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k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
3.0
A companion novel to Daddy Long Legs, this book while sometimes out of date, also has some timeless bits of wisdom.
The story of an orphanage in the early years of the 20th century and the changes that occurred in working with and raising parentless children. Told in epistolary form, just like Daddy Long Legs, Dear Enemy tells the story of a society girl who through the strong arm tacts of friends finds herself serving society as the supervisor of an orphange in metamorphasis.
The story of an orphanage in the early years of the 20th century and the changes that occurred in working with and raising parentless children. Told in epistolary form, just like Daddy Long Legs, Dear Enemy tells the story of a society girl who through the strong arm tacts of friends finds herself serving society as the supervisor of an orphange in metamorphasis.
vecronicaeule's review
5.0
حزينة اني انتهيت من رواية ثمينة
اشكر المترجمة جدا على ترجمتها المتقنة و اختياراتها!
اشكر المترجمة جدا على ترجمتها المتقنة و اختياراتها!
eak1013's review against another edition
3.0
Huge swathes of charming, with one egregious, icky icky caveat. I do love me a good epistolary novel, and this one is splendidly done, with a light touch on what the narrator says and what the author wants to happen. I find Sallie a slightly less dense narrator than Judy (heroine of the prequel [b:Daddy Long Legs|1499952|Daddy Long Legs |Jean Webster|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1222145582s/1499952.jpg|1710545]), whose greatest charm and irritation is her cheerful, persistent earnestness. Sallie is always a bit more self-aware, even when she's the silly socialite being badgered into working, and I appreciate that. No surprises here; everything unfolds exactly as you think it will, but it's a neatly crafted little story.
What I especially like about both this novel and its prequel are their sneaky, steadfast feminism. The first book is all about women's education in the early 1900s; this one is all about women's work. Yes, yes, product of their time, all about women in "appropriate" roles as writer and mother-to-113-babies-as-orphanage-director, but it's still there. The ideas are still being raised. Women's independence and capability of learning and managing and doing are never in question.
The caveat is the creepy, awful, pervasive eugenics stuff throughout the novel. Because, of course, Our Narrator and her eventual Love Interest flirt back and forth, in a very geeky sort of way, over science books. I am charmed by the flirtation-via-book; I'm repulsed by the subject matter. Because simple children are the product of simple parents, and bad children are the product of alcoholic parents, and all madness is hereditary, and wouldn't it be better if Those Sorts Of People just died? Ugh.
What I especially like about both this novel and its prequel are their sneaky, steadfast feminism. The first book is all about women's education in the early 1900s; this one is all about women's work. Yes, yes, product of their time, all about women in "appropriate" roles as writer and mother-to-113-babies-as-orphanage-director, but it's still there. The ideas are still being raised. Women's independence and capability of learning and managing and doing are never in question.
The caveat is the creepy, awful, pervasive eugenics stuff throughout the novel. Because, of course, Our Narrator and her eventual Love Interest flirt back and forth, in a very geeky sort of way, over science books. I am charmed by the flirtation-via-book; I'm repulsed by the subject matter. Because simple children are the product of simple parents, and bad children are the product of alcoholic parents, and all madness is hereditary, and wouldn't it be better if Those Sorts Of People just died? Ugh.
ebgracie77's review against another edition
4.0
Almost as lovely as Daddy Long Legs. Some questionable social commentary in there but probably relates to when it was written. But so charming and sweet. The only difficulty with the letter writing method is that there are certain events we don’t get a full picture of, including the ending and truth telling between the main characters.
It’s delightful; however. I can’t believe I just learned of it’s existence! And surprised it hasn’t received half the attention of the first book.
It deserves a redo to take the promising premise and smooth off the rough edges. I loved how she thought of the children as her own.
It’s delightful; however. I can’t believe I just learned of it’s existence! And surprised it hasn’t received half the attention of the first book.
It deserves a redo to take the promising premise and smooth off the rough edges. I loved how she thought of the children as her own.
loneli's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
I preferred the first book better.
lecterclarice's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
dilliemillie's review against another edition
3.0
Ah, nostalgia. How you betray me.
Sallie is such a well-developed character with a sense of humor and a stubborn spirit. Reading about her struggles to overhaul an institutional orphanage makes me want to root for her! The romance is light and there are many sweet moments. But. This book casually slips in so many horrible ideas that were normal for the time. There are an uncomfortable number of references to the virtues of eugenics. Nurture will never win over nature, and there is no room for accommodating anyone who has different needs. Yes, it was a different time. No, that doesn't make it enjoyable to read.
Sallie is such a well-developed character with a sense of humor and a stubborn spirit. Reading about her struggles to overhaul an institutional orphanage makes me want to root for her! The romance is light and there are many sweet moments. But. This book casually slips in so many horrible ideas that were normal for the time. There are an uncomfortable number of references to the virtues of eugenics. Nurture will never win over nature, and there is no room for accommodating anyone who has different needs. Yes, it was a different time. No, that doesn't make it enjoyable to read.
maleouch's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
As feel-good a novel as one about a woman running an orphanage could possibly be. That said, it's extremely dated and possibly offensive - not so much with the racism this time (only a little), but a decidedly eugenics-y approach to the "feeble-minded."