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nicoleankenmann's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook: 06hr 19m
The charm of this novel surprised me. The main character is so sweet-natured, kind-hearted, and relentlessly optimistic that I understand how her name became associated with a rose-coloured-glasses-type airhead. She isn't that, though. She's a young girl who, in the face of a cruel world, is determined to find and share the silver linings. It is determination, not naivete that keeps a smile on her face.
I find myself admiring that.
The charm of this novel surprised me. The main character is so sweet-natured, kind-hearted, and relentlessly optimistic that I understand how her name became associated with a rose-coloured-glasses-type airhead. She isn't that, though. She's a young girl who, in the face of a cruel world, is determined to find and share the silver linings. It is determination, not naivete that keeps a smile on her face.
I find myself admiring that.
lgpiper's review against another edition
4.0
This was a surprisingly good book. Pollyanna is not an insipid character. Rather, she is a strong, young woman who makes a game of finding silver linings in gray clouds. But more importantly, by her irrepressibly, she brings a town full of repressed, early 20th-century Yankees, into people who begin to find themselves able to "count their blessings" (as my grandmother might say it). Pollyanna has a glad game. When something happens, she ponders what is it about that happening for which one can be glad? Sort of along the line, "I'm glad I had my accident, because it enabled two estranged lovers to reconnect". Well, it sounds a bit silly and saccharin, but Pollyanna has a way of making it more sensible.
Referring to someone as a Pollyanna has become, in our cynical society, a rather pejorative term. We now think of Pollyannas as being mindlessly cheerful and insipid. But if people could reconnect with the original Pollyanna, perhaps they'd see that being upbeat doesn't necessarily require one to be insipid.
The only real problem I had with this book, a cognitive one on my part, is that Pollyanna was continually referred to as being a "little girl". Well, she was 11. Even as late as the 1950s, girls of 11 were only removed by a year or two from the age at which their parents could marry them off in some states (like New Hampshire, for example). It's weird how our perceptions change.
Referring to someone as a Pollyanna has become, in our cynical society, a rather pejorative term. We now think of Pollyannas as being mindlessly cheerful and insipid. But if people could reconnect with the original Pollyanna, perhaps they'd see that being upbeat doesn't necessarily require one to be insipid.
The only real problem I had with this book, a cognitive one on my part, is that Pollyanna was continually referred to as being a "little girl". Well, she was 11. Even as late as the 1950s, girls of 11 were only removed by a year or two from the age at which their parents could marry them off in some states (like New Hampshire, for example). It's weird how our perceptions change.
erin89's review against another edition
1.0
It's just like "Anne of Green Gables" except with a ridiculously annoying main character.
amyrosabelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lerochkabelochka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sdmomof5boys's review against another edition
4.0
This is a case where I love the (Disney) movie more than the book. But it is such a sweet story and a great reminder what good a positive attitude and cheerfulness does for a person and especially for those they come in contact with. Be glad.
haleybeck's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this. What an example Pollyanna is of having a godly, positive attitude no matter what. I aspire to be like Pollyanna and leave the mark of joy and gratitude on all that I meet.
19paws's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a slightly unfair advantage because the character Pollyanna will always be associated in my mind with Hayley Mills. I wonder if I would have liked it somewhat less if not for the Hayley factor. It doesn’t matter; it was fun to read—a nice sentimental old-fashioned story.