This is a book that I had as a child. I kept it carefully and recently decided to revisit it.

As a child, I was really fond of reading. Even though I have a rather bad habit of decluttering, I did manage to keep some of my childhood favorite books. Whenever I'm in the mood for a good read but don't have the time to go to the bookstore, I'll pick one of these up.

Surprisingly, I had completely forgotten the plot line of this book. However, this made reading it a second time probably just as wonderful as the first.

It is an extremely easy read, which is just perfect for my brain that is exhausted from working the night shift. It is a feel-good book, and I truly hope that my daughter will soon choose to read it.

It's just a clean, simple, and happy read that leaves you with a great feeling. And sometimes, that's exactly what we need.

The "What's the Name of that Book" group on Goodreads was truly a blessing as it helped reunite me with this remarkable book. I vividly remember reading it when I was approximately 11 or 12 years old.

Now, as I peruse the reviews on GR, I am convinced that this book had a profound impact on shaping my perception of the kind of teenager and/or young woman I aspired to become. It seems that I was constantly striving to be cheerful, always eager to learn and be studious, enjoy the company of others and be gregarious, and yet maintain a free-spirited nature.

I am filled with anticipation as I can't wait to re-read this book and re-connect with that distant childhood. Back then, my future was a blank slate, not yet determined. The years that lay ahead had seemed like an incredibly exciting journey, brimming with mystery and filled with promise.

It's truly amazing how a single book can have such a lasting influence on our lives and memories. I look forward to reliving those precious moments through the pages of this book once again.

As an adult, I find myself with a new perspective when re-reading certain articles.

What might have seemed simple or unimportant in my younger days now holds more depth and significance.

I am able to analyze the text more critically, looking beyond the surface level and considering the underlying themes and messages.

Re-reading allows me to pick up on details that I may have missed before, and to gain a better understanding of the author's intentions.

It also gives me the opportunity to reflect on my own experiences and how they relate to the content of the article.

Overall, re-reading as an adult is a valuable exercise that enriches my understanding and appreciation of the written word.

This is such a remarkably surprising little book! It is rather like Rebecca herself - humorous, affectionate, and childlike, yet serious at its very core.

Nearly from the outset, it becomes evident that Kate Douglas Wiggin held a deep love and admiration for George Eliot. This was, in several distinct ways, inevitably touching to me. I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the first quotation from The Mill on the Floss. Wiggin compares the local schoolteacher's teaching approach with that of Tom Tulliver's tutor, who "set about it with that uniformity of method and independence of circumstances which distinguish the actions of animals understood to be under the immediate teaching of Nature". Wiggin further adds:

You remember the beaver which a naturalist tells us "busied himself as earnestly in constructing a dam in a room up three pair of stairs in London as if he had been laying his foundation in a lake in Upper Canada. It was his function to build, the absence of water or of possible progeny was an accident for which he was not accountable." In the same manner did Miss Dearborn lay what she fondly imagined to be foundations in the infant mind.

Later on, we observe Rebecca reading Romola and quoting The Mill on the Floss to her roommate. (I particularly cherished that detail, as this book was a gift from my former roommate, who has endured listening to me talk about The Mill on the Floss numerous times over the years.) However, George Eliot's influence can also be sensed in less straightforward ways. Her interest in fostering sympathy across differences, in the intellectual and spiritual yearnings of intelligent girls who are raised solely for the purposes of love and duty but who crave something more from the world, and in the significance of unexpected acts of kindness - all of these elements are present within Rebecca's story. And then there is Aunt Miranda, who would have made an exemplary Miss Dodson had she been born in rural England instead of rural Maine.

For me, the one source of unease regarding this book was Adam Ladd and his relationship with Rebecca, which never quite feels entirely appropriate. (Although, to his credit, it is clearly a matter of concern for him as well.) I was extremely glad about the manner in which Wiggin resolves it in the end, not binding Rebecca to anything that might restrict the scope of the world that lies ahead of her.

I absolutely adored this book. It was truly a sweet and beautiful piece of literature. It bore a remarkable resemblance to Anne of Green Gables. Rebecca was so very similar in her ways, with her whimsical nature and her love for discovering the special things no matter where she was.

I also loved the way the story unfolded, with her actually growing up along with it. She was such an interesting and detailed character. She felt deeply, learned a great deal, and charmed the lives of so many people throughout the story.

I really enjoyed this heartwarming story of this sweet girl growing up in the brick house. I will most likely read this book again myself one day and relish in its charm once more.

Narrator Review: For the most part, the narrators (and there were quite a few) were just okay. Most either failed to express the character properly or read without any enthusiasm or personality. Some had atrocious background noises. There were two with truly awful accents that were too thick and heavy, making those chapters a bit of a struggle for me to understand, which was a shame.

There were a few narrators who were really good. They were clear, had good enthusiasm for what they were reading, but unfortunately, they only read a chapter or two. Then there was the narrator Mary, I believe. She did the largest part of the story. She was clear in her reading, and you could tell that she loved the story. However, she did mispronounce words or trip over them every so often. But overall, she was better and probably should have just told the whole story herself.

It’s a very strange concept having the narrator change all the time. It really takes you out of your focus and makes it difficult to fully immerse yourself in the story world.

I know I've read this before, but this time (probably because I'm re-reading a bunch of Montgomery at the same time), I was truly struck by the remarkable similarities between Rebecca and Anne and Emily.

Wiggins, although more inclined towards religious and moralistic themes, still presents a heroine with a unique "spunky" charm. Just like Anne and Emily, Rebecca has a deep passion for places and nature. The way she describes the landscapes and her connection to them is very similar to how Montgomery's heroines experience the world around them.

Moreover, all three heroines share a determination to succeed at their set tasks. They are not easily deterred by obstacles or setbacks. Instead, they persevere with a fierce will, using their intelligence and creativity to overcome difficulties. This similarity in character traits makes for a fascinating comparison and shows the enduring appeal of these strong, independent female characters in literature.

Wonderful book! This is not just a simple statement but a profound evaluation of a particular literary work. When we say "wonderful book," it implies that the book has managed to captivate our hearts and minds, taking us on a journey filled with excitement, inspiration, and new discoveries.

A wonderful book has the power to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to unique characters, and make us experience a wide range of emotions. It can be a source of knowledge, wisdom, and entertainment all at once. Whether it's a thrilling adventure story, a thought-provoking novel, or a beautifully written piece of non-fiction, a wonderful book leaves a lasting impression on its readers.

It makes us eager to turn the pages, to find out what happens next, and to immerse ourselves fully in its pages. In short, a wonderful book is a treasure that we cherish and often recommend to others, sharing the joy and wonder that it has brought us.

This was a truly enjoyable book to peruse.

It had its fair share of sentimental moments that tugged at the heartstrings.

Rebecca will surely be etched in our memories as a character of the Pollyanna ilk.

She is more pragmatic compared to Anne of Green Gables, yet I can clearly discern that she had an impact on Anne's character development.

It was a great read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The story was filled with interesting plot twists and turns that held my attention firmly.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy to invest emotionally in their lives.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an entertaining and heartwarming read.

It's one of those books that you can pick up again and again and still find something new and wonderful in it.

Overall, it was a great addition to my bookshelf and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Nice wee book but it didn't touch me as much as Pollyanna.

This is a concise yet honest assessment of a particular book. The use of the term "wee" gives a sense of endearment or perhaps a hint of smallness in scale. It implies that the book had some qualities that were nice, but for some reason, it failed to have a profound impact on the reader in the same way that Pollyanna did.

Perhaps the story in this book didn't resonate with the reader on an emotional level. Maybe the characters weren't as well-developed or engaging as those in Pollyanna. It could also be that the themes explored in the book were not as relatable or thought-provoking.

However, it's important to note that everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to books. Just because this book didn't touch the reader as deeply as Pollyanna doesn't mean it's a bad book. It simply means that it didn't have the same effect on this particular individual.

There are countless books out there, each with its own unique charm and appeal. Maybe the reader will discover another book in the future that will touch them even more deeply than Pollyanna.

Rebecca is the second child among seven siblings, and it was her mother who sent her to be "educated" by her mother's sisters, Aunt Miranda and Aunt Jane. From the very beginning, these two aunts with opposite personalities raised Rebecca, who has a unique nature and is very different from most ordinary children.

Rebecca is extremely imaginative and creative in her thinking and is even very intelligent. However, she has a weakness in aspects related to memorization, such as history. Rebecca is also quick to help the Simpson twins whose family is very unfortunate and her father, by helping them sell soap. In fact, through this experience of helping to sell soap, Rebecca met Mr. Aladdin, that is, the wealthy Mr. Adam Ladd. And her friendship with Emma Jane is quite beautiful.

Unfortunately, the story of Rebecca, who was initially 8 years old, jumps to the ages of 15, 16, and 18. Her relationship with Aunt Miranda does not improve, but there is a surprise from Aunt Miranda when she is seriously ill.

For the size of a classic novel, I quite like the story of this book. I always like the type of children who are always creative and willing to work hard to realize their dreams. Rebecca is a very sensitive and adaptable type of child who can easily interact with everyone. Only Aunt Miranda's heart cannot be tamed (I think Miranda is of the ESTJ type). The explanation of their interaction is also insufficient for me to understand Miranda, except that Miranda and Jane are a pair of unmarried aunts and especially Miranda doesn't like young children and of course Miranda doesn't like Rebecca's late father. And it is quite surprising that she allows herself to raise Rebecca.

Unfortunately, the ending is still a bit melancholy in my opinion. Overall, 3.5 stars.

**Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm vs Anne of Green Gables**

  

   

      

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While reading "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm", I was surprised to discover its striking similarities to "Anne of Green Gables". However, it's important to note that Rebecca came first. In many aspects, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" can be considered the better book. It has a certain charm and depth that draws the reader in. The story of Rebecca's journey from her family's farm to her aunts' house in Riverboro is both heartwarming and engaging. On the other hand, Anne is less preachy, which may make her more relatable to some readers. This article delves into a detailed comparison of the two books, revealing the nuances and differences between American and Canadian culture.




"Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" opens with eleven-year-old Rebecca Rowena Randall's stagecoach ride. Her father has been dead for three years, and her mother can't handle the financial strain of raising seven children. Miranda and Jane Sawyer, her mother's spinster sisters, offer to take in the eldest, sensible girl. But instead, Mrs. Randall sends them Rebecca, a lively and spirited child. Rebecca, who has spent years caring for babies, suddenly finds her life turned upside down.




In "Anne of Green Gables", elderly Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, send for a boy from the orphanage to help on their farm. When Matthew goes to pick up the boy, he discovers they have been sent eleven-year-old Anne Shirley, a girl full of spirit and vivacity. Anne has also spent her childhood looking after babies in foster families.




The two girls share a similar appearance as they set off on their new adventures. Wiggin describes Rebecca's faded buff calico dress, small head with a thick braid of dark hair, and odd vizored cap. Her face is colorless and has sharp features. Montgomery's description of Anne is equally vivid. She wears a short, tight, and ugly yellowish gray dress, a faded brown sailor hat, and has two thick braids of red hair. Her face is small, white, and thin.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, 1917 film

Anne of Green Gables, book illustration

I really liked it. Reading about Rebecca's adventures and childhood was truly captivating.

*3.25*
Towards the end, however, it started to feel bittersweet. Especially with the longer time jumps and her growing up, it brought a sense of melancholy. I must admit that I preferred the first 50 - 70% of the book. The lighthearted simplicity of that part was just wonderful. It made me feel warm and happy.

*3.25*
If the book had continued in that same way, I would have given it a solid 4. But alas, it took a different turn.

*3.25*
I didn't like Adam Ladd though. His friendship and fascination with Rebecca sometimes unsettled me. He seemed a bit too intense and strange. On the other hand, Miss Maxwell was much better. She was kind and understanding. And the Cobbs were just the best! Hehe. They added a lot of charm and humor to the story.