Heidi

By Johanna Spyri

Sent to live with her reclusive grandfather after the death of her parents, Heidi begins to befriend those around her. Despite her grandfather attempting to dull her personality, she perseveres and convinces those around her of the delightful aspects of life. Once she is old enough, Heidi is sent to be a lady's companion to a wealthy girl who, because of a limp, is considered an invalid. Heidi continues to make the best out of her situation and touches the lives of those around her, despite feeling intense homesickness. One of the bestselling novels of all time, and considered to be among the best-known works of Swiss literature, Heidi is a heart-warming tale perfect for audiences of all ages. Translated by Elizabeth P. Stork with illustrations by Maria L. Kirk.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Release date: Nov 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781974997893

Johanna Spyri

Johanna Spyri (1827-1901) was a Swiss writer of novels and stories for children. Born in the countryside near Zurich, she spent summers near Chur in the beautiful Grisonian Rhine Valley, a place which she would turn toward for inspiration and as a setting for her fiction throughout her career. She married the lawyer Bernhard Spyri in 1852, moving with him to Zurich where she launched her writing career with a story about domestic violence titled “A Leaf on Vrony’s Grave.” She made a name for herself as a writer of primarily children’s fiction, and much of her work concerns itself with the daily realities of rural life. After the death of her husband and only son in 1884, she primarily devoted herself to charities, though she still wrote stories until the end of her life. She is remembered today as a pioneering woman, devoted feminist, and important figure in Swiss literary history.

Book preview

PART I.

HEIDI'S YEARS OF LEARNING AND TRAVEL

Chapter I.

Going up to the Alm-Uncle

he little old town of Mayenfeld is charmingly situated. From it a footpath leads through green, well-wooded stretches to the foot of the heights which look down imposingly upon the valley. Where the footpath begins to go steeply and abruptly up the Alps, the heath, with its short grass and pungent herbage, at once sends out its soft perfume to meet the wayfarer.

One bright sunny morning in June, a tall, vigorous maiden of the mountain region climbed up the narrow path, leading a little girl by the hand. The youngster's cheeks were in such a glow that it showed even through her sun-browned skin. Small  wonder though! for in spite of the heat, the little one, who was scarcely five years old, was bundled up as if she had to brave a bitter frost. Her shape was difficult to distinguish, for she wore two dresses, if not three, and around her shoulders a large red cotton shawl. With her feet encased in heavy hob-nailed boots, this hot and shapeless little person toiled up the mountain.

The pair had been climbing for about an hour when they reached a hamlet half-way up the great mountain named the Alm. This hamlet was called Im Dörfli or The Little Village. It was the elder girl's home town, and therefore she was greeted from nearly every house; people called to her from windows and doors, and very often from the road. But, answering questions and calls as she went by, the girl did not loiter on her way and only stood still when she reached the end of the hamlet. There a few cottages lay scattered about, from the furthest of which a voice called out to her through an open door: Deta,  please wait one moment! I am coming with you, if you are going further up.

When the girl stood still to wait, the child instantly let go her hand and promptly sat down on the ground.

Are you tired, Heidi? Deta asked the child.

No, but hot, she replied.

We shall be up in an hour, if you take big steps and climb with all your little might! Thus the elder girl tried to encourage her small companion.

A stout, pleasant-looking woman stepped out of the house and joined the two. The child had risen and wandered behind the old acquaintances, who immediately started gossiping about their friends in the neighborhood and the people of the hamlet generally.

Where are you taking the child, Deta? asked the newcomer. Is she the child your sister left?

Yes, Deta assured her; I am taking her up to the Alm-Uncle and there I want her to remain.

You can't really mean to take her there Deta. You must have lost your senses, to go to him. I am sure the old man will show you the door and won't even listen to what you say.

Why not? As he's her grandfather, it is high time he should do something for the child. I have taken care of her until this summer and now a good place has been offered to me. The child shall not hinder me from accepting it, I tell you that!

"It would not be so hard, if he were like other mortals. But you know him yourself. How could he look after a child, especially such a little one? She'll never get along with him, I am sure of that!—But tell me of your prospects."

I am going to a splendid house in Frankfurt. Last summer some people went off to the baths and I took care of their rooms. As they got to like me, they wanted to take me along, but I could not leave. They have come back now and have persuaded me to go with them.

I am glad I am not the child! exclaimed Barbara with a shudder. Nobody knows anything about the old man's life up there. He doesn't speak to a living soul, and from one year's end to the other he keeps away from church. People get out of his way when he appears once in a twelve-month down here among us. We all fear him and he is really just like a heathen or an old Indian, with those thick grey eyebrows and that huge uncanny beard. When he wanders along the road with his twisted stick we are all afraid to meet him alone.

That is not my fault, said Deta stubbornly. He won't do her any harm; and if he should, he is responsible, not I.

I wish I knew what weighs on the old man's conscience. Why are his eyes so fierce and why does he live up there all alone? Nobody ever sees him and we hear many strange things about him. Didn't your sister tell you anything, Deta?

Of course she did, but I shall hold my  tongue. He would make me pay for it if I didn't.

Barbara had long been anxious to know something about the old uncle and why he lived apart from everybody. Nobody had a good word for him, and when people talked about him, they did not speak openly but as if they were afraid. She could not even explain to herself why he was called the Alm-Uncle. He could not possibly be the uncle of all the people in the village, but since everybody spoke of him so, she did the same. Barbara, who had only lived in the village since her marriage, was glad to get some information from her friend. Deta had been bred there, but since her mother's death had gone away to earn her livelihood.

She confidentially seized Deta's arm and said: I wish you would tell me the truth about him, Deta; you know it all—people only gossip. Tell me, what has happened to the old man to turn everybody against him so? Did he always hate his fellow-creatures?

I cannot tell you whether he always did, and that for a very good reason. He being sixty years old, and I only twenty-six, you can't expect me to give you an account of his early youth. But if you'll promise to keep it to yourself and not set all the people in Prättiggau talking, I can tell you a good deal. My mother and he both came from Domleschg.

How can you talk like that, Deta? replied Barbara in an offended tone. People do not gossip much in Prättiggau, and I always can keep things to myself, if I have to. You won't repent of having told me, I assure you!

All right, but keep your word! said Deta warningly. Then she looked around to see that the child was not so close to them as to overhear what might be said; but the little girl was nowhere to be seen. While the two young women had talked at such a rate, they had not noticed her absence; quite a while must have elapsed since the little girl had given up following her  companions. Deta, standing still, looked about her everywhere, but no one was on the path, which—except for a few curves—was visible as far down as the village.

There she is! Can't you see her there? exclaimed Barbara, pointing to a spot a good distance from the path. She is climbing up with the goatherd Peter and his goats. I wonder why he is so late to-day. I must say, it suits us well enough; he can look after the child while you tell me everything without being interrupted.

It will be very easy for Peter to watch her, remarked Deta; she is bright for her five years and keeps her eyes wide open. I have often noticed that and I am glad for her, for it will be useful with the uncle. He has nothing left in the whole wide world, but his cottage and two goats!

Did he once have more? asked Barbara.

I should say so. He was heir to a large farm in Domleschg. But setting up to play the fine gentleman, he soon lost everything with drink and play. His parents died with  grief and he himself disappeared from these parts. After many years he came back with A half-grown boy, his son. Tobias, that was his name, became a carpenter and turned out to be a quiet, steady fellow. Many strange rumors went round about the uncle and I think that was why he left Domleschg for Dörfli. We acknowledged relationship, my mother's grandmother being a cousin of his. We called him uncle, and because we are related on my father's side to nearly all the people in the hamlet they too all called him uncle. He was named 'Alm-Uncle' when he moved up to the Alm.

But what happened to Tobias? asked Barbara eagerly.

Just wait. How can I tell you everything at once? exclaimed Deta. "Tobias was an apprentice in Mels, and when he was made master, he came home to the village and married my sister Adelheid. They always had been fond of each other and they lived very happily as man and wife. But their joy was short. Two years  afterwards, when Tobias was helping to build a house, a beam fell on him and killed him. Adelheid was thrown into a violent fever with grief and fright, and never recovered from it. She had never been strong and had often suffered from queer spells, when we did not know whether she was awake or asleep. Only a few weeks after Tobias's death they buried poor Adelheid.

"People said that heaven had punished the uncle for his misdeeds. After the death of his son he never spoke to a living soul. Suddenly he moved up to the Alp, to live there at enmity with God and man.

My mother and I took Adelheid's little year-old baby, Heidi, to live with us. When I went to Ragatz I took her with me; but in the spring the family whose work I had done last year came from Frankfurt and resolved to take me to their town-house. I am very glad to get such a good position.

And now you want to hand over the child to this terrible old man. I really  wonder how you can do it, Deta! said Barbara with reproach in her voice.

It seems to me I have really done enough for the child. I do not know where else to take her, as she is too young to come with me to Frankfurt. By the way, Barbara, where are you going? We are half-way up the Alm already.

Deta shook hands with her companion and stood still while Barbara approached the tiny, dark-brown mountain hut, which lay in a hollow a few steps away from the path.

Situated half-way up the Alm, the cottage was luckily protected from the mighty winds. Had it been exposed to the tempests, it would have been a doubtful habitation in the state of decay it was in. Even as it was, the doors and windows rattled and the old rafters shook when the south wind swept the mountain side. If the hut had stood on the Alm top, the wind would have blown it down the valley without much ado when the storm season came.

Here lived Peter the goatherd, a boy eleven years old, who daily fetched the goats from the village and drove them up the mountain to the short and luscious grasses of the pastures. Peter raced down in the evening with the light-footed little goats. When he whistled sharply through his fingers, every owner would come and get his or her goat. These owners were mostly small boys and girls and, as the goats were friendly, they did not fear them. That was the only time Peter spent with other children, the rest of the day the animals were his sole companions. At home lived his mother and an old blind grandmother, but he only spent enough time in the hut to swallow his bread and milk for breakfast and the same repast for supper. After that he sought his bed to sleep. He always left early in the morning and at night he came home late, so that he could be with his friends as long as possible. His father had met with an accident some years ago; he also had been called Peter the goatherd. His mother, whose name was Brigida, was called Goatherd Peter's wife and his blind grandmother was called by young and old from many miles about just grandmother.

Deta waited about ten minutes to see if the children were coming up behind with the goats. As she could not find them anywhere, she climbed up a little higher to get a better view down the valley from there, and peered from side to side with marks of great impatience on her countenance.

The children in the meantime were ascending slowly in a zigzag way, Peter always knowing where to find all sorts of good grazing places for his goats where they could nibble. Thus they strayed from side to side. The poor little girl had followed the boy only with the greatest effort and she was panting in her heavy clothes. She was so hot and uncomfortable that she only climbed by exerting all her strength. She did not say anything but looked enviously at Peter, who jumped about so easily in his light trousers and bare feet. She envied even  more the goats that climbed over bushes, stones, and steep inclines with their slender legs. Suddenly sitting down on the ground the child swiftly took off her shoes and stockings. Getting up she undid the heavy shawl and the two little dresses. Out she slipped without more ado and stood up in only a light petticoat. In sheer delight at the relief, she threw up her dimpled arms, that were bare up to her short sleeves. To save the trouble of carrying them, her aunt had dressed her in her Sunday clothes over her workday garments. Heidi arranged her dresses neatly in a heap and joined Peter and the goats. She was now as light-footed as any of them. When Peter, who had not paid much attention, saw her suddenly in her light attire, he grinned. Looking back, he saw the little heap of dresses on the ground and then he grinned yet more, till his mouth seemed to reach from ear to ear; but he said never a word.

The child, feeling free and comfortable, started to converse with Peter, and he had  to answer many questions. She asked him how many goats he had, and where he led them, what he did with them when he got there, and so forth.

SHE UNDID THE HEAVY SHAWL AND THE TWO LITTLE DRESSES

At last the children reached the summit in front of the hut. When Deta saw the little party of climbers she cried out shrilly: Heidi, what have you done? What a sight you are! Where are your dresses and your shawl? Are the new shoes gone that I just bought for you, and the new stockings that I made myself? Where are they all, Heidi?

The child quietly pointed down and said There.

The aunt followed the direction of her finger

Reviews for Heidi

[starbox_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After a recent trip to Switzerland, was motivated to re-read after about 50 years. - and it's amazing how much comes back to me. Even the names of the goats, the nasty Fraulein Rottenmeier...Reading it as an adult, it IS a tad saccharine and religious ; but it's not aimed at adults, and I loved it as a child.When orphaned Heidi is dumped on a curmudgeonly grandfather, living apart from the rest of the village on a mountain, the neighbours foresee her having a tough time. But the old man gradually unbends, and Heidi soon adores the outdoors life, helping goatherd Peter with the animals and visiting his blind grandmother. But then Heidi's aunt whisks back into their life, having found the child a 'situation' as companion to a well-to-do wheelchair-bound girl in Frankfurt...Much homesickness, a taking on board of the precepts of Christianity...and a successful ending for all.

[karenleefield · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heidi by Johanna Spyri was written around 1880 and for this reason the wording is very old fashion and stiff to read. Yet, knowing the era the story is set in suits the formal writing. I found it easy to accept and even to ignore.Heidi is about a young girl who lives in the Swiss mountains. Everyone who meets her falls under her spell as she is a girl of innocence and loves helping people. Her loving nature and giving heart result in people depending on her more than they should.The story is well known by most people, as it was to me. What I didn’t know was that the book is heavily religious orientated. These days, a writer is warned to be subtle in the messages they wish to share with their audience. The messages within Heidi were not subtle! The messages are clear and strong, sometimes even a bit overpowering, but I didn't allow that to ruin the story."Give with a willing heart.""Remember God in all that you do and the reward will be greater than your wish."I’m glad I read the ebook for no other reason than the fact that I can now say I’ve read it. It was good to revisit a childhood story and discover new things within it.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved "Heidi" as a little girl and having just revisited it, it was still a sweet read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful Swiss Alps, which I was lucky enough to visit last year.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Digital audiobook performed by Johanna Ward. 4.5**** This classic of children’s literature tells the story of Heidi, a young orphan girl who lives with her gruff grandfather up on a Swiss mountain. She befriends Peter, the goatherd, and becomes beloved by all the villagers. I’d seen the Shirley Temple movie about a million times when I was a child and absolutely loved it, but I had never read the book. It’s a wonderful story about a child who has lost much but relishes all that she has. She’s intelligent, open-minded, hind-hearted and has a great generosity of spirit. She comes across several mean-spirited (and downright nasty) people, but her cheerfulness wins over many people and she eventually prevails. I listened to the audio performed by Johanna Ward. She does a marvelous job, with clear diction and a pace that isn’t too fast for younger listeners to absorb.

[janeajones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My mother read Heidi to me when I was 5, and I reread it every year until I went to college.

[pennykaplan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reread this as background reading for a trip to Switzerland. Yes, it's rather sickly sweet, and a bit heavy with God making all right, but I still enjoyed this tale of the irrepressibly good Heidi

[ctpress_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it, but then again - I have a high threshold for sentimental stories. Heidi’s innocence reminded me of Little Lord Fauntleroy. They change everything around them with their boldness and joy. They are kindred spirits. Both are helping to dig out the heart of gold thats buried deep inside a gruff, reclusive man. In Heidi’s case its Alm Uncle who lives in the mountains and who reluctantly have to raise orphaned Heidi all alone. This story also let me reflect upon the providence of God as it is one of the themes in the novel. The book is filled with “God-talk” - too preachy? Maybe. But somehow nothing beats the simple straightforward faith of a little child. The grandmother in Frankfurt teaches Heidi to pray and talks in length about God’s providence - and Heidi reflects several times upon it later in the book and talks to Alm Uncle and her friend Clara about it: “We must go on praying for everything, so that God may know we do not forget that it all comes from Him. If we forget God, then He lets us go our own way and we get into trouble; grandmamma told me so. And if He does not give us what we ask for we must not think that He has not heard us and leave off praying, but we must still pray and say, I am sure, dear God, that Thou art keeping something better for me, and I will not be unhappy, for I know that Thou wilt make everything right in the end”. Well, thanks Heidi. For your love of goats, flowers and for reading all those hymns for your blind grandmother and for bringing her soft white bread to eat and pillows so she can sleep. And for always praying as your grandmother in Frankfurt told you to - and for believing - even when God does not answer - that he is keeping something better for you.

[deckla_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this when I was a child and reread it recently. I hadn't realized the Christian sensibility; it turns out many of the books I read as a child had this perspective. But Spyri excels at describing the mountain and the natural settings, exquisitely.

[osunale · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I checked this book out from the library numerous times in my elementary school years. Something about the warm-hearted and spirited mountain girl Heidi always kept me running back to this book, though it was perhaps the beautiful descriptions of the mountains and the goats that most fascinated me - I had no trouble reading and then re-reading some of the best passages for hours on end. Finally bought my own copy a couple of years ago when walking through a used books store contemplating purchasing possibilities: I passed the children's section and Heidi jumped to mind, and, luckily, it was in stock. I read it again and found it every bit as enjoyable as I did when younger, though I find myself even more drawn to the outdoors imagery as opposed to the people than I did before. If the book has any fault, it is that its innocent-girl-changes-all-the-bitter-people-around-her story is a little too sweet, sometimes bordering on the preachy, and is, at times, almost laughable. But it's difficult to really hold this against the work, as it is rather a moral story for children. In that light it succeeds brilliantly. Any child that doesn't get to experience the simple joy that is Heidi is missing out on a treasure among books.

[quaintlittlehead · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first chapter book, which my dad read to me nightly as a seven year old because I could never get past the first chapter on my own. I remember liking it, but had no recollection of the plot beyond the fact that Heidi is a little Swiss girl. As it turns out, there's not much more to it.Rereading as an adult, I still enjoy the book, but it lacks the weight of great literature that accompanies some other children's classics. It is a simple moral tale and does a marvelous job of presenting the world through a child's eyes. Heidi seems to warm the heart of everyone she meets, and points to God as one who will do good to the faithful in His perfect timing. The message is saccharine but not cloying, and helped by the refreshing respite of descriptive detail provided about Heidi's Alpine home (and if you've ever visited Switzerland, you'll know that it is just as rejuvenating a place as Spyri claims). The characters at times could have been better fleshed out; you never find out why, for example, Heidi's grandfather has turned his back on the town, and though the heroine is equal parts ornery and adorable, she lacks the spunk of an Anne Shirley or a Jo March. However, this is a nice book to introduce children to rich descriptive language about places and not just about plot details or characterisation, and an adequate precursor to those beloved novels. Think of it as a fine Christmas dessert, to be enjoyed, in moderation, at a specific time in life, but not to be feasted on regularly, and you and your children will probably have as much fun with it as I did as a seven year old.

[nickki_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heidi lives with her grandpa in his little wooden house, high up in the mountaines of Switzerland.One day her aunt comes and takes her to Frankfult. And then, Haidi met Clara,who has lost the use of her legs.This story is very famous in Japan. so, I watched many times on the TV when i was little.no matter i know this story well, i would enjoy this warm story.

[leslie398 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartwarming tale lived up to my memories. Narrator Marnie MacAdams did a good job except for the voice of Frau Rottenmeier, which I didn't like.

[lisa2013_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

recommended for: girls of all agesI reread this story frequently as a girl. One of the most evocative and effectively descriptive books I’ve ever read. A wonderful story about a young girl who goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Loved the side story that takes place in town away from her grandfather as well. I always craved cheese and bread as I read the story, and there was nothing more satisfying than curling up with Heidi and some cheese & bread. When young, I didn’t understand that the goat cheese described in the book was different from the cow’s milk cheese I ate. (Now that I’m a long term vegan, I would no longer crave any animal procured cheese, but I think I’d still enjoy the story.) A worthy children’s classic. The sequels: Heidi Grows Up and Heidi’s Children were written by a different author – the original author’s translator. I enjoyed them, but they were not as pleasurable to read as Heidi.

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

That was pleasant. I had a mind to read Heidi ever since I saw the 1993 Disney film with Noley Thornton as Heidi and Jason Robards as her grandfather. Wonderful movie I watched several times (much better than the 1937 version, I'd say), but I never got around to reading the book in childhood. I recently figured it wasn't too late, so I got my hands on a copy. Glad I did (though there's not much accurate about the long-haired girl standing next to a pond or lake or something, on the cover of my copy. Should be a short-haired curly top on a mountain!)I found I liked the overall pacing of the 1993 movie better than the book, which seemed to have a lag in the middle, but then I learned that the book was originally published as two works. Knowing the second half of the story was originally a sequel explains the pacing, and I was surprised and buoyed by the God-lessons present in the book. Reading it answered some questions I had as a child when I watched the film, namely: "What's supposed to happen to Heidi in a few years though, since her grandfather is old?" The book did have an end or two that could be described as loose, and though the next volume of Heidi's story was not written by Spyri, and I wouldn't call myself the hugest fan of writers writing continuations to other people's stories, I'm tempted to check out the next book to see what's what in it, since it seems to be a pretty accepted sequel.Again I say, pleasant reading. Definitely a book I'd recommend for children--and maybe even other adults who didn't get around to reading it earlier, like me.

[sesameg_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book as a child, but now... Heidi is a little bit over the top in her 'high on life in the mountains' approach. Also, there is the strange scene where Peter must learn to read and is 'encouraged' by rhymes that tell him he'll be beaten or shipped off to the Hottentots if he doesn't succeed! Still worth reading, but... just the tiniest bit psycho, IMHO.

[monado_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this when I was a child. Now I'd find it a little to simple and wholesome.

[thebookmagpie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book in a way I could never love Little Women or Anne of Green Gables, and I have no idea why. I think something about it just appealed to me. However, the sequel is actually BETTER.

[ayumig_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is that a little Swiss girl Heidi goes to live with her grandfather (ancle Alp) His home is a little house on a mountain . He loves Heidi and he sometimes angry and feels sad .I think that almost of the people know this story and I have been looked anime on TV when I was a junior high scholl student . I like a cirtai scene that Clara was able to walk herself !! This is a wonderful surprise . If my best friend asks me help , I will work hard for my friend .

[momma2_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was actually surprised at how much the kids really enjoyed this book. This story has a very simple charm although for me I will have to say the charm was tainted a little when I read that it was supposedly autobiographical. It just seems wrong to paint yourself as a saint. But as a fictional character Heidi is the epitome of sweetness, light and charity. Even the antagonists in the story are very mild. Everything about this story was a little saccharine but apparently the kids enjoy that because they begged for more. Oh and the goats, we loved the German names of the goats!

[christinelstanley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first read this when I was 8, and have read it to/with my own daughters. This is a firm favourite and even now, it's part of my "comfort reading". I most recently read it again just before xmas after a bout of flu. Better than chicken soup!

[bigorangecat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderfully written children's book that this "boomer" still loves to read.

[the1butterfly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So, okay, Heidi's one of those characters that're excessively perfect, but the story is captivating nonetheless. Heidi's creative, and her fun in the Alps was fun to read about. What I remember perhaps the most about this book was that she learned to read after she discovered the value of reading- that the letters held words and stories.

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My copy of Heidi is actually a hardback with beautiful illustrations. I loved this book. Probably very unrealistic, with an overly idyllic picture of the setting -- but lovely all the same.

[carolyn7727 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful- a classic, a simple story of a little girl growing up in the mountains.

[mialro_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet story. Rather religious without crossing the line into preachy. Love her idyllic existence with her grandfather; that's probably my favorite part of the book.

[richard015 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is famous story. Main character's name is Heidi.But true name is not Heidi, but Adelheid.She lives with her grandfather in his little wooden house. Miraculously,people often change when they meet little Heidi!!This story made me feel happy and moved me.Especially, when you are not fine, I want you to read this book!!

[jillrhudy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You can taste this novel. You can breathe it. You can feel the embraces of the grandfather and Peter's mother. Your own legs tingle as Clara's come to life and she begins to walk. Heidi may be just a shade on the corny side (and the movies are even worse), but Spyri's classic is uniquely alive, incredibly sensuous. You are genuinely thrilled when Heidi gets back to the mountains, genuinely moved when Clara walks and the reclusive grandfather is brought back into his community. A beauty.

[redon_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Normally I have a very high tolerance for old-fashioned stories featuring unrealistically saccharine children; I'm very fond of A Little Princess, The Five Little Peppers, and the like. I have to say, though, Heidi exceeded my limits. Part of it is that I have a distinct dislike for preachy characters; Heidi gets religion partway through the book (for no reason other than that someone tells her to do so), and for the rest of the story is prone to breaking out in lectures about how good God is and how one must never forget to pray. It isn't so frequent that I couldn't have overlooked it, but I didn't find the rest of the story charming enough to make up for it. There's far too much telling rather than showing in the narration; aside from one cute interlude in the schoolroom, we are generally only informed that Heidi shakes up the Sesemann household and makes it more interesting and cheerful. Mostly what we are shown is Heidi moping around and bursting into tears because she's homesick for the Alps, and it's not terribly clear why most of the household seems to find her such a treasure. When she's in the Alps, she tends to be a bit of a broken record about how beautiful everything is or how she wants to do X to help Y/is going to do X to help Y/is so happy she got to do X to help Y; it gets extremely repetitive, even for a children's book. The other characters weren't any more interesting; Heidi's friend Peter is a sullen little thing who rarely does anything aside from get violently jealous whenever Heidi pays attention to someone else (to the point that it's vaguely disturbing), and the grandmother apparently exists only to be an object of pity. Heidi's grandfather is supposed to be a grouchy old man melted by the sheer force of Heidi's charisma, but seeing as this transformation takes place more or less five minutes after they're introduced, it's not terribly convincing; even the infamous Little Lord Fauntleroy pulled it off more gracefully. The Sesemanns don't get enough dialogue to be very interesting as individuals, aside from Fraulein Rottenmeier, who is intended to be unlikeable. I did like Sebastian the butler, but then I also kept accidentally replacing him with Sebastian from Black Butler in my mind's eye - which was a terribly entertaining thought, of course, but had little to do with the story as written. The plot is fairly meandering, and not enough really happens to compensate for the weak characters. (It did make me laugh once, though, when Heidi's Aunt Dete comes to the grandfather's hut in her floor-length, sweeping skirts and the narration points out that there are things on the floor of a goatherd's hut that do not belong in a dress.) The descriptions of the Alps were lovely, of course, and if all you're interested in is the scenery, go ahead. Otherwise, there are plenty of books about adorable, cheerful little girls spreading sweetness and light in their wake, and I'd choose a different one.

[clatters · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The best part of the books was that the grandfather opened his heart.

[hamburgerclan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Heidi". Can you believe I'm reading freakin' "Heidi"? Is that desperation, or what? Actually, I have to confess that lack of reading material doesn't figure into this. "Heidi" is on the list of books that my younger daughter has to read/have read to her for school. To be a good teacher, I figure I should read the literature the curriculum is foisting upon my kids. But whatever the motivation, I have perused "Heidi" and have to admit that I enjoyed it. I didn't think I was going to. I mean, I think that repeated exposure to "The Brady Bunch" in my formative years has permanently prejudiced me to "nice" stories and characters. So I was expecting "Heidi" to be a drag. It didn't start out so great. This book was originally written in German and the characters speak and act a bit off from what I'm used to. And the lead character was, as expected, a sweet, innocent little girl who spreads sunshine wherever she goes. But for some reason, that didn't annoy me so much. Maybe it was her way of innocently challenging the status quo, be it by tossing her fancy clothes aside when she got hot or by tweaking the ever restrictive Fraulein Rottenmeier. (love that name...) Or maybe it's that Heidi didn't manage to totally redeem the world--some sadness remained and some people resisted the child's charm. Whatever it was, by the end I was willingly reading the novel, wondering how it would all end. I even have to recommend that you check it out. You can always go watch "The Simpsons" later.--J.