Monday, June 22, 2020

Heidi by Johanna Spyri ~ Book Review

As a young child, Heidi was orphaned.  Her paternal grandfather lives in the mountains of the Swiss Alps all by himself.  Being a loner is his choice as he has become angry at life.  The villagers know to leave him well enough alone.  But the endearing Heidi soon works her way into his heart as she adopts his beloved mountain with as much fervor as he himself does.  But when her aunt, who dropped her off in the first place, comes to collect her to live with a rich family in the city to be a companion to their handicapped daughter, both Heidi and Grandfather want nothing to do with it.  But Grandfather gets convinced he is being selfish keeping Heidi on a mountain and finally lets her go.  Though Heidi befriends Klara, her heart is still on the mountain with her Grandfather and her health starts to suffer due to homesickness.  Upon Klara's Doctor's recommendations Heidi is finally allowed to go home to her beloved Grandfather and mountain.  When Klara comes to visit, the mountain works it's magic with her also.

I have always loved the story of Heidi though have not read the book since a little kid.  I've watched all the tv adaptations through the years and loved them all.  So when I saw this in a Little Library I nabbed it.  I enjoyed the story just as much as an adult as I did when a kid.  It was written in 1959, with this Scholastic edition releasing in 1974.  Because it was written in the '50's there is some things in there that are out of step with how we treat children or do things in this era but the story of the charming orphan Heidi and how by just being her loving self she touches and changes the lives around her is just as sweet and endearing now as back in the day.   

10 out of 10 for me. 


4 comments:

Barbara Harper said...

It's been a number of years since I read it, but I enjoyed it.

Wendy said...

This was one of my childhood favourites. I still have a copy.

Faith said...

I used to read this a chapter a night to my oldest girl when she was in 2nd grade. And it was my fave book when I was 8 years old. I still have a copy of the original printing that my daddy bought me when I was 7. I love re-reading fave childhood classics.

netablogs said...

I read this book so long ago, I think it's time for a reread! I remember loving the story! Great book review!