Mary Poppins by P L Travers #inbetweeny

I have watched this film every Christmas, in fact I think we actually have the DVD somewhere but I have never read the book. It was a Christmas present from my in laws which I was surprised and delighted to receive as it had never occurred to me that there was a Mary Poppins book yet now I had it to read!

Not being aware of the book I researched (googled) Travers and discovered what an interesting life she has led. Books have been written about her (well at Least one – Mary Poppins She Wrote) which I would read if it happened to pass my lap.

Anyway the actual book – a pink candy striped hardback was slim with decent sized text so only took a couple of days train trips to work and back read. Included were the iconic parts of the film such as 'Tuppence A Bag' and Bert with his drawings that come to life but other parts were missed out, notably a spoonful of sugar and I missed the singing and dancing. Granted you can't really make a musical into a book but the spirit of the film, joyful sequences where the neighbouring canon fire requires all hands on deck were missing.

There were also rather large differences in the book such as Michael and Jane had twin siblings and Mary Poppins came across as quite self engrossed and moody.

I struggled with working out what the lessons to be learned were meant to be in each chapter, for example the buying of the gingerbread. The chapters certainly weren't as clear as you would expect a children's book to be. I'm sad to admit that the fact the book was a children's book was its main problem. It was very very much a children's book with nothing in it for adults to relate to and as I was left feeling deflated that there wasn’t more to offer.

Overall if you haven’t read the book by the age of 12 I would say give it a miss and watch the film instead. I've passed it on to my 8 year old to read as I think she will get much more enjoyment out of it than me and for that reason it will probably stay on the shelf. I'm pleased I have read it but I won't be recommending it, to adults.

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Cramlington Book Club

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