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raquelrose's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.75
When reviewing this, I found out this story is translated into English from German which makes a lot of sense because the writing would sometimes be stiff and strangely worded. I was reading a different edition of the book though. This edition is the only one I am able to review on here so I can't really know if this translation is any better. However, I still enjoyed it. I really am kind of a sucker for these kinds of stories; a lovely, lively little girl changing people's lives with healing power of nature so integral to the plot that it almost becomes another character. It's a tad preachy though, especially right towards the end, with the main character Heidi finding faith in God. Though I'm not religious, I personally find it quite interesting to know what messages the author wanted to bring into the mind of the reader. I find reading older books fascinating in this way also because of the historical references embedded into the story; like what Swiss Alps folk might have eaten, what might've been important to them, and the differences between them and townsfolk.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty
nevergoodbye8's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Ableism
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Religious bigotry
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Ableism
Minor: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Child death, and Death of parent
chalkletters's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.5
Heidi is another of those girlish children’s classics that I still love, perhaps a little more than Pollyanna but less than What Katy Did. Even though I can see that they're a little preachy — and Heidi, in particular, is specifically God-related in its moralising — I still enjoy the simple stories of a special child who comes to make such a difference in everybody's life.
Grandfather carries the bulk of the character development, everybody else stays more or less the same in terms of personality, though both Clara and Heidi learn new skills. The characters don't necessarily feel that deep, but I do enjoy the little glimpses that we get of them. Only Dete and Miss Rottenmeier come off badly, and as an adult, I have at least some sympathy for both of them.
It's the little things that stand out to me: Grandfather making Heidi her own stool once he realises that the ones he has are too big for her, the Doctor enjoying his outdoor meal of cheese and bread and meat more than anything else he's eaten, Heidi and Clara sharing their hay bed when she comes to visit and, of course, the soft white rolls for Peter's grandmother.
Reading this now, the way Clara's family come in and fix everything by giving everybody money is a little problematic. They mean well, but it feels a little too perfect too quickly. It doesn't take away from the story as a whole, but it did make me wince.
Overall, the descriptions and the emotional impact definitely make this a book worth revisiting every few years!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
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