Customer Reviews

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (Books of Wonder)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No review could do this marvelous book justice, but I will attempt it. My mother bought the book for me some years ago because she thought it would be good for me to read classics. Thinking that it would be boring, I didn't read it for a long time. But a couple of days ago I was bored and picked it up. Soon, I fell under the same spell Rebecca cast over nearly every person she met. Around the age of 10 or 11, she was forced to leave her home, Sunnybrook Farm, to live in a brick house with her spinster aunts in Riverboro. Her aunts Jane and Miranda weren't used to young people, but they let Rebecca stay with them in order to help out her poor widowed mother who had 6 other children to care for. Rebecca charmed nearly all the citizens of Riverboro, Aunt Jane, and, in time, her strict, austere Aunt Miranda.

There were many things to love about the story. In fact, it has become one of my favorite books of all time. (and I am a voracious reader) The characters were all realistically and richly delineated. Rebecca especially came alive for me. She was such a talented, imaginative, caring girl. She was the kind of person that anyone would love to have as a friend. Actually, I would want to be her. I didn't want to stop reading about her adventures. The events played before my mind's eye like a movie. I traveled back in time, to 100 years ago. This is considered a children's book, but it has truths and insights that people of all ages can learn from. Several of the passages, the literary allusions, and Rebecca's poems were so beautiful that I had to reread them. The language was eloquent. As another reviewer said, the vocabulary wasn't "dumbed down" like the vocabularies of modern children's books, and there was a protagonist one could love.

The only part about the novel that I didn't like was that there isn't a sequel. I would love to find out what Rebecca's career turns out to be. I believe that she marries Mr. Ladd (a.k.a. "Mr. Aladdin"), but I wish we could know for sure.

Overall, I highly reccomend this book to readers of all ages. If you like books with wonderful supporting characters and an unusual, loveable heroine, treat yourself to "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm".

I tried to read this book to my 5 year old daughters, (they loved Anne of Green Gables), but the language was too advanced for them. However I couldn't put it down. Ms. Wiggin's use of turn of phrase and metaphor remind me so much of Mark Twain. I'm in awe of their common talent for making it possible to see a concept in a new light by merely a precise juxtaposition of words. Much of this might be lost on younger readers, but my daughters were nevertheless facinated by Rebecca's spirit; so much so, that they asked me to tell them the whole story when I had finished.

Rebecca has been my friend since I read her story in a cheap Whitman hardback when I was a little girl. A lively and creative 10-year-old girl is sent to her maiden aunts to receive a good education, but chafes under the restrictive yoke of her elder aunt. As Rebecca learns to channel her energies into positive action, she remains unquenched by her dour aunt and lends joy to both the younger aunt, but also the elderly Cobbs and her best friend, Emma Jane Perkins. The vocabulary in the story may be a bit high for younger readers as REBECCA was not actually written as a children's story; it was the best seller of the year 1904. There is a sequel, NEW CHRONICLES OF REBECCA, that is worth finding, with more adventures of Rebecca, the Simpson children, and even Emma Jane.

I am 9 years old and just read the book. It was so interesting, I read it in one day! I think everyone should read this book because it really touched my heart; and it probably would do the same to yours!

I bought this book because I was told that it is similar to the beloved Anne of Green Gables. And it is! It's not only a wonderful story, but after reading it you feel like you gained something. That is very rare from books, to come away feeling like the hours you put into reading have left you with a lasting impression. This book stays with you, the story is so rich and engaging. The character is someone that young girls can understand and feel for. Not only that, but unlike many of the books our society seems to produce for our young daughters, this book will enlighten and enrich, not harm!

At age 10, Rebecca is sent away by her mother to the village of Riverboro to live with her two aunts, strict Aunt Miranda, and soft-hearted Aunt Jane. In her long carriage trip from Sunnybrook Farm to Riverboro, Rebecca meets the good Mr. Cobb, the carriage-driver and soon become friends. During her first days at Riverboro with her aunts, Rebecca tries to be obedient and useful, however, nothing she does seems to please Aunt Miranda and Rebecca feels unwanted and longs to go back home. But a visit to Mr. Cobb allows her to discover that even if Aunt Miranda doesn't particularly want her, Aunt Jane sure does for she shows it with daily affection.

Rebecca soon learns to love both of her aunts, and meets many new friends in Riverboro, some young and some old. Rebecca begins school, amazing everyone with her abilities and wisdom. The entire idea of Rebecca coming to Riverboro in the first place was for it to be the 'making of her,' meaning having her grow up into a fine young lady who will be able to return to Sunnybrook Farm and help her mother and her six brothers and sisters by working hard. Aunt Miranda and Aunt Jane risk and lower their spendings in order to be able to send Rebecca and keep her at the grand school of Wareham. There, Rebecca begins a life surrounded by responsabilities and begins to say goodbye to her childhood and hello to 'the making of her.'

Although the book is well-written, with many details and a high variety of vocabulary, I feel rather confused in many of the chapters, it is sometimes hard to keep up with everything that seems to be going on, the author seems to change the subject too sudden sometimes and begins talking about something different. Some chapters talk about the past and go as a total blurr, having me feel as if I had been staring at a blank piece of paper the whole time. There are fun scenes, there are some more boring scenes and there are heart-warming scenes. I do not recommend "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" to younger readers because the reading level is quite high, so you might not understand a lot of it. If you are one of those people who cannot read a book with too many character sub-plots, then you'll probably find Rebecca to be a hard book and might not enjoy it.

A wonderful book for libertarians. This book, completely non-political, describes a time in our nation's history when people abhorred debt, education was voluntary, and charity existed at a local level. The characters are beautifully drawn with rich words. This book is also wonderful for those who have tired of the "Youth" books with dumbed down vocabularies and protagonists one would not want as a neighbor, let alone as a friend. Rebecca makes do with what she has, is thankful and kind, and works hard. Rebecca is the sort of girl we all want to be and have as a friend.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is a charming story. I have read it and re-read it countless times and it never fails to bring a smile to my face. The tale of an impoverished girl growing up to see the bright side of things is touching. I loved the quaint writing style. Overall, 5 stars!

I found this book to be very enjoyable. Kate Douglas Wiggins does a superb job of introducing us to little Rebecca, and we grow to love her by the end of the book,though by then she has grown from a ten-year-old girl into an intelligent young woman. This book also captures old-fashioned life in the New England area. All in all, it is a relaxing and inspirational book.

My mother read this book to my younger sister, brother and I when I was all of 7 or 8. Nearly 10 years later I still remember clearly how we would beg her to read "just one more chapter!" before bed. I remember being completely drawn in, captured, utterly enchanted with Rebecca and her travails. I still recall the disaster of the pink parasol as if it were my own tragedy! :) As an adult I can now see what a marvelous job the author did capturing and nurturing little minds regarding complicated interpersonal issues like personality conflicts. (Rebecca and Aunt Miranda) Because Rebecca is so easy to identify with, she is able to gently guide the reader through the process of learning and understanding to love and appreciate someone very different from yourself. She does such a marvelous job of entertaining and simultaneously provoking thought. Wonderful book- fabulous author. Highly recommended especially for girls.