Book Review: When Marnie Was There

April 25, 2019

a laptop and a book on the table

Last September 2017, my boyfriend went to Japan and got me bunch of stuff including this When Marnie Was There book. Imagine how happy I was when he gave me this book! As you know, I’m a die-hard Studio Ghibli fan ever since I first saw My Neighbor Totoro ages ago. But since I have a lot on my plate at that time, I decided to put this book in my tbr shelf. It was until last year that I decided to pick up the book and read it for the first time.

Title: When Marnie Was There
Author: Joan G. Robinson
Publication: April 2nd 2002 by Harper Collins (first published 1967)
Genre: Children’s Fiction / Time Slip

When Marnie Was There is about an introverted orphan child named Anna. She was sent to live with the Peggs, the kindly older couple who took her in and gave her the freedom she wanted. Anna is an isolated lonely little girl who doesn't know how to make friends and has given up trying. While there, Anna spent her days exploring the sea, dunes, and marshes. She was particularly entranced by the Marsh House. Until one day, she met a mysterious young girl named Marnie and became friends with her. As they spend time together, Anna became happier and she learns how to give and accept affection to the people around her. The loneliness of both Anna and Marnie brought them together, and although Anna sometimes can't understand Marnie, she has accepted it and maybe even knew all along that Marnie may not be real. 

Favorite quote from the book:
“It was raining harder now and she was beginning to get wet, but it did not matter. She was warm inside. She turned and began running back along the dyke, thinking how strange it was—about being ‘inside’ or ‘outside’. It was nothing to do with there being other people, or whether you were ‘an only’, or one of a large family... she knew that now—it was something to do with how you were feeling inside yourself.” 

After rewatching the movie again, I feel like giving the book a review here. There are minor changes that happened in the movie, but it didn't affect the plot at all. And although I already knew the plot-twist and how the story-line would wrap up, It still never fail to give me waves of emotions and a tear-streaked face while reading it. As an introvert myself, I can definitely relate to Anna—of how the she felt being ‘outside’ looking towards the people ‘inside’. But you know, it gets better over time, especially if you found the right people who you can be ‘inside with’—which Anna did.

Rate:

★★★★★



Share This Story

Tags: ,

You Might Also Like

19 comments

  1. sonia // daring cocoApril 24, 2019 at 3:20 PM

    This sounds like an interesting read. I am also a fellow introvert.

    Sxx
    daringcoco.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Only Yesterday BlogApril 25, 2019 at 7:44 PM

      Aww nice to know a fellow introvert here :) Thank you, Sonia!

      Delete
  2. JenniferApril 24, 2019 at 6:06 PM

    This book sounds good!!

    Jennifer
    Effortlessly Sophisticated

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Only Yesterday BlogApril 25, 2019 at 7:44 PM

      Definitely! One of the best books I read last year.

      Delete
  3. AdrienneApril 24, 2019 at 7:03 PM

    This honestly does sound like an interesting read. I’ve never heard of it before however like you I too can relate to the feeling of being outside and looking inside. I’m happy that it seems like the story ends well lol I guess I’ll have to read/watch. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carolina G. TicalaApril 25, 2019 at 1:53 AM

    Todo es estupendo! Gracias por pasarte por mi blog! 🌻🌻🌻

    ReplyDelete
  5. LianaLaurieApril 25, 2019 at 1:59 AM

    What a wonderful post ♥ ♥ ♥ The book sounds amazing!
    Hugs from Germany!

    ReplyDelete
  6. HariRariApril 25, 2019 at 3:17 PM

    I'd love to read it, as an introvert I relate to Anna too ^^
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Only Yesterday BlogApril 25, 2019 at 7:46 PM

    Yaay! You'll surely enjoy this book!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nina KobiApril 26, 2019 at 6:27 AM

    This book sounds wonderful, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    Nina's Style Blog

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Bandwagon ChicApril 26, 2019 at 1:53 PM

    Love this review.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Much Love,
    BLOG | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

    ReplyDelete
  10. LauraApril 26, 2019 at 3:27 PM

    I have yet to read it, so thank you for the review x

    Laura
    https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. FashionRadi April 27, 2019 at 7:22 AM

    So sweet of your boyfriend! <3

    www.fashionradi.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. RUTH FASHION DIARYApril 27, 2019 at 7:56 AM

    This book definitely sounds like a good read.Thanks for sharing this review.

    ReplyDelete
  13. NyxieMay 4, 2019 at 11:58 PM

    This seems like a wonderful book and I honestly can't wait to check it out. It's officially on my TBR list!

    - Nyxie

    https://www.nyxiesnook.com/8-ways-to-boss-the-exam-seasons/

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your time! Your thoughts about this post are highly appreciated. I read each of them and respond as much as I can. And don't forget to click 'NOTIFY ME' so you can read my reply. ♥