Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
35(35%)
4 stars
28(28%)
3 stars
37(37%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
It was with a great deal of dismay that I realized my beloved Anne of Green Gables must have been patterned, at least in part, after this book.

I suppose I had enjoyed thinking of Anne as her own entity--a fresh and new conception on the part of L.M. Montgomery. However, Rebecca changed that notion for me. A great part of Rebecca's personality is given to Anne along with similarity of circumstance and experiences.

At first, this made me dislike Rebecca. She felt like an impostor since I had known Anne so intimately and for so long. But as I delved deeper into Rebecca's story, the more I liked her for herself. I love her poetry, her innocence, her spunk.

I didn't care too much for the "romantic" part of the story (I use quotation marks, since this part is more hinted at without coming to fruition in the book itself). Additionally, I also would have been happy to see Rebecca do something more with the education that was supposed to be "the making of her".

It seemed as though she was meant to have more adventures, but the book leaves us in a spot that feels a little stale, I guess. Nevertheless, all in all, I enjoyed the book, and once I tried to get over my comparison to Anne, I liked Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm quite nicely.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Just ok.

My main problem is that Rebecca and some storylines are so similar to Anne of Green Gables.

It seems as if there are certain parallels that cannot be ignored.

However, when we compare the two, it becomes evident that LM Montgomery did a much better job fleshing out the characters and story.

Montgomery's ability to bring the characters to life, with their unique personalities, dreams, and flaws, is truly remarkable.

The story of Anne of Green Gables is rich and detailed, taking the readers on a wonderful journey through the lives of the characters.

In contrast, Rebecca and its storylines may lack the depth and complexity that Montgomery achieved.

Perhaps more could have been done to develop the characters and make the story more engaging.

Overall, while Rebecca may have some similarities to Anne of Green Gables, it falls short in comparison to the masterful work of LM Montgomery.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I truly enjoyed this book to a much greater extent than I had initially anticipated. It is a novel that indeed merits being placed in the same category as "Anne of Green Gables" due to its charming and lovable characters.

However, I don't believe that Wiggin is anywhere near as proficient a writer as Montgomery. Wiggin has a significantly stronger inclination towards sentimentality. Additionally, she has the habit of constructing long, metaphorical sentences that frequently hinder rather than enhance the clarity of what she is attempting to convey.

Nonetheless, on the whole, this is a delightful and engaging little book that has endured through the ages for a valid reason. It manages to capture the hearts of readers with its endearing story and characters, despite some of its writing flaws. It serves as a testament to the power of a good story, even when presented with a few imperfections.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This book was truly charming. It had a certain allure that kept me engaged from the very beginning. The story was filled with interesting characters and unique plot twists that made it quite captivating. However, I must admit that there were some parts that were rather tedious.

These sections seemed to drag on and on, and I found myself losing interest at times. It felt as if the author was going into too much detail or repeating the same ideas over and over again.

Despite these drawbacks, I still enjoyed the overall experience of reading this book. The charming aspects outweighed the tedious parts, and I was able to overlook the flaws and focus on the good.

I would recommend this book to others, but I would also caution them to be prepared for the occasional dull moment.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I can't think of much that I either loved or hated about Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.

It was a cute read, yet I have no intense emotions towards it. Rebecca is a likable character, and her complex relationship with her strict aunt Miranda is the most engaging story arc in the book. However, if you have read Anne of Green Gables or Emily of New Moon, you probably won't discover much that is distinct here. I loathe comparing these books, but there are so many resemblances that they are impossible to overlook. I have no clue if L.M. Montgomery drew any inspiration from Kate Douglas Wiggin or if the numerous story parallels are mere coincidences, but the comparisons are inescapable.

I feel guilty for not favoring Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm since it preceded the others, but it just seems very one-dimensional. There are moments of drama and humor, but the narration is somewhat too remote to make these parts as impactful as they could have been. Most of the secondary characters are forgettable, and most of the incidents in Rebecca's daily life are not particularly remarkable. The prose is pleasant, though, not becoming overly flowery when it isn't necessary.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is well-written, but too detached and monotonous to be truly memorable for me. It would likely suit anyone who desires a slower-paced version of the old-fashioned coming-of-age story, as the tone is reminiscent of Little Women. It's not a bad or unworthy book, just not the sort of thing that lingers with me personally.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I was repeatedly irked by the frequent reminders from the author about how much better Rebecca was than all the other children.

It seemed as if the author couldn't stop singing her praises. Rebecca was described as being more interesting, smarter, and livelier.

To be honest, it made me wonder what kind of a person she really was. Was she truly as perfect as the author made her out to be?

I couldn't help but think that growing up with such a girl would be extremely annoying.

She would always be in the spotlight, getting all the attention and praise.

Count me as unimpressed. I'm not one to be swayed by such one-sided descriptions.

I prefer to form my own opinions based on my own experiences and interactions.

Maybe if I had actually met Rebecca, I would have a different perspective. But as it stands, I'm not convinced that she's as amazing as the author claims.
July 15,2025
... Show More
A truly delightful story indeed! This particular one instantly reminded me of the charming Anne of Green Gables. It was so deep and rich in its narrative that it effortlessly drew me in and entertained me for hours on end.

The narrator, Barbara Caruso, at times, might have had a voice that sounded somewhat similar to that of the actress Tyne Daly. However, this didn't detract from her performance in the slightest. In fact, I thought she did a brilliant job of bringing Rebecca and all the other interesting characters to life.

The story had a wonderful combination of poignancy and the endearing chatterbox qualities that made it truly engaging. I found myself completely immersed in the world of the story and couldn't help but enjoy every moment of it.

Definitely, this is one story that I will most certainly read again sometime in the future. It's a gem that I'm sure will continue to bring joy and entertainment with each subsequent reading.

It should be noted that the content contains two profanities and mentions of tobacco. While these elements didn't overly impact my overall enjoyment of the story, they are something to be aware of.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This book shares a remarkably similar theme with well-known works like Pollyanna and Anne of Green Gables.

Just like those beloved classics, it is exquisitely written. The author has crafted a story that is both engaging and captivating.

From the very first page, readers are drawn into a world filled with charm and wonder.

The characters are vividly brought to life, and their adventures and experiences are relatable and heartwarming.

It is a book that is truly hard to put down and impossible not to enjoy.

Whether you are a fan of coming-of-age stories or simply appreciate beautifully written literature, this book is sure to delight.

It has the power to transport you to another time and place, and leave you with a sense of joy and inspiration.

So, if you are looking for a good read that will warm your heart and touch your soul, look no further than this wonderful book.
July 15,2025
... Show More
What a truly weird little book this is!

It was penned a full 5 years prior to the beloved Anne of Green Gables. While there are certain similarities in theme between the two, that's where the resemblance ends. In fact, Anne of Green Gables is easily about 10 times better.

The writing in this particular book is highly inconsistent. The dialogue often comes across as contrived, lacking the natural flow and authenticity that makes for engaging reading. Moreover, the characters themselves lack depth. They seem rather one-dimensional, failing to truly come alive on the page.

And let's not even get started on Rebecca's so-called "love interest," the 30-year-old Alan Ladd. The idea that he falls for her when she's just 11 years old and pursues her in the way he does is more than a little disturbing. It gives one the creeps and makes it difficult to fully invest in the story.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I know I read this for the first time several years ago, and it was okay.

Only when I joined GR did I notice (as more perspicacious reviewers point out) its enormous resemblance to Anne of Green Gables, published years after this book.

Montgomery split up the arrival-local schooling and friends-education-family dynamic-eventual romance into different books, while Wiggin tried to cram it all into one volume.

The similarities are evident. Rebecca is the vivid, imaginative girl with native intelligence, like Anne Shirley.

She pairs up with a dull neighbour girl and is worshipped by her.

Marilla and Miranda are both emotionally stunted and puritanical, and their names both start with M!

There is also the lost money that causes an illness.

I didn't enjoy this book as much at the second reading because Wiggin skimped and skimmed on character and event development to make room for her personal philosophising and preaching, as well as Mr Alladin's romantic flights of fancy.

Rebecca is always the queen of her set, but the author punishes her by snatching away her prizes, trips, and accolades.

The one vacation she takes is not really described, and instead, we get a fable that seems too advanced for a fourteen-year-old girl.

Just in passing, it's interesting to note that in those days, many elementary school teachers in the US had only a high school education, yet academic standards were much higher than they are today with so many MAs and PhDs in the field.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is a beloved American children's novel from 1903 by Kate Douglas Wiggin. It tells the story of Rebecca Rowena Randall and her aunts in Riverboro, Maine. Everyone seems to love Rebecca, except for a few. When the aunts invite Mrs. Randall's daughter to live with them, they actually want Hannah, but since she's needed at home, Rebecca goes instead. Rebecca is full of fire and spirit, with a great sense of humor. She's not as patient as Hannah, though, and gets impatient with hard tasks on the farm.

As she travels to her aunts' house with Mr. Cobb, she chats non-stop and shows her excitement. By the time they arrive, Mr. Cobb adores her. Aunt Miranda isn't too thrilled at first, but Aunt Jane quickly grows to love her. At school, Rebecca has a big impact. She infuses a new spirit, teaches the Simpson brothers to recite verses, writes a poem for a lisping girl, and draws an American flag that delights everyone. She also sells soap to buy a lamp for a poor family, and Alan Ladd is so impressed that he buys three hundred bars.

However, the narrator doesn't like Rebecca because she's loved by everyone no matter what. But others, like Jack Kerouac, Mark Twain, and Jack London, have praised the book. Maybe if the narrator had read it as a young girl, she would have felt differently. But based on her memories of being a young girl, she doubts it. Happy reading!
July 15,2025
... Show More

In many aspects, it is very similar to the Canadian "Anne of Green Gables" - a precocious and poor girl is taken in and raised by a pair of siblings, one strict and the other sweet. However, if LM Montgomery borrowed ideas from "Rebecca" for the book she would publish five years later, she managed to do something equivalent to taking the Wright Brothers' aeroplane plans and modifying them to produce a Boeing 747. The prose in this work is pedantic. The wealthy patron who comes to her rescue is a tired (and slightly Nabokovian) trope. Moreover, the author seems to have the intention of overwhelming the reader with a thesaurus, spraying her with commas, and then driving away in a getaway horse and buggy.


I got about 3/4 through reading this to my daughter. But her boredom forced me to give it up and finish it myself. It was a bit disappointing as I had hoped she would enjoy it as much as I thought I would. However, the writing style and the overly elaborate language seemed to be a turn-off for her. Maybe it's a book that is better suited for a more mature audience or those who have a particular taste for this kind of writing.

Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.