Scan barcode
immila's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I’ve read it when i was a teen, and now, in May 2024, i’ve read it again — and i’m so happy that i did!
this book makes me feel as warm and happy as it did ten (or something) years ago.
some parts of this book are certainly dated, but i think it could also age even.
overall, this is still a “feel-good” book that made me feel lighter again (for the duration of reading this book).
and god!! i love judy so much!! little me was certainly in love with her too and didn’t realize that (which is funny for me to think about now).
my 5-star rating is certainly subjective, but i can’t rate this book lower — not with how much joy it brought to me now, when all things seem so bad
this book makes me feel as warm and happy as it did ten (or something) years ago.
some parts of this book are certainly dated, but i think it could also age even.
overall, this is still a “feel-good” book that made me feel lighter again (for the duration of reading this book).
and god!! i love judy so much!! little me was certainly in love with her too and didn’t realize that (which is funny for me to think about now).
my 5-star rating is certainly subjective, but i can’t rate this book lower — not with how much joy it brought to me now, when all things seem so bad
bennybooks's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
She is literally my favorite protagonist in all of fiction
And I’m exceptionally happy that it’s the same as the musical
And I’m exceptionally happy that it’s the same as the musical
cecilevk's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dei2dei's review against another edition
Didn't find the protagonist interesting, and since it was all epistolary, that was a necessary component: there wasn't anyone else who could take the narrative burden.
rabluema's review against another edition
5.0
على انها على شكل رسائل الا إنها ممتعه وما حسيت بأي ملل وكنت مستمتعة جدًا
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audio book narrated by Julia Whelan.
Jerusha (Judy) Abbott is an orphan who has been raised at the John Grier Home. Being the oldest orphan, she is in charge of the younger children. Children are usually released from the Home at age sixteen. Jerusha, having excelled at school was allowed to go to the village for high school, and kept on at the Home two years past the usual time frame. But this exception, too, must come to an end. An unusual offer has come to her, however. In the past, one of the Home’s trustee’s has sometimes helped a particularly bright boy by paying his college tuition. This year, one of Jerusha’s essays has captured this benefactor’s attention, and he has agreed to pay her college tuition for four years. He will remain anonymous, but does require that she write to him monthly – not to thank him, but to tell him of her experiences, much as she would write to her parents.
So begins this delightful book of letters from Judy to the man she knows as “Mr John Smith,” but whom she affectionately calls Daddy Longs Legs (or just Dear Daddy). The reader witnesses her growth from an immature but exuberant young girl to an accomplished and delightful young woman as her horizons are broadened by all she learns. My only complaint is with the unrealistic (and somewhat abrupt) ending. I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t say more about that. I’m guessing this is a difference in styles and expectations from the time when it was first published – 100 years ago in 1912.
Julia Whelan does a wonderful job of performing the book. Her enthusiasm as Jerusha is introduced to experiences she hadn’t even dreamed about is infectious. Also, she perfectly voices Judy’s genuine need to explain herself and her continual questioning of her benefactor for some guidance and answers. What the audio cannot convey, however, are the illustrations that the text contains. These are drawings the author, herself, included in the original, and I think they add to the charm of the book. So, if you are going to listen … get a copy of the text so you can at least see the drawings that are referred to.
Jerusha (Judy) Abbott is an orphan who has been raised at the John Grier Home. Being the oldest orphan, she is in charge of the younger children. Children are usually released from the Home at age sixteen. Jerusha, having excelled at school was allowed to go to the village for high school, and kept on at the Home two years past the usual time frame. But this exception, too, must come to an end. An unusual offer has come to her, however. In the past, one of the Home’s trustee’s has sometimes helped a particularly bright boy by paying his college tuition. This year, one of Jerusha’s essays has captured this benefactor’s attention, and he has agreed to pay her college tuition for four years. He will remain anonymous, but does require that she write to him monthly – not to thank him, but to tell him of her experiences, much as she would write to her parents.
So begins this delightful book of letters from Judy to the man she knows as “Mr John Smith,” but whom she affectionately calls Daddy Longs Legs (or just Dear Daddy). The reader witnesses her growth from an immature but exuberant young girl to an accomplished and delightful young woman as her horizons are broadened by all she learns. My only complaint is with the unrealistic (and somewhat abrupt) ending. I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t say more about that. I’m guessing this is a difference in styles and expectations from the time when it was first published – 100 years ago in 1912.
Julia Whelan does a wonderful job of performing the book. Her enthusiasm as Jerusha is introduced to experiences she hadn’t even dreamed about is infectious. Also, she perfectly voices Judy’s genuine need to explain herself and her continual questioning of her benefactor for some guidance and answers. What the audio cannot convey, however, are the illustrations that the text contains. These are drawings the author, herself, included in the original, and I think they add to the charm of the book. So, if you are going to listen … get a copy of the text so you can at least see the drawings that are referred to.
angiec13's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was an absolute delight. It's charming, funny, and wise, not to mention a nice change from the types of books I normally read. As a firm believer in the power of education, I also loved seeing Judy's growth as her college experience opened up a world of opportunities for her.
saycheeze37's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
cransell's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
shareen17's review against another edition
4.0
How did I make it through my childhood without reading this book? Charming, charming, charming! One to add to the list of "books to read when only something completely cheerful will do".