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aaronburrdefender's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
barbarajean's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
storyscrivener15's review against another edition
2.0
Lyddie, written by Katherine Paterson, is a classic historical novel on factory life. This story shows the many hardships of the 1840's, and the protagonist, Lydia Worthen's own grit and determination. Despite the many challenges that she faced, Lyddie never gave up her goal, and wouldn't stand for the unfair treatment that the factory called standard.
While the book is primarily about "factory girls", it shows many of the other struggles that they endured as well. The plot is set mainly outside of the weaving room, which allows it to stay interesting, and for readers to connect to Lyddie. In fact, Lyddie does not arrive at the factory until the eighth chapter. Other characters are shown having realistic struggles outside of the factory as well. Diana, Lyddie's friend, has a romantic relationship (pgs. 85, 152-154). Betsy, her roommate, is putting her brother through college, and goes to visit an uncle in the summer (pgs. 81, 112-113).
It also does not attempt to portray the "10-hour movement" as a new miracle-idea. Other factories are in the news for their own actions, showing that these conditions were the same for almost all factory girls. And there was a failed turnout at their own factory in 1836, in which Betsy proudly boasts of leading out her floor (page 93).
But although an interesting and historically accurate read, I did find that the characters seemed two-dimensional; often acting only to carry the plot. Lyddie herself has such a strong love of freedom (pgs. 9, 18, 45, 147, 182) that I fell it is untrue to her character that she went most of the book before speaking out. It is true, I acknowledge, the she was frightened of being blacklisted (page 81) and is trying desperately to pay her debts, but this would not cause her to go against her nature in this way.
As for the side characters, while entertaining, they felt rather flat. Lyddie' other roommate, Amelia, speaks of only three things: Christianity, what is ladylike, and how terrible the ten-hour movement is. She has no ambitions, no interests, and a bare personality. Also, Charlie, Lyddie's younger brother, is said to be a serious, yet funny boy. However, this is never shown, and he has no ambitions or interests either.
Overall, my reaction was neither negative nor positive. This is a valuable addition to historical fiction, but not, I believe, to the shelf of a pleasure-reader.
While the book is primarily about "factory girls", it shows many of the other struggles that they endured as well. The plot is set mainly outside of the weaving room, which allows it to stay interesting, and for readers to connect to Lyddie. In fact, Lyddie does not arrive at the factory until the eighth chapter. Other characters are shown having realistic struggles outside of the factory as well. Diana, Lyddie's friend, has a romantic relationship (pgs. 85, 152-154). Betsy, her roommate, is putting her brother through college, and goes to visit an uncle in the summer (pgs. 81, 112-113).
It also does not attempt to portray the "10-hour movement" as a new miracle-idea. Other factories are in the news for their own actions, showing that these conditions were the same for almost all factory girls. And there was a failed turnout at their own factory in 1836, in which Betsy proudly boasts of leading out her floor (page 93).
But although an interesting and historically accurate read, I did find that the characters seemed two-dimensional; often acting only to carry the plot. Lyddie herself has such a strong love of freedom (pgs. 9, 18, 45, 147, 182) that I fell it is untrue to her character that she went most of the book before speaking out. It is true, I acknowledge, the she was frightened of being blacklisted (page 81) and is trying desperately to pay her debts, but this would not cause her to go against her nature in this way.
As for the side characters, while entertaining, they felt rather flat. Lyddie' other roommate, Amelia, speaks of only three things: Christianity, what is ladylike, and how terrible the ten-hour movement is. She has no ambitions, no interests, and a bare personality. Also, Charlie, Lyddie's younger brother, is said to be a serious, yet funny boy. However, this is never shown, and he has no ambitions or interests either.
Overall, my reaction was neither negative nor positive. This is a valuable addition to historical fiction, but not, I believe, to the shelf of a pleasure-reader.
kalinwormybook's review against another edition
4.0
I have read this book multiple times, and I think the story of a courageous girl working and providing for herself with little family contact is worth reading at least once. This book is of personal growth and inner struggle. I think Lyddie's determination is what attracted me the most, however the ending lacked a certain closure for me.
heydannyboy's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readingwithlyn's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this so much more than I thought I would tbh. I felt like I was immersed in the time period and I appreciate the graphicness of how the working conditions were in the factories. I'm teaching this to my 7th graders so this was a required read.
caitcoy's review against another edition
4.0
I really wish I had read this when I was in middle school because I know I would have loved it. Anyone who enjoyed books like [b:Catherine, Called Birdy|24137|Catherine, Called Birdy|Karen Cushman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1167520363s/24137.jpg|25037] and [b:A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl, Belmont Plantation, Virginia 1859|1638371|A Picture of Freedom The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl, Belmont Plantation, Virginia 1859 (Dear America)|Patricia C. McKissack|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358036881s/1638371.jpg|557531] would love Lyddie. The main character Lyddie is a Vermont girl who is struggling to support her family on their farm after her father leaves to find better work. When a bear breaks into their little cabin, Lyddie and her family are separated and sent off to different households. Lyddie ultimately goes to work in a factory in Lowell, Massachusetts in order to pay off debts on the farm incurred by her mother and her two siblings who are too young to work and must rely on relatives. Lyddie's struggle to earn money to pay off the debt owed on the farm and provide for her family clash with a struggle to find herself in a strange new world in a big city entirely foreign to everything she's come to know. Lyddie is the type of strong, intelligent female character I always loved to read about and while the writing is really more suited to juvenile fiction than young adult, the story is inspiring and sweet. The ending was everything I could have hoped for and if you enjoy juvenile historical fiction, I'd definitely recommend it!
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
I agreed to facilitate a book club for a group of homeschool kids who are reading novels related to the period in history that they are studying. First up was the Industrial Revolution! This book got mediocre reviews from the kids, but I really liked it. Lyddie's not the most lovable character, but her work ethic was so intense you had to be awed by her. I loved that she would tell herself (in her unfailingly modest way) that she could do anything because she once stared down a bear. Even the kids who were lukewarm on the book had to admit the way Lyddie fiercely fights for her family's future was impressive. I also found her relationship with money to be so interesting. She gives all her money away at one point, but later is a hardened skinflint.
In the book group we talked about child labor, labor reform, what it would be like to work at 14-hour day, and what we thought happened to Lyddie's father.
In the book group we talked about child labor, labor reform, what it would be like to work at 14-hour day, and what we thought happened to Lyddie's father.