains why I hardly remember it -- but I do confess the climactic stand-off between the Borrowers and Mild Eye, the Gypsy, really had me turning the pages. Why the antagonist needs to be so strongly racialized, well, I'm in a charitable mood tonight, so I'll leave that issue be.
—Dusty
There's no place like home, unless it is someone else's home. Of course, other people's homes are a borrower’s normal habitat, but when it is necessary to move in with other borrowers, though they be relatives, even the most congenial of situations can lead to strained relations. What is remarkable about the borrower books is how true Mary Norton keeps to her characters whether she they are in the midst of socially awkward situations, or are caught up in the ferocity of nature, or are in danger of being captured by humans. Although they do not claim to be human (and some are very affronted at the very thought), they are ultimately ever so human, which makes them so endearing to us.
—Phillip
