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lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is such a sweet and lovely and nostalgic story. The writing is vivid and makes me ache for fresh mountain air. The characters come alive off the page and make you want to really know them.
I think that anyone who reads this should be aware that it contains ableist tropes,including the miracle cure trope, as well as very outdated language (mostly "invalid"). This didn't destroy my love for this book, although it did detract from it. I think this book is an excellent example of how it's important, even when we love things, to acknowledge their flaws so that we don't emulate them.
I think that anyone who reads this should be aware that it contains ableist tropes,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Heidi's friend, Clara, is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Throughout the book, she is referred to as "an invalid"; to my understanding, this was the common language of the time and was not intended to be insulting, but it is certainly outdated by now.
In the second part of the book, Clara goes to stay with Heidi in the mountains to see if it improves her condition. This is quite successful; after another character destroys her wheelchair out of anger, she is encouraged to attempt to walk. These attempts, in combination with the good mountain food and air, "cure" her of her disability and give her the ability to walk. This improvement is very much framed as a "cure"/"recovery" and not as a temporary improvement.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death of parent, Abandonment
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So, I own a lovely copy of this book, and I'll probably continue to own it after this, though I cannot recommend it to anyone.
This book was slow and ridiculous in premise. It feels like something they hand you in a utopian society to convince you you're at peace or whatever. It's all very calming imagery and random statements on God. The men are all-wise and kindly while most of the women are either middle-aged and villainous or old and saintly. I'm not sure what Johanna Spyri was trying to get at, but it's weird how obviously done this dynamic was.
Also, Heidi, for her part is eternally happy and characterized by her innocence and goodness. She's meant to drive the story with her goodwill but she's an unrealistic child. I don't know if the author has ever met any children but all the 4 to 6 year olds I know are nothing like this.
This book was slow and ridiculous in premise. It feels like something they hand you in a utopian society to convince you you're at peace or whatever. It's all very calming imagery and random statements on God. The men are all-wise and kindly while most of the women are either middle-aged and villainous or old and saintly. I'm not sure what Johanna Spyri was trying to get at, but it's weird how obviously done this dynamic was.
Also, Heidi, for her part is eternally happy and characterized by her innocence and goodness. She's meant to drive the story with her goodwill but she's an unrealistic child. I don't know if the author has ever met any children but all the 4 to 6 year olds I know are nothing like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Racism, Religious bigotry
Minor: Death of parent
I think this book is an incredibly offensive representation of a person with a disability. As well as people of color and women. There are two black characters, both are servants and caricatures.
Heidi is hired by a family to spend time with the daughter who is disabled. It is never directly described, but she is unable to move on her own and is tired often. This is then solved by her wheelchair being broken by a jealous child and then Heidi and the child help her to walk. It's seen as a miracle due to the power of God and goatmilk. The girl, right before this happens, realizes that she must be a burden and suddenly decides that she must change her life.