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When Marnie Was There

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When Marnie Was There

By: Joan G. Robinson
Narrated by: Jan Francis
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Summary

A major motion picture adaptation by Studio Ghibli, creators of SPIRITED AWAY and ARRIETTY.

Anna hasn’t a friend in the world – until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn’t all she seems…

Sent away from her foster home one long, hot summer to a sleepy Norfolk village by the sea, Anna dreams her days away among the sandhills and marshes.

She never expected to meet a friend like Marnie, someone who doesn’t judge Anna for being ordinary and not-even-trying. But no sooner has Anna learned the loveliness of friendship than Marnie vanishes…

©2015 Joan G. Robinson (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Action & Adventure Classics Literature & Fiction Fiction
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Critic reviews

“Beautifully planned, hauntingly written, these chapters hold a thrilling intensity… The most striking novel in its genre since Tom’s Midnight Garden”
Times Literary Supplement

“Extraordinarily potent fantasy… the climax is both thrilling and intensely moving.”
The Spectator

“Deeply perceptive”
Children’s Book News
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed the Studio Ghibli film, and was interested to learn it was based on a novel. The film and novel are very similar, save for the transposing to England here rather than Japan, and some slight plot differences towards the end. Both deal with mental health, parenting and neglect, and coming of age issues with subtlety, and the plot is inventive, warm and magical.

Anna is a really great character: she's got the teenage spunk, but she's also quiet and reserved, and not part of the popular clique at school, which I think most readers will relate to. And the novel definitely reads like it's on Anna's side, like the author was taking issue with how children were treated by adults. It feels on the side of young people in general, even today, which I think is impressive.

The novel feels more teen-orientated than the film, which I think is squarely aimed at adults (like most Ghibli films). I think it's because in the novel we have access to Anna's thoughts, which brings the teenage point of view to bear much more strongly; in the film, Anna comes across more quiet and contemplative (except when she's with Marnie of course), and so it has a less frenetic feel, more suited to adult tastes.

I felt in the novel that the plot of Anna transitioning between worlds (be that literally, or in her daydreams) was a little less plausible; I think because we have access to her thoughts, it begs why she wouldn't be more questioning of what was happening. In the film, without these thoughts, the audience I think is more inclined to roll with it, and perhaps assume Anna is confused as to what is happening, even if she's not voicing it. (Notably though in the film, the visuals work well to obscure the transition, which perhaps makes Anna's acceptance of it more believable.)

The novel was written in the 1960s, and the scenes with Marnie are set even further in the past - as a result it feels a little more old-fashioned than the film, like the adventures of the Famous Five, and which the voice performance also accentuates. The film to me has more modern sensibilities in its dialogue.

A final word on a difference between the book and the film: In the film I definitely felt like I was getting vibes of Anna and Marnie being attracted to one another in more than just friendship. Perhaps my wife and I read too much into it, but we both detected that, and thought it was incredibly refreshing to see in a drama about young people - certainly a lesbian or gay relationship is not something I think I've seen in any other Studio Ghibli film so far. The novel here felt like it was definitely friendship only, which is fine, and perhaps speaks to the time it was written as well. But still, I was hoping the novel may even explore their relationship on a deeper level, so I was a little disappointed.

Side note: The info page on Audible says the novel is abridged, yet the artwork says unabridged. I'm not sure which is right, but given the narrative I experienced, I felt like I got the whole story.

Tender, nuanced and clever novel for young adults

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l love this story and even named my daughter Marnie as I love the name too!

brilliant!

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if you like the book, check out the Studio Ghibli film. Their last, and one of their best films.

A beautiful tale.

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I first heard this book when I was a child listening to the BBC’s Jackanory. One of my favourite programmes as a child. The story never left me and so having joined Audible, I was pleased to see it and listened again.
This adaptation delivered everything I could have asked for. Jan Francis, who I’ve always admired, reads the story exactly as I would have read it myself and this added to the nostalgia I felt hearing it again.
The story itself covers loneliness and overcoming some of life’s most challenging difficulties. It shows that with a little bit of care and understanding, we can reach out to others and make their lives a little better. It also delves into mental health issues, bullying and loss. Although it is clearly written in another time during the 1960’s I believe, many of the issues are still as prevalent today as ever. It’s a lovely story and one I treasure.
On another side note, I wish the creators of the music and the artwork had been credited here. I would love to have that piece of music to listen to and the artwork is beautiful and whimsical.

Beautiful and Haunting

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This is a great book that I discovered through the Studio Ghibli film adaptation. I loved the film so decided to read the book and it was even better! It is a great book that leaves certain elements of the plot to the readers imagination. The narrator is brilliant and this is overall a great audiobook!!! :)

I love it!

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