Reviews

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin

renn20751's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

This book is over 100 years old, so perspective on the characters has likely changed. The fact that a GROWN MAN in his 30s chased after a tween/teen grosses me out.
I was raised in Maine, and can HEAR some of the same voices even today. Right down to the idea that a girl with a job isn't worth much.

It's just...ICK.

appaloosa05's review against another edition

This was an enjoyable read. Some similarities to Anne of Green Gables, which is one of my all time favorites, but certainly not the same story. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Anne of Green Gables, but I'm glad I gave it a go.

lisakerd's review against another edition

2.0

I would’ve enjoyed this book more if I hadn’t anticipated anything even remotely similar to the cherished Shirley Temple version of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Seeing as the story was nothing like my favorite Temple movie, and read like a knock-off Anne of Green Gable (I know Anne came out ~5 years after Rebecca, but I found it to be a superior version of the young, imaginative girl trope).

book_concierge's review against another edition

4.0

Rebecca Randall is the young girl at the center of this classic coming-of-age novel. Living on the idyllic Sunnybrook Farm with her six siblings and her widowed mother, she is sent at age nine to live with her two elderly aunts in Riverboro, Maine. In exchange for her help they will provide room and board, a suitable wardrobe and ensure she receives an education. Her mother hopes it will be “the making of Rebecca.” The novel follows Rebecca through young adulthood.

What a delight this classic is! Of course, I had seen the Shirley Temple movie several times when I was a child, but never read the book. While the novel is very different from Temple’s movie, Rebecca’s irrepressible character is the same. First published in 1903, it is set primarily in the late 19th century.

From the first introduction, as she boards the stagecoach as the lone passenger, Rebecca charms and entertains. She is ever curious, constantly moving, always exploring, and chattering away. She makes friends easily, whether it be with the elderly coach driver, or the girls and boys in her school. She makes mistakes and gets into mischief (what child doesn’t!), but she wins over even her irascible oldest aunt, Miranda.

I wish Wiggin had written a sequel; I sure would read more about Rebecca as a young woman. She’s every bit as engaging and interesting as Anne Shirley (of Green Gables) who was brought to life by L.M. Montgomery some five years after Rebecca Randall debuted.

mbrasseur19's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

Can't believe this was published before Anne of Green Gables. Rebecca seems like a Goody Two-shoes knock-off of Anne.

the_story_girl's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was such a sweet book! It’s very similar to Anne of Green Gables, and I was surprised to learn that this one was actually written first. The strong point of this book is definitely the characters, they were all wonderful and all so different in their own ways.💕

“It does make a difference what you call things. When
I say Randall's Farm, do you see how it looks?"

"No, I can't say I do," responded Mr. Cobb uneasily.

"Now when I say Sunnybrook Farm, what does
it make you think of?"

Mr. Cobb felt like a fish removed from his native
element and left panting on the sand; there was
no evading the awful responsibility of a reply, for
Rebecca's eyes were searchlights, that pierced the
fiction of his brain and perceived the bald spot on
the back of his head.”

“Give me some more examples of the subjunctive,
Rebecca, and that will do for this afternoon," she
said.

"If I had not loved mackerel I should not have
been thirsty;" said Rebecca with an April smile,
as she closed her grammar. "If thou hadst loved
me truly thou wouldst not have stood me up in the
corner. If Samuel had not loved wickedness he
would not have followed me to the water pail."

"And if Rebecca had loved the rules of the
school she would have controlled her thirst," finished
Miss Dearborn with a kiss, and the two parted
friends.”

Isn’t Rebecca so very like Anne?💕

4 stars✨
Book 8/52
~The Story Girl

celinafaramitha's review against another edition

4.0

Just trynna cure my obsession in reading classic children book these months.
I love the main character, and tbh remind me of myself according to Mom's story. I feel lil bit similiar with Becky, but only for trustworthy part and bravery. Dilligent and patient? No, i don't ever have it in my lifetime. -_-
I'm about to think this book will be perfect accompany for my future child's weekly reads.
But now the most important mission is to find their future father.
Lol.
Forget that.
But trust me this book is amazing.
((And older than you, it's more than 100 years and suitable for GRI challenge this month.))

dawnyamk's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

alwatts021's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rebroxannape's review against another edition

4.0

I loved the well-realized characters, life lessons demonstrated with a light, sometimes amusing touch, and words of wisdom. This is a great comfort read and trip back into time on par with, if not better than, L.M. Montgomery, Jean Webster, Louisa May Alcott, the Five Little Peppers and the Pollyanna series. It kept me interested from first page to last because of the quality of the writing. My only regret is the lack of any kind of sequel, unlike the previously mentioned works. It would have been lovely to see Rebecca's continued progress into maturity and what life may hold in store for her. (Although, in truth, it is made crystal clear that her final place will be as a teacher and the wife of Mr. Aladdin, her wealthy mentor, Adam Ladd.) Still, the journey there would have been a treat to read. Although some, looking at this relationship through modern eyes, might find it inappropriate, It was written with innocence and I found it charming. The book is concluded with her path pretty much set and the financial problems that beset her family pretty well solved. It does seem to me that if not Rebecca, the story of her brother John, destined to be a doctor, could have made a wonderful continuation.

https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/