#Review: (Rupa Classics) A Little Princess by Frances Burnett

RUPA CLASSICS

A Little Princess 
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett 

There is something wonderfully comforting about returning to a classic, especially one you may have first encountered as a child. A Little Princess was exactly that kind of experience for me. I knew the story, of course, but revisiting Sara Crewe as an adult made me notice how much more there is beneath its seemingly simple children’s narrative.

Sara is sent to Miss Minchin’s boarding school in London, where she is initially treated like a little princess because of her father’s wealth. But when her father dies and she is suddenly left penniless, her position changes overnight. From being the privileged girl everyone wants to please, she becomes a servant in the very school where she once lived comfortably. What follows is a story of imagination, dignity, kindness and quiet resilience.

What I particularly loved was Sara’s ability to retain her sense of self even when circumstances strip away almost everything else. Her imagination becomes her refuge, but it is never merely escapism. It helps her remain compassionate when she has every reason to become bitter. Her friendship with Becky, her interactions with Ermengarde and the mysterious benefactor who enters her life add warmth and tenderness to the narrative.

Reading this edition from Rupa was also a lovely experience. The book has that charming old-fashioned feel that suits the story beautifully, while the cover gives the classic a fresh, almost storybook-like appearance.

For me, A Little Princess is ultimately less about being treated like royalty and more about understanding that being a “princess” is a quality of character. You can lose your money, your comfort and your social position, but you don’t have to lose your kindness, dignity or imagination.

Find the book here.