The Enchanted Castle (ISBN 1598181734)

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A short avenue of cypresses led, widening as it went, to a marble terrace that lay broad and white in the sunlight. The children, blinking, leaned their arms on the broad, flat balustrade and gazed. Immediately below them was a lake just like a lake in "The Beauties of Italy" a lake with swans and an island and weeping willows.

This children's classic enchanted me ... Brilliant!:
I've always been enraptured by children's books with magic in them, especially when the author writes about ordinary children, weaving magic into the plot with such ease that it's entirely believable. I found this book in a collection of my granddaughter's childhood books, was out of reading material, so picked it up just for a quick glance. Well, that "quick glance" turned into several hours of pure reading pleasure as I followed elder brother Gerald, his sister Kathleen, and younger brother Jimmy through a cave that ends in a magical garden surrounding an enchanted castle. When they meet a "sleeping princess" who is not really a princess, but the niece of ... well, that would be a spoiler if I told you more, so I'll refrain from temptation. Who is this mysterious girl named Mable who leads them on a tour of the castle, showing them some of its mysteries? Are the jewels she conjures real or figments of their imagination? What does a magical ring have to do with it? And how do they become invisible? And just where is the elusive owner of the castle and what connection does he have with the French mistress of Kathleen's school who is in charge of the children for the summer? Those questions and more are answered by this fantastic author, Edith Nesbitt, in the most charming, believable way. Her writing style is impeccable. This children's classic was written almost a century before the great HARRY POTTER books, with the adventures being just as original and exciting. THE ENCHANTED CASTLE has everything, including a heart-breaking, old-fashioned love story. This book held me captive from beginning to end and is written in the style of Edith Nesbit's most popular book, FIVE CHILDREN AND IT! A must read for all kids ... and kids at heart, like you and me!

So much better than Harry Potter:
A wonderful, wonderful book. One of the best things about it is that it creates a true, multi-dimensional, believable moral universe. This book steers clear both of the syrupy too-goodness of the Little Lord Fauntleroy and the moral blah-ness of Harry Potter. HP's world (and I've read all of them except for the last politically-correct one) is morally flat; villains do terrible things simply because they are villains, and while racism is appropriately execrated, lying does not even register as a moral choice: everyone does it, including figures of authority like Dumbledore, without a moment's thought. In contrast, in The Enchanted Castle things like lying, stealing, courage vs. cowardice, kindness vs. meanness to others are not assumed away but processed, reflected on: was this lying and when is it OK to lie, was he kind to her just then, etc. And the quality of the writing is outstanding, the language is a delight. This is Literature... HP is mere fiction.

Delightful:
This is a really enjoyable work, truly magical. I just wish we had more children's books like this one and more writers like Edith Nesbit. The children discover a magic ring but their wishes come true in a way they never wanted or expected. One of the best children's books I have read.

A memorable treasure:
I read this book more than fifty years ago when I was a child and have never forgotten it. How wonderful it is to see that it is available at Amazon! It has everything...humor, mystery, a little bit of romance, but best of all...MAGIC!

A Hundred Years Later, it Still Rocks:
I can't believe this book was written over a hundred years ago! Wow. It's still sooo good. Some kids may take a bit of time getting used to, and understanding, the English as spoken at the time, but after 30 or so pages, it won't be a big deal. But note, there are some pretty old-fashioned and bizarre turns of the phrase; for today's American kids anyway. Strong characters, funny situations, good story, nice resolution and really great writing make this a must-read. Cheerio.