My Featured Novel
I. About the Novel: The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows is a children's novel by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animals in a pastoral version of England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie and celebrated for its evocation of the nature of the Thames valley.
In 1908, Grahame retired from his position as secretary of the Bank of England. He moved back to Berkshire, where he had lived as a child and spent his time by the River Thames doing much as the animal characters in his book do—namely, as one of the phrases from the book says, "simply messing about in boats"— and expanding the bedtime stories he had earlier told his son Alistair into a manuscript for the book.
The novel was in its thirty-first printing when playwright A. A. Milne adapted a part of it for the stage as Toad of Toad Hall in 1929. In 2003, The Wind in the Willows was listed at number 16 on the BBC's survey The Big Read.
II. Versions of the Novel in the Mass Media
A. Stage Versions
Toad of Toad Hall by A. A. Milne, produced in 1929
Wind in the Willows, a 1985 Tony-nominated Broadway musical with book by Jane Iredale, lyrics by Roger McGough and music by William P. Perry, starring Nathan Lane
The Wind in the Willows by Alan Bennett (who also appeared as Mole) in 1991
Mr. Toad's Mad Adventures by Vera Morris
Wind in the Willows (UK National Tour) by Ian Billings
The Wind in the Willows,[11] two stage adaptations—a full musical adaptation and a small-scale, shorter, stage play version—by David Gooderson.
The Wind in the Willows[12] by George Stiles, Anthony Drewe and Julian Fellowes which will open at Theatre Royal Plymouth in October 2016 before playing at The Lowry, Salford and then the West End.
B. Film and television Versions
https://youtu.be/mhK50Lg8hFM
Toad of Toad Hall the first live action film of the novel. Adapted by Michael Barry for BBC Television and transmitted live in 1946. The film featured (in alphabetical order) Julia Braddock as Marigold, Kenneth More as Mr. Badger, Jack Newmark as Mole, Andrew Osborn as Water Rat, Jon Pertwee as the Judge, Alan Reid as Mr. Toad, John Thomas and Victor Woolf as Alfred the Horse, Madoline Thomas as Mother, and an uncredited Pat Pleasanse as various Rats, Weasels and Mice.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, a 1949 animated adaptation produced by Walt Disney, narrated by Basil Rathbone. One half of the animated feature was based on the unrelated short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
The Wind in the Willows, a 1969 adaptation of the story produced by Anglia Television, told by still illustrations by artist John Worsley. The story was adapted, produced and narrated by Paul Honeyman and directed by John Salway.
The Reluctant Dragon and Mr. Toad Show, a 1970 TV animated series produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, based on both The Reluctant Dragon and The Wind in the Willows.
The Wind in the Willows, a 1983 animated film version with stop-motion puppets by Cosgrove Hall.
The Wind in the Willows, a TV series (1984–1990) following the 1983 film, using the same sets and characters in mostly original stories but also including some chapters from the book that were omitted in the film, notably "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn". The cast included David Jason, Sir Michael Hordern, Peter Sallis and Ian Carmichael.
The Wind in the Willows, a 1985 animated musical film version for television, produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. This version was very faithful to the book and featured a number of original songs, including the title, "Wind in the Willows", performed by folk singer Judy Collins. Voice actors included Eddie Bracken as Mole, Jose Ferrer as Badger, Roddy McDowell as Ratty, and Charles Nelson Reilly as Toad.[13]
Wind in the Willows, a 1988 animated made for TV film by Burbank Films Australia and adapted by Leonard Lee.
The Adventures of Mole, a 1995 animated made for TV film with a cast including Hugh Laurie as Toad, Richard Briers and Peter Davison as Ratty and Mole respectively and Paul Eddington as Badger. Was followed by The Adventures of Toad.
The Wind in the Willows, a 1995 animated film adaptation with a cast led by Michael Palin and Alan Bennett as Ratty and Mole, Rik Mayall as Toad and Michael Gambon as Badger; followed by an adaptation of The Willows in Winter produced by the now defunct TVC (Television Cartoons) in London.[14]
The Wind in the Willows, a 1996 live-action film written and directed by Terry Jones starring Steve Coogan as Mole, Eric Idle as Rat, and Terry Jones as Mr. Toad.
The Wind in the Willows, another live-action film in 2006 with Lee Ingleby as Mole, Mark Gatiss as Ratty, Matt Lucas as Toad, Bob Hoskins as Badger, and also featuring Imelda Staunton, Anna Maxwell Martin, Mary Walsh and Michael Murphy
In 2003, Guillermo del Toro was working on an adaptation for Disney. It was to mix live action with CG animation, and the director explained why he had to leave the helm. "It was a beautiful book, and then I went to meet with the executives and they said, 'Could you give Toad a skateboard and make him say, 'radical dude' things,' and that's when I said, 'It's been a pleasure...'"[15]
In 2014, Classic Alice took the titular character on a 6 episode reimagining of The Wind in the Willows. Reid Cox played Toad, Kate Hackett and Tony Noto served as loose Badger/Ratty/Mole characters.
III. About the Author:Kenneth Grahame
IV. My Reaction to The Wind in the Willows
A. Summary
This is the story of friends-Toad,Rat,Mole,Badger.Rat loves the river.Mole is often afraid.Badger likes to stay at home.But Toad is always looking for new adventures-and some of his ideas are dangerous.
A. Reaction Point - character
Rat is strong and brave and loves the river.
Mole is afraid of things.
Toad is always looking for exciting new adventure.
B. Reaction Point - scene
C. Reaction Point - Personification
D. My General Opinion
I like this story.Because,cast is animal and the character is various and fascinating.
Hi Sae. I read your blog.
返信削除I think that it is very good about the novel and the author. However, I want to read your general opinion.