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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
What a beautiful, beautiful trainwreck.
1 star for quick reading, 1 star for Judy's character despite the flaws.
Despite marking the major spoilers, this whole thing is still filled with spoilers.
The issues:
1) Lack of details to important things. How does she contact the secretary (his name is given only near the end), what do the checks with money say (are they anonymous or have a fake name or no name at all?).
Yet we are be able to read about color of candy wrappers and the cost of chocolate. (I made those up, but it's too boring to find the exact nothing-meaning items.)
2) Judy's lack of action despite her curiosity. Now, if she had the name of the secretary all along, and she did seem a very curious and persistent child, why didn't she launch an investigation into that, even as a joke and then report back to Dadddy-Long-Legs (further refered as DLL) how she had wished it had led somewhere?
She collects and ponders over any information she has about DLL, yet why does she has to be so blind until the end to not connect all the dots?
3) Romance. *screams into the void*
3.1) Judy's lack of expression on any romance related anything. She does not express a gram of romantic ideals, except for the old cliches of getting married and having children, which when coming from her, come off as learned dogmas.
Any other displays of past romantic feelings towards someone or vice versa are never mentioned, and if the excuse is that she grew up in a very restricted environment, then shouldn't she question the feelings that she does develop throughout the novel for certain someone?
3.2) Contrast of relationships.
3.3)
3.4) The Ending.
In conclusion, this would have been better kept as a parental relationship and all would be nice anddaddydandy.
4) Judy's character inconsistency. She shows on multiple occasions that she's akin to a strong female lead, 1) when she feels lonely and DLL hasn't answered any of her letters, she writes a frustrated letter to him, 2) she resists when DLL tells her to go to the farm, 3) as well as all that yada yada about her future. 4) She doesn't let people push her around, when others insist she must go traveling during the summer break, 5) or when DLL sends her extra money to spend on objects of vanity.
And yet, her character caves in at the end of this book. She's fought her way through, she has dreams of traveling when she graduates and doesn't wish to be stuck in a farm, but then returns just there.
The author isn't sure if her novel is a coming of age story or romance, and she butchers them both in an omelette with a good start, but a bad aftertaste.
1 star for quick reading, 1 star for Judy's character despite the flaws.
Despite marking the major spoilers, this whole thing is still filled with spoilers.
The issues:
1) Lack of details to important things. How does she contact the secretary (his name is given only near the end), what do the checks with money say (are they anonymous or have a fake name or no name at all?).
Yet we are be able to read about color of candy wrappers and the cost of chocolate. (I made those up, but it's too boring to find the exact nothing-meaning items.)
2) Judy's lack of action despite her curiosity. Now, if she had the name of the secretary all along, and she did seem a very curious and persistent child, why didn't she launch an investigation into that, even as a joke and then report back to Dadddy-Long-Legs (further refered as DLL) how she had wished it had led somewhere?
She collects and ponders over any information she has about DLL, yet why does she has to be so blind until the end to not connect all the dots?
Spoiler
I mean, how many rich men, that want to give constant gifts, does one have to know to start thinking: "wait a minute, these two men seem a tad too similar!?"3) Romance. *screams into the void*
3.1) Judy's lack of expression on any romance related anything. She does not express a gram of romantic ideals, except for the old cliches of getting married and having children, which when coming from her, come off as learned dogmas.
Any other displays of past romantic feelings towards someone or vice versa are never mentioned, and if the excuse is that she grew up in a very restricted environment, then shouldn't she question the feelings that she does develop throughout the novel for certain someone?
Spoiler
Yet, not a whisper until we read the outburst of love and commitment at the end.3.2) Contrast of relationships.
Spoiler
She sees DLL as a father figure, but develops romantic feelings for Jervis. And when she finally discovers they are one and the same, she has no confusion, no conflict within herself, the concept of Daddy-Long-Legs as the only one who understands and hears her, the only one that really cares about her puffs into the air and is no more. And how about Jervis' attraction to Judy? The letters after all are a young girl's memoirs.3.3)
Spoiler
Jervis. He keeps the information about him being DLL until the very end. Why? To still be able to control her even if he cannot do so in real life, since in that life he's not holding the power of money over her head. And yet, both relationships are essentially based on money. DLL sends her money for schooling, reasons for doing so is at Judy's own interpretation. Jervis keeps popping up in her life to give her gifts and spend whatever time he can with Judy, but we don't get to see too many interactions between them, and in letters with DLL she mostly compliments Jervis, who, though being rich, doesn't have the personality of the rich.3.4) The Ending.
Spoiler
Once the reveal comes and the two people become one, Judy feels no betrayal of trust or having been manipulated, doesn't even question his unnecessary secrecy. Before that Judy writes that she rejects Jervis' proposal due to him not knowing her past, meaning she believes that such things should be shared. Yet, her past doesn't matter that much and she hasn't lied about any of it, while Jervis' actions of hiding the truth have had a continuous consequence.In conclusion, this would have been better kept as a parental relationship and all would be nice and
4) Judy's character inconsistency. She shows on multiple occasions that she's akin to a strong female lead, 1) when she feels lonely and DLL hasn't answered any of her letters, she writes a frustrated letter to him, 2) she resists when DLL tells her to go to the farm, 3) as well as all that yada yada about her future. 4) She doesn't let people push her around, when others insist she must go traveling during the summer break, 5) or when DLL sends her extra money to spend on objects of vanity.
And yet, her character caves in at the end of this book. She's fought her way through, she has dreams of traveling when she graduates and doesn't wish to be stuck in a farm, but then returns just there.
Spoiler
There is also a part about her saying how her interests are changing to fit Jervis' and that they have everything in common, yet I find it such a lame way to make their relationship plausible, as well as sending the wrong message: that to be in a romantic relationship, you must have everything or most in common with your partner. And here too, we see the slight distortion of who we're told Judy is at the beginning, and who she's bent into to fit the narrative.The author isn't sure if her novel is a coming of age story or romance, and she butchers them both in an omelette with a good start, but a bad aftertaste.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm so torn about this one. It's humorous and charming in many ways and I love the heroine, orphan Jerusha "Judy" Abbott. Her letters to the anonymous sponsor who's paying for her college education are funny and lots of fun to read.
However,
This book was published in 1912 and in many ways it feels surprisingly modern, given Judy's spirited, sassy writing and view of the world. The romance angle is very much of its time, however, and bothered me enough that I can't give it more than 3 stars.
However,
Spoiler
I can't help feeling skeeved out by the fact that this sponsor - who she assumes is a kindly old man - is actually the thirtysomething uncle to her roommate, who befriends her in real life and gradually romances and proposes to her, all without her knowing he's the man to whom she's writing heartfelt letters. As her guardian "John Smith" he won't let her spend as much time as she wants with other, age-appropriate boys, while as her friend's Uncle Jervis he's always showing up to spend time with her himself. It's kind of creepy, like he's grooming her all along. Given how alone she is in the world it feels predatory, even though we're meant to think that he's a kind and generous man.This book was published in 1912 and in many ways it feels surprisingly modern, given Judy's spirited, sassy writing and view of the world. The romance angle is very much of its time, however, and bothered me enough that I can't give it more than 3 stars.
"¡Desconocidos! ¿Y usted qué es si puedo preguntárselo?
Pero si no hay nadie en el mundo a quien yo conozca menos.... Si no podría saludarlo aunque me lo encontrara por la calle. Y además, permítame que se lo diga, si usted se hubiera conducido hasta hoy como una persona juiciosa y sensata y le hubiera escrito a su Judy unas cartas bonitas, animosas y paternales y de vez en cuando la viniera a visitar y le diera unas palmaditas en la cabeza diciéndole lo contento que está de que se porte tan bien... En fin, en ese caso, Judy quizá mostraría algo de respeto a sus canas "
Papá Piernas Largas, 1912
Jean Webster
@editorialturner 2015
Traducción de Maria Sierra
#ebiblio
Jerusha Abbot es una joven que ha vivido toda su vida en el viejo orfanato John Grier cuando recibe la inesperada noticia de que un benefactor anónimo (que odia a las niñas) ha decidido costear sus estudios universitarios.
Debe cumplir con un único requisito : enviar una carta mensual a John Smith contando sus progresos en la universidad y no esperar respuesta alguna.
Acompañamos a Judy /Jerusha en el descubrimiento y adaptación a su nueva vida. Vivir fuera del hogar John Grier, conocer a otras estudiantes de su edad, leer montones de libros (tiene muy buen gusto!), comprarse ropa nueva y experimentar nuevas oportunidades.
Irreverente, Ingeniosa, emotiva y de gran imaginación, Judy desgrana en sus cartas su despertar a la vida.
Me ha encantado descubrir este título y a su autora, Jean Webster, una mujer moderna, viajera y defensora de los derechos sociales en la #LC organizada por Eva @_lalectora_ para el bimestre dedicado a la #noveladeaprendizaje del #clubclásicosjuveniles
#leeconmaria_escritorasamericanas
#papapiernaslargas #daddylonglegs #jeanwebster #leeresvivir #leermola #libros #leoautoras #escritorasamericanas
Pero si no hay nadie en el mundo a quien yo conozca menos.... Si no podría saludarlo aunque me lo encontrara por la calle. Y además, permítame que se lo diga, si usted se hubiera conducido hasta hoy como una persona juiciosa y sensata y le hubiera escrito a su Judy unas cartas bonitas, animosas y paternales y de vez en cuando la viniera a visitar y le diera unas palmaditas en la cabeza diciéndole lo contento que está de que se porte tan bien... En fin, en ese caso, Judy quizá mostraría algo de respeto a sus canas "
Papá Piernas Largas, 1912
Jean Webster
@editorialturner 2015
Traducción de Maria Sierra
#ebiblio
Jerusha Abbot es una joven que ha vivido toda su vida en el viejo orfanato John Grier cuando recibe la inesperada noticia de que un benefactor anónimo (que odia a las niñas) ha decidido costear sus estudios universitarios.
Debe cumplir con un único requisito : enviar una carta mensual a John Smith contando sus progresos en la universidad y no esperar respuesta alguna.
Acompañamos a Judy /Jerusha en el descubrimiento y adaptación a su nueva vida. Vivir fuera del hogar John Grier, conocer a otras estudiantes de su edad, leer montones de libros (tiene muy buen gusto!), comprarse ropa nueva y experimentar nuevas oportunidades.
Irreverente, Ingeniosa, emotiva y de gran imaginación, Judy desgrana en sus cartas su despertar a la vida.
Me ha encantado descubrir este título y a su autora, Jean Webster, una mujer moderna, viajera y defensora de los derechos sociales en la #LC organizada por Eva @_lalectora_ para el bimestre dedicado a la #noveladeaprendizaje del #clubclásicosjuveniles
#leeconmaria_escritorasamericanas
#papapiernaslargas #daddylonglegs #jeanwebster #leeresvivir #leermola #libros #leoautoras #escritorasamericanas
Such a sweet story! I love the form of letters and the humorous, informal style. It's unfortunate I've read a translation of this a few years ago so the plot was spoilt at the start for me! But it is nice anyway :)
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Jerusha is such a lovable character, her humor and the way she thinks makes her so special. "Plot" is pretty predictable in my opinion and I can't decide how I feel about it.
But overall, very lighthearted and sweet.
I would recommend.
But overall, very lighthearted and sweet.
I would recommend.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Charming! I enjoyed the company of Jerusha immensely; she is smart, witty, and completely endearing. This book brought to mind the sentimentality and imagination of both Little Women and Anne of Green Gables. SPOILER: Even though the ending is a little silly, I at least appreciated that Jerusha gets the book deal before she gets the man.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes