(Book Review) “A little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett

1. Introduction

A Little Princess was published in 1888 by Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett, a British-born American novelist.

A Little Princess, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and The Secret Garden are the three children’s novels of Burnett

This novel gives readers an important question regarding our life. How will we live regardless of whether we are either rich or poor? Do we have unchanging love and kindness in any circumstances?

Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever! Let us pray that his everlasting character may become ours.

2. Summary 

Sara Crewe is the leading role of this novel. Captain Ralph Crewe, Sara’s father, raised Sara by himself in India since his French wife had died.

Ralph started a new business to mine diamonds with his friend, where he invested all his money. Ralph sent his daughter Sara to London to study. Sara went to a strict boarding school run by Miss Minchin, a greedy woman.

Sara was kind to everyone. People there liked her. There was a maid named Becky in Minchin school. All but Sara looked down upon her. Sara and Becky became bosom friends.

One day, Mincin held a big birthday party for Sara. During the party, Mincin heard that Sara’s father had died and was bankrupt.

She immediately stopped the birthday party, threw the orphan Sara out into the attic, and treated her like a maid. Sara had to experience hardships. Sarah was still kind even to mice in the attic.

A man named Carrisford moved into the next door to the school. He had been a close friend and a business partner of Sara’s father, Captain Ralph Crew.

Carrisford had suggested Ralph would invest in a diamond mine. But, Carrisford ran away when the business had failed. He was so sorry to hear that Ralph had died because of him.

He restarted his business and made a big fortune. He was looking for his friend’s daughter, that is, Sara.

Carrisford had an Indian servant named Ram Dass. One day the servant’s monkey went into Sara’s attic. The occasion brought Ram Dass to know Sara.

Ram Dass served food for Sara, even decorated her room. Thanks to the fellowship between Ram Dass and Sara, Carrisford finally learned that Sara was the girl he was longing to find. 

Sara took over her father’s immense inheritance. Sara left Minchin School with Becky. They lived happy lives together.

3. ‎Lessons

(1) What kind of person am I?

Sara did not lose her kindness, even when she fell into trouble. Think about the reason Sara met up with Carrisford. It was from her kindness for the monkey of Ram Dass, the servant of Carrisford.

But, Minchin was the opposite. She got a different attitude, depending on whether someone was rich or poor.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

It means that our kindness should be not depending on who they are. If we are kind only for our profit like a merchant, we cannot say the kindness is our nature. 

Do not lose my goodness, even if it gives me losses. That’s my first prayer from A Little Princess. 

(2) Isn’t your church like Minchin school? 

We hear about some churches operating like Minchin school. They welcome the rich and look down on the poor. Their priority seems to be money, not the Gospel.

Read Mark 12:41-44. It is about a poor widow’s offering. Jesus said, “This poor widow has given more than all the others...she has given everything she had to live on.”

Sara’s kindness reminds me of the poor widow. Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”(Luke 6:20)

If churches stay away from the poor, they will be staying away from Jesus. Let’s pray for our hearts to be open towards the poor. May my heart be not the heart of Minchin, but the heart of the Lord!