The Borrowers (novel)
Mary Norton published The Borrowers in 1952 through Dent. This children's fantasy novel introduced a family of tiny people living secretly within the walls and floors of an English house. They survive by borrowing small items from the big people who own the home. Harcourt, Brace and Company released the American edition in 1953 with illustrations by Beth and Joe Krush. The story also appeared in four parts during the summer of 1953 in Woman's Day magazine. Erik Blegvad provided illustrations for that serialized version. Critics recognized the book immediately when it won the 1952 Carnegie Medal from the Library Association. That award honored the year's outstanding children's book written by a British author.
Young Kate sits crocheting a quilt while her aunt Mrs May watches nearby. Kate complains that some of her crochet supplies have gone missing. She wonders where all the small household items that disappear really end up. Mrs May tells Kate about the Borrowers: miniature human-like creatures who live unseen in houses. These beings borrow such items from the human beans that live there. Mrs May goes on to tell the story of how her younger brother once befriended a young Borrower named Arrietty. The frame device allows the narrative to unfold through a conversation between two generations of women. This structure grounds the fantastical elements in a domestic setting before revealing the secret world below the floorboards.
Arrietty Clock lives under the floor beneath a grandfather clock with her parents Pod and Homily. One day Pod comes home shaken from a borrowing expedition. He tells Homily that he has been seen by a human boy sent from India to live with his great-aunt while recovering from an illness. Several days later, Pod invites Arrietty to accompany him on a borrowing trip. Since Arrietty has only ever seen the outdoors through a grating, she is allowed to explore the garden. There she meets the Boy. After some trepidation on both their parts, they strike a bargain. The Boy will bring books if Arrietty reads to him. At one point, Arrietty tells the Boy that the world cannot possibly have enough resources to sustain very many humans. He disagrees and tells her that there are millions of people in India alone.
A. N. Wilson considered the work as in part an allegory of post-war Britain. The story presents a picture of a diminished people living in an old, half-empty, decaying Big House. The Borrowers represent those who have been pushed to the margins of society. Their struggle to find resources mirrors the economic hardships faced by many after World War II. The house itself serves as a symbol of a fading social order. As the human beans move away or die, the Borrowers must adapt or perish. This interpretation adds depth to what might otherwise seem like simple children's adventure fiction. It connects the fantasy elements to real historical conditions affecting British life during that era.
The Borrowers won the 1952 Carnegie Medal from the Library Association. That award recognized the year's outstanding children's book written by a British author. In the 70th anniversary celebration of the medal in 2007, it was named one of the top ten Medal-winning works. A panel selected this title to compose the ballot for a public election of the all-time favourite. The recognition cemented its place among classic children's literature. Later generations continued to discover and appreciate Norton's creation through these honors. The book remains a significant example of mid-twentieth-century British writing for young readers.
Several adaptations of The Borrowers appeared in television and film over the decades. A TV film version arrived in 1973. Another series ran from 1992 to 1993 titled The Borrowers and The Return of the Borrowers. A feature film adaptation came out in 1997. Studio Ghibli released an animated film called Arrietty in 2010. A second TV film followed in 2011. An animated TV series is scheduled to air in 2025. These versions brought the story to new audiences across different formats. Each adaptation reinterpreted the source material while keeping core elements intact. The enduring appeal of the characters continues to inspire creators worldwide.
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Common questions
When was The Borrowers novel published by Mary Norton?
Mary Norton published The Borrowers in 1952 through Dent. This children's fantasy novel introduced a family of tiny people living secretly within the walls and floors of an English house.
Who won the 1952 Carnegie Medal for The Borrowers?
The Borrowers won the 1952 Carnegie Medal from the Library Association. That award honored the year's outstanding children's book written by a British author.
What is the plot summary of The Borrowers story about Arrietty Clock?
Arrietty Clock lives under the floor beneath a grandfather clock with her parents Pod and Homily. She meets a human boy sent from India to live with his great-aunt while recovering from an illness, and they strike a bargain where he brings books if she reads to him.
How does A. N. Wilson interpret The Borrowers as an allegory?
A. N. Wilson considered the work as in part an allegory of post-war Britain. The story presents a picture of a diminished people living in an old, half-empty, decaying Big House representing those pushed to the margins of society.
Which adaptations of The Borrowers have been released since 1973?
Several adaptations of The Borrowers appeared in television and film over the decades including a TV film version in 1973 and another series running from 1992 to 1993 titled The Borrowers and The Return of the Borrowers. Studio Ghibli released an animated film called Arrietty in 2010 and a second TV film followed in 2011.