Finished reading the first book in my Flashback Challenge -- Heidi -- real early this morning. Have a real bad cold so nothing to do but sit up in the recliner to keep from coughing and read. Not a long read really -- 14 chapters.
The author is Johanna Spyri. The original title was Heidi's Years of Wandering and Learning and published in 1880 in Germany. Title was shortened later to Heidi.
What I like about the book is the simplicity of life and people. You can see the dramatic affect a change of scenery had on Heidi from the known (life on the mountain with grandfather) to the unknown (life in the City of Frankfurt, Germany with Clara and Grandmamma). Some people adjust well to changes and others do not. Her lack of adjustment was more out of love for those she left behind as well as the environment. It doesn't mean that she didn't learn to care for Clara and Grandmamma because she did. She learned powerful lessons from Grandmamma. Grandmamma helped her to adjust her thinking regarding prayer and reading. The book that she learned to read from was no doubt one based on scripture stories of the Bible. In fact, it was the story of the Prodigal Son that Heidi read to her Grandfather that changed his heart regarding people he had abandoned in the past when she returned home to the mountain. The story starts and ends with a simpler life.
Sequels to the book Heidi were published by Charles Tritten in 1958. One is Heidi Grows Up and the other is Heidi's Children. I have not read either.
So I am on to my next book. Thinking about a book I read in 6th grade and did a book report about -- Annie Oakley. Again, it should be a short read, but one that should take me back a few years in my life when I can definitely say "life was simpler".
Happy reading to all!
Snowbird
1 comment:
I never knew about the "sequels" to Heidi! I'm making a big switch for my second re-read...from Little Women to Sci-fi/fantasy. Good thing I'm a jumper. :-)
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