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juliebihn's review against another edition
It isn't the big troubles in life that require character. Anybody can rise to a crisis and face a crushing tragedy with courage, but to meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh--I really think that requires SPIRIT.
I'm not very well-read, so I knew very little about this book going in. I was very surprised that a book from 1912 (and an epistolary book at that!) could be so accessible and seem almost modern. Imagine my shock when our plucky heroine twice enjoys "chicken and waffles"!
Jerusha's musings are filled with amusing lines, including a few jabs/complaints about the lack of women's suffrage:
Or this one is so snarky!
Or this one, which could be a Twilight Zone episode:
But maybe I was most surprised that a book from 1912 could get away with a few lines that strike this modern reader as going one step farther than mere irreverence:
(There may or may not be some literary significance there since Jerusha is writing all of her letters to a mostly benevolent man she's never met--she doesn't even know his name--so she's imagining him...but still!)
I will say that I put the eBook from Project Gutenberg on my Kindle to read it, and it omitted the illustrations. I only later looked up the illustrations, upon finding out that this is often classified as a children's book (reading it without the illustrations, I had no idea!). I do find the illustrations charming overall! But the book hit me very differently when I saw simple drawings by a childish college girl, given the ending,
Oh, and how depressing that she can sell a short story for! Many markets pay that today, in 2022 dollars. And last I checked, a shop girl of the era made about $7 a week...!
I think I've started rambling, too. Sorry about that! I found this a quick and breezy read, and I think anyone with any interest in the 1910s or history in general will find it worth a look. I'd probably also recommend it to anyone wanting to write an epistolary novel, or a slice-of-life novel, or if they just want to work on their first-person voice.
I'm not very well-read, so I knew very little about this book going in. I was very surprised that a book from 1912 (and an epistolary book at that!) could be so accessible and seem almost modern. Imagine my shock when our plucky heroine twice enjoys "chicken and waffles"!
Jerusha's musings are filled with amusing lines, including a few jabs/complaints about the lack of women's suffrage:
The only way I can ever repay you is by turning out a Very Useful Citizen (Are women citizens? I don't suppose they are.) Anyway, a Very Useful Person.
Or this one is so snarky!
I don't suppose it matters in the least whether they are stupid or not so long as they are pretty? One can't help thinking, though, how their conversation will bore their husbands, unless they are fortunate enough to obtain stupid husbands. I suppose that's quite possible; the world seems to be filled with stupid men; I've met a number this summer.
Or this one, which could be a Twilight Zone episode:
Don't you think it would be interesting if you really could read the story of your life--written perfectly truthfully by an omniscient author? And suppose you could only read it on this condition: that you would never forget it, but would have to go through life knowing ahead of time exactly how everything you did would turn out, and foreseeing to the exact hour the time when you would die. How many people do you suppose would have the courage to read it then? or how many could suppress their curiosity sufficiently to escape from reading it, even at the price of having to live without hope and without surprises?
But maybe I was most surprised that a book from 1912 could get away with a few lines that strike this modern reader as going one step farther than mere irreverence:
I find that it isn't safe to discuss religion with the Semples. Their God (whom they have inherited intact from their remote Puritan ancestors) is a narrow, irrational, unjust, mean, revengeful, bigoted Person. Thank heaven I don't inherit God from anybody! I am free to make mine up as I wish Him. He's kind and sympathetic and imaginative and forgiving and understanding--and He has a sense of humour.
(There may or may not be some literary significance there since Jerusha is writing all of her letters to a mostly benevolent man she's never met--she doesn't even know his name--so she's imagining him...but still!)
I will say that I put the eBook from Project Gutenberg on my Kindle to read it, and it omitted the illustrations. I only later looked up the illustrations, upon finding out that this is often classified as a children's book (reading it without the illustrations, I had no idea!). I do find the illustrations charming overall! But the book hit me very differently when I saw simple drawings by a childish college girl, given the ending,
Spoiler
although the ending didn't really come as a surprise to this modern reader. But I was uncomfortable with the age gap to begin with, and the drawings somehow amplify it to me and make it even creepier.Oh, and how depressing that she can sell a short story for
Spoiler
$50I think I've started rambling, too. Sorry about that! I found this a quick and breezy read, and I think anyone with any interest in the 1910s or history in general will find it worth a look. I'd probably also recommend it to anyone wanting to write an epistolary novel, or a slice-of-life novel, or if they just want to work on their first-person voice.
55_sallymander's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars, Favorite
I have had a hardback copy of this book for many, many years. It is the 2nd oldest book in my family library. 1912 goes back to a simpler time. I recently came across an eBook edition from the Gutenberg Project, which I am thankful for, except that the eBook copy doesn't include Judy's delightful drawings.
Jerusha (Judy) Abbott is a foundling who spent all of her 18 years in an orphan's asylum called the John Grier Home. She doesn't know what the future holds or where she will go next. Most children are sent away from the orphanage at 16.
She finds out that she has a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous, but she saw a fleeting glimpse of his shadow and instead of calling him Mr. John Smith as he wished, she renames him as Daddy Long Legs.
The mysterious benefactor wishes to send her to college to become an author. All of the doors of society are opened to Judy, she writes monthly to Daddy Long Legs to tell him of her studies and adventures.
Highly recommend for young adults, women of any age, and anyone else who enjoys a well written story.
#DaddyLongLegs #JeanWebster #ProjectGutenberg #YoungAdult #HistoricalFiction
I have had a hardback copy of this book for many, many years. It is the 2nd oldest book in my family library. 1912 goes back to a simpler time. I recently came across an eBook edition from the Gutenberg Project, which I am thankful for, except that the eBook copy doesn't include Judy's delightful drawings.
Jerusha (Judy) Abbott is a foundling who spent all of her 18 years in an orphan's asylum called the John Grier Home. She doesn't know what the future holds or where she will go next. Most children are sent away from the orphanage at 16.
She finds out that she has a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous, but she saw a fleeting glimpse of his shadow and instead of calling him Mr. John Smith as he wished, she renames him as Daddy Long Legs.
The mysterious benefactor wishes to send her to college to become an author. All of the doors of society are opened to Judy, she writes monthly to Daddy Long Legs to tell him of her studies and adventures.
Highly recommend for young adults, women of any age, and anyone else who enjoys a well written story.
#DaddyLongLegs #JeanWebster #ProjectGutenberg #YoungAdult #HistoricalFiction
ricefun's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe that I missed this Young Adult classic for so long, but am very glad I’ve read it now. What a delightful story - and such a powerful female voice written in the early 1900’s. I am sure that “Judy” has been an inspiration for girls for many generations.
I was inspired to pick this book up after the college I work for performed the stage play this past fall. I actually have a bookshelf in my house from the set of this play and it makes me smile each time I look at it.
I was inspired to pick this book up after the college I work for performed the stage play this past fall. I actually have a bookshelf in my house from the set of this play and it makes me smile each time I look at it.
patrizreads's review against another edition
4.0
The range of vocabulary and varying writing style in this book is superb. You can definitely feel Judy growing up into a lady.
booked_mind_'s review against another edition
4.0
"sometimes a dreadful fear comes over me that I'm not a genius"
did this book hit me right in the middle of my daddy issues? yes. did i fully sympathise with the main character and did i adore every bit of her? yes and yes. but at the same time was it an incredibly questionable read considering the ending? unfortunately, yes. am i endeared or repulsed? this is the first time in quite a while when my feelings about a book are so mixed even though it's so vibrant and obviously brilliant.
did this book hit me right in the middle of my daddy issues? yes. did i fully sympathise with the main character and did i adore every bit of her? yes and yes. but at the same time was it an incredibly questionable read considering the ending? unfortunately, yes. am i endeared or repulsed? this is the first time in quite a while when my feelings about a book are so mixed even though it's so vibrant and obviously brilliant.
aya_yuuki's review against another edition
3.0
I used to watch a cartoon in the local channel before titled "Judy Abbott." Afterwards, I learned that it was actually from a novel. I liked how real Jerusha Abbott sounds in her letters. Unfortunately, in real life, she's someone I wouldn't want to be friends with. She's irritating. And the whole Daddy Long Legs/Jervis Pendleton thing is just creepy.
shaekin's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great book! This has been on my to read list for a long time and it did not disappoint. The letters written by the main character are funny and snarky. So glad I finally got to read this.
nehalism's review against another edition
5.0
" I know lots of girls (Julia, for instance) who never know that they are happy. They are so accustomed to the feeling that their senses are deadened to it; but as for me—I am perfectly sure every moment of my life that I am happy. And I'm going to keep on being, no matter what unpleasant things turn up. I'm going to regard them (even toothaches) as interesting experiences, and be glad to know what they feel like.
`Whatever sky's above me, I've a heart for any fate.' "
`Whatever sky's above me, I've a heart for any fate.' "
langwidere's review
the central romance of daddy long legs has soured a bit with age, i think, but i didn’t find that it took away from my enjoyment of the book. i like epistolary novels to begin with, & found the plot charming. judy is a great, fully realized character & very fun. i honestly find the romance still works for me, especially since it’s not a huge part of the story.
i can see how dear enemy has aged even more poorly—there are subjects it touches upon that daddy long legs does not, and as such we’re forced to contend with its early 20th century-ness. honestly i just think it’s less strong of a book. sequels usually are? main characters less likable, plot not exactly gripping, themes muddled. still had a great time broadly speaking even as parts of it made me a bit uncomfortable. fun lil bedtime read.
i can see how dear enemy has aged even more poorly—there are subjects it touches upon that daddy long legs does not, and as such we’re forced to contend with its early 20th century-ness. honestly i just think it’s less strong of a book. sequels usually are? main characters less likable, plot not exactly gripping, themes muddled. still had a great time broadly speaking even as parts of it made me a bit uncomfortable. fun lil bedtime read.