ISBN-13: 978-0140374551Publisher: Puffin Classics
Published: September 1995
185 pgs
Source: Personal Library
When I first heard of Daddy Long Legs it was during my Secondary School days. I hate to admit it, but at that time I was not really interested in reading the book. I read the book title and that was it; I never made it a point of reading the blurb until I read Nymeth's lovely review she posted in January this year. Though I know it is never too late to read it (or any other things for that matter), imagine what I have missed during all these years!
Anyway, Daddy Long Legs centers the life of an orphan called Jerusha Abbot (but she called herself 'Judy') and how her life change after an orphanage's trustee decided to sponsor her education. As much as Judy is thrilled and touched by her benefactor's kindness and generosity, she didn't have the chance of meeting him in person though she did get a quick glimpse of him and knew he is skinny and tall. He has asked to remain anonymous and wanted Judy to write to him instead and telling him about her progress in school, but then she would not expect any response from him.
Though intrigued by his anonymity, Judy adheres to his 'rules' and consistently write him letters, and she will address him as 'Daddy-Long-Legs' due to his physique, or sometimes Mr John Smith if she wants to be formal. In any way, Judy's letters are a sheer delight to read if you ask me, because most of the times they are packed with humour and a little sarcasm (though they are mostly her ramblings rather than mean). I could not count the number of times I actually grin or chuckle while reading her letters to Daddy-Long-Legs, and another thing I liked about those letters is she will sometimes include illustrations alongside with them and most of the time they amused me in a good way.
In short, Daddy Long Legs is a book that featured Judy's letters to Daddy-Long-Legs and oh, what a wonderful gem it is to my keeper's shelf. Aside from Judy's letters, I loved her voice and not to mention her personality and her outlook on life. I know I want to be her friend because she is fun and intelligent, sympathetic towards others, always willing to learn things (it made me smile when I knew her dream is to become a writer) and most of all she is never afraid to voice out her opinions, in which I most admire.
Daddy Long Legs is definitely one of those books that will bring delight not only to the young readers but adults alike. It left me a warm fuzzy feeling even after I closed the book and I hope anyone of you who has not read this book will pick it up soon. Now I will add Dear Enemy on to my wishlist and I hope my experience of reading this book will be the same (or hopefully will be much better) after reading Daddy Long Legs.
Daddy Long Legs is definitely one of those books that will bring delight not only to the young readers but adults alike. It left me a warm fuzzy feeling even after I closed the book and I hope anyone of you who has not read this book will pick it up soon. Now I will add Dear Enemy on to my wishlist and I hope my experience of reading this book will be the same (or hopefully will be much better) after reading Daddy Long Legs.
Other reviews:
(Let me know if I missed yours.)
Posts
It's always a great when you find a book that is delightful and treasure. Sound like you enjoy the book, and I'm glad you like as much as you got the book. Great review :)
I've never read this but it's one of the books that has been on one of my lists for a few years now.
It's always interesting which books don't appeal to us at certain times in our lives but which we come to love later on. This sounds like a touching book. I am glad you enjoyed it, Melody.
I really enjoyed this one and yay for Ana and her inspiration (I think she read it because another blogger had reviewed it) for bringing it to the rest of us!
Yes, I saw Ana and Raych's reviews on this one. I never would have given it a second glance, but it sounds so adorable! I am hoping that maybe one of my kids will read it with me.
I'm loving it that everyone's reading this book! I read it as a kid and it's fantastic to see so many others around the blogosphere enjoying it recently.
I'm so glad you loved it, Melody! Dear Enemy is quite different - not nearly as delightful, really - but well worth reading all the same.
(And Aarti, it's all Jenny's fault really :P)
This sounds like such a sweet book. I had never heard of it until Nymeth's review I think. You girls are making me want to read this! :)
Yay! Glad Jerusha found another fan :)
Julia - Yeah, can you tell I love this book? :P I hope you'll read it one day soon.
Jen - Jen, go read it, now! :D
Wendy - Indeed, and I find moods play a part too. Nevertheless, I'm so glad I read this book! :)
Aarti - Yeah, that's why I think bookbloggers rock!! :D
Sandy - It's adorable, and touching! I hope you'll read this with your children soon!
Jenny - I'm jealous that you read this as a kid, I wish I did that!! :P But then, it's always better to be late than never, huh?
Ana - I love it to pieces, can you tell? :D Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention!
Iliana - I hope you'll read this soon! :)
Bibliolatrist - LOL. :D
I heard about this for the first time 2 months back. Loved your review, I'll make sure... to pick it up
My sister gave this book to me when I was a kid and I loved it the first time I read it. I think it's because I had pen-pals so I guess she thought this book will be useful for my letter-writing! :D
When I finished the book, I was cracking my head trying to figure out Daddy-Long-Legs' age - after discovering who he really was. How old do you think he is?
I read it in french. A very good book!
This is a vague memory from childhood but a book that I remember fondly. I think it must be time to revisit it!
Violet - I hope you'll enjoy the book as much as I did!
Josette - I'm bad when it comes to guessing game... anyway my guess is he might be in either mid or late twenties? :P
La Plume - I agree it's a good book! :)
Lisa - I really wish I had read this book when I was younger! I know this will be the book I will be revisiting next time!