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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".
hellonada's review against another edition
5.0
❤️
The world is so full of a number of things, I am sure we should all be as happy as kings. The world is full of happiness, and plenty to go round, if you are only willing to take the kind that comes your way.
It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones--I've discovered the true secret of happiness, Daddy, and that is to live in the now. Not to be forever regretting the past, or anticipating the future; but to get the most that you can out of this very instant. It's like farming. You can have extensive farming and intensive farming; well, I am going to have intensive living after this. I'm going to enjoy every second, and I'm going to know I'm enjoying it while I'm enjoying it. Most people don't live, they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose all sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and worn out, and it doesn't make any difference whether they've reached the goal or not. I've decided to sit down by the way and pile up a lot of little happinesses.
The world is so full of a number of things, I am sure we should all be as happy as kings. The world is full of happiness, and plenty to go round, if you are only willing to take the kind that comes your way.
It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones--I've discovered the true secret of happiness, Daddy, and that is to live in the now. Not to be forever regretting the past, or anticipating the future; but to get the most that you can out of this very instant. It's like farming. You can have extensive farming and intensive farming; well, I am going to have intensive living after this. I'm going to enjoy every second, and I'm going to know I'm enjoying it while I'm enjoying it. Most people don't live, they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose all sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and worn out, and it doesn't make any difference whether they've reached the goal or not. I've decided to sit down by the way and pile up a lot of little happinesses.
saramar's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0