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jenniamysuzy's review against another edition
5.0
Such a cute book and one I can't wait to read again with my daughter once she's older!
daisy17's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Hard work where some children's classics aren't.
My son and I listen to and read a lot of classics together, this was on his Book Bucket List, so we were determined to read and cross it off. It's one I remember as a Ladybird abridged, so I may never have read the whole thing.
And I found this incredibly hard work. It's just so long. The basic sections could all be shorter - Heidi's introduction to her curmudgeonly grandfather (who isn't really) who lives isolated on a mountain, learning to look after the goats with Peter, being taken to Frankfurt to be companion to an older disabled girl, Clara, and them returning to the mountain when Heidi becomes homesick, with Clara finally discovering the benefits of fresh air and goats' milk.
There's a very large helping of religion thrown in there too, which is hardly surprising for the time it was written, but my son isn't used to this and I had to explain why this would have been comforting and expected in the time of Heidi.
Hated how Heidi teaches Peter to read, hated how children are treated, felt the religion was being rammed down readers' throats, felt it could all have been told more succinctly. There are a few moments of enjoyment, but Heidi herself isn't the heroine readers today would come to expect, she's not charming and spunky, more innocently outspoken.
There's not a lot of humour of course, and some words will need explaining to a modern readership, though this is usually a good thing, broadening experience and showing that unknown words are not something to be afraid of.
Not one I'd recommend as a read for most children unless very strong readers and interested. We are glad to have read it to cross it off of our list, but my son was pretty dubious throughout.
For ages 8-12.
My son and I listen to and read a lot of classics together, this was on his Book Bucket List, so we were determined to read and cross it off. It's one I remember as a Ladybird abridged, so I may never have read the whole thing.
And I found this incredibly hard work. It's just so long. The basic sections could all be shorter - Heidi's introduction to her curmudgeonly grandfather (who isn't really) who lives isolated on a mountain, learning to look after the goats with Peter, being taken to Frankfurt to be companion to an older disabled girl, Clara, and them returning to the mountain when Heidi becomes homesick, with Clara finally discovering the benefits of fresh air and goats' milk.
There's a very large helping of religion thrown in there too, which is hardly surprising for the time it was written, but my son isn't used to this and I had to explain why this would have been comforting and expected in the time of Heidi.
Hated how Heidi teaches Peter to read, hated how children are treated, felt the religion was being rammed down readers' throats, felt it could all have been told more succinctly. There are a few moments of enjoyment, but Heidi herself isn't the heroine readers today would come to expect, she's not charming and spunky, more innocently outspoken.
There's not a lot of humour of course, and some words will need explaining to a modern readership, though this is usually a good thing, broadening experience and showing that unknown words are not something to be afraid of.
Not one I'd recommend as a read for most children unless very strong readers and interested. We are glad to have read it to cross it off of our list, but my son was pretty dubious throughout.
For ages 8-12.
katie_berry's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.5
luciliamint's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
smjcrownedbee's review against another edition
Classics Bookclub. Would have loved it as a kid.
votesforwomen's review against another edition
3.0
This was always one of my least-favorite classics. Oh well. It's still a good book, and I like it... but not really my cup of tea. I don't get bored easily by books. This one, unfortunately, bored me largely to death.
jaynecm's review against another edition
4.0
Heidi is just as charming and delightful as I remember her to be. A sweet read, although maybe a little preachy for some readers. I remember as a young reader being somewhat obsessed with these late Victorian era children's books about invalids and Heidi is a lovely example.
gdaigle007's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0