I probably first attempted to read this when I was around 7. I had the reading vocabulary but not the literary comprehension skills. Looking back, I now realize this is very common with kids on the autistic spectrum.
I believe I actually finished the book when I was around 10 or 11, and was disappointed that it was not exactly the same as the movie I saw on TV.

Probably one that I should have read when I was a child but never did. While the story was sweet I found it quite boring in spots. I pick up on little nuances when I read and one that drove me crazy in this book was the author’s repeated use of the word “latter”.

Very similar theme to The Secret Garden - fresh air & country kid causes incredible cure in rich invalid kid. The parenting is slightly better, but still quite distant. Overall, the story read more like an outline most of the time. The characters weren't very deep, although there was an air of mystery about several which attempted to make them more interesting. Worked a bit for some. Most were just caricatures, though. The ending was predictable.

The main character was a cheerful chatterbox that certainly would have been annoying if anything else of interest was going on. Still, she was fun in context.

About halfway through, Spyri got more & more into a religious moral message that was as heavy-handed as it was ridiculous. It was obviously what she wrote the book for & yet it felt tacked on (hammered) in places.

I can see where this would make a good movie & vaguely recall watching it (parts) years ago. I've heard many say they liked it. That makes sense since the story could easily be updated & filled out for a movie. I'd suggest watching that rather than reading this.

Todos conocemos la historia de Heidi, la niña que vivía en los Alpes Suizos con su gruñón abuelo...

Pero leer el libro fue una experiencia muy tierna. Heidi es bastante inteligente para su corta edad, su capacidad de razonamiento y hasta las cosas que piensa, por lo que pienso que la autora le ha dado un aire un poco mayor para uña niña de solo cinco años.

Creí que me encontraría con un abuelo poco atento al principio de la novela, pero sin embargo me sorprendí cuando descubrí que era todo lo contrario, era amoroso, tierno y siempre hacía lo que creía que sería mejor para su nieta, le dejaba que se sintiera cómoda y expresarse cómo quisiera, siendo al revés de lo que su tía Dete habría hecho.

Pedro es el pastorcito del pueblito, se hace amigo de Heidi de inmediato y su amistad es muy tierna, aunque algunas veces tenía unos comportamientos un poco... extraños. Sus actitudes más de una vez me parecían algo para tener en cuenta, pero que sin embargo en la novela todo seguía de lo más normal.

Durante su estancia en Francfort, Heidi se hace amiga de Clara, una niña de doce años que está en silla de ruedas, por lo que la llegada de la niña del campo le produce felicidad al conocer a alguien nuevo y salir de su rutina.

Todos los personajes son lindos y ayudan a la trama, aunque realmente no es haya una en sí. Simplemente leemos el pasar del tiempo, los progresos y logros de Heidi, cómo siempre es tan inocente y pura y quiere ver bien a los demás sin importar qué.
El libro nos regala valores muy bonitos, nos enseña cómo la gente puede estar pasando por un mal momento y los demás simplemente dejarlo de lado por pensar que es alguien huraño, cuando en realidad está sumida en la tristeza y cómo lo más pequeño también puede ayudar a una persona a seguir adelante.

Siendo un clásico infantil, deja ver muy bien lo que quiera transmitir.

I reread this story frequently as a girl. One of the most evocative and effectively descriptive books I’ve ever read. A wonderful story about a young girl who goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Loved the side story that takes place in town away from her grandfather as well. I always craved cheese and bread as I read the story, and there was nothing more satisfying than curling up with Heidi and some cheese & bread. When young, I didn’t understand that the goat cheese described in the book was different from the cow’s milk cheese I ate. (Now that I’m a long term vegan, I would no longer crave any animal procured cheese, but I think I’d still enjoy the story.) A worthy children’s classic.

The sequels: Heidi Grows Up and Heidi’s Children were written by a different author – the original author’s translator. I enjoyed them, but they were not as pleasurable to read as Heidi.

Johanna Spyri's Heidi is a novel that is not only an enduring classic (first published in 1881, still going strong, a perennial favourite, and still remarkably enjoyable), but it is also one of those books that can be read and perhaps even should be read on a multitude of different and equally rewarding levels. And like with many children's classics I consider personal favourites, my review will consist of primarily musings and detailed analyses of certain parts and aspects of the narrative. I will also provide information on English language translations of Heidi and possible considerations for choosing certain editions over others. Now this here particular edition of Heidi is a German language Kindle version I recently downloaded on my iPad (both parts, complete, unabridged, and written in the new orthography, the "neue Rechtschreibung"). And indeed with Heidi in particular, one really does have to be careful avoiding abridged printings, unless one is actually desiring a shortened offering (for both in German and in English, and likely with many other languages as well, abridgements seem to exist en masse and sometimes, it is not even made clear that a particular edition has been significantly shortened, so potential readers beware, is my suggestion). Case in point, TWO of my hardback copies of Heidi (German language), which I thought were unabridged when I purchased them, turned out to have significant parts of entire chapters removed (something that definitely was NOT mentioned on the book cover).

HOW TO READ HEIDI

Now Heidi can of course be read simply and enjoyably as a sweet tale of an adorable and personable young orphan whose soul and inner beauty shine, and who with her personality, with her love, her sweetness and tenderheartedness, and aided by many of her friends/family, especially her grandfather once he himself has been won over, brings not only joy but also health and wisdom to those around her (except of course her aunt Dete and perhaps the Frankfurt governess, who are just plain stubborn and never affected in a positive way by Heidi's charms and mannerisms). And well, these above-mentioned words are a very basic and for me as an older adult (and generally rather academic) reader, in no way sufficient analysis of Heidi's life and struggles, but it is a good place to start, and yes a decent way to whet a potential reader's appetite (especially a first time reader). However, reading Heidi on purely a basic level, while more than appropriate and adequate for children and casual readers, really (in my opinion) only scratches the proverbial surface so to speak, and in a very much superficial manner at that. For Heidi is deceptively simple, and underneath the descriptive joys of Swiss alpine glory and beauty, of what one can call a wholesome childhood, much darker and problematic material is indeed often hiding (and no pun is intended here). And yes, even the original German titles of the two parts parts of Heidi, Heidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre and Heidi kann brauchen, was es gelernt hat allude to the fact that Johanna Spyri is actually also harkening back to two of the most famous "Bildungsromane" (novels of development) in the German language, namely Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Wilhelm Meister novels (the first volume being being titled Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre and the sequel Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre).

However, while in most traditional novels of development, it is generally the main protagonist who develops, who changes, who matures, Heidi herself really never all that much changes, never really develops and certainly never matures all that much. Her sojourn to Frankfurt, while it might have had the positive result of her learning to read (which she then later uses to bring joy to the grandmother and reading as a skill to the stubbornly illiterate Peter) and giving her more of an understanding of religion and patience, also proves once once for all that Heidi is for all intents and purposes not resilient, is not mentally and psychologically robust (that she will thrive only in a very limited and limiting environment, in the Alps, the Swiss mountains, and not just anywhere in Switzerland either, but specifically only on her grandfather's alpine meadows).

And yes, many have both noticed and stated that Heidi's friend Clara is seemingly miraculously healed while on her alpine visit to Heidi (whether by God or due to the robust natural environment of the Alps is of course quite another question). But if one actually takes the time to consider a detailed characterisation of Clara, she is in fact and indeed (and right from the beginning of Heidi at that) considerably more psychologically robust and resilient and thus also much more "healthy" than Heidi (at least on a spiritual and emotional level). Now when Clara is able to actually stand and walk, she is of course totally delighted that her physical strength has been restored (as are her father and grandmother), but in my opinion, Clara has truly always been considerably stronger than Heidi spiritually and psychically (and Clara is thus able to leave the Alps after her visit, after her "cure" but Heidi must forever remain in this specific place, as any other place will elicit not only homesickness, but the kind of homesickness that eats the soul, and will ultimately destroy the sufferer).

Furthermore, while Heidi as a novel does (as mentioned above) allude to Goethe's Wilhelm Meister novels, the main character (Heidi) is actually more based on, more similar to the character of Mignon than Wilhelm Meister himself (except that unlike the doomed Mignon, Heidi is granted release and reprieve in so far that she is allowed to remain in and on the Alps, the one place that is suitable for and to her, unmoving, unchanging, but alive and to a point thriving, while Mignon is ultimately destroyed by her homesickness, by her yearning for Italy). And thus, from a purely developmental point of view and philosophy, Johanna Spyri's Heidi as a character is thus really and truly much less nuanced, much less rounded and much more unyielding and stagnant than her grandfather, than Clara (and yes, even than the stubborn and often annoyingly obstinate Peter).

For yes, throughout the course of Heidi, many of the encountered characters do seem to mature, to become healthier and heartier, increasingly educated and aware, but with Heidi, this really only occurs on a very sporadic and partial, superficial level at best (and mostly with regard to her ability to read, her trust in God and that she now sees and realises which household tasks require doing). Her mental and emotional stagnation, her lack of psychological fortitude (which she likely has inherited from her deceased mother), her inability to endure change of any kind and a variety of circumstances never really do all that much fluctuate (and with this in mind, Heidi is actually to be considered as being very much like those same alpine flowers encountered at the beginning of the novel, wildflowers that while bright, glowing and healthy while rooted in the alpine ground, very quickly lose their bloom, very quickly wilt and droop as soon as they are picked and transported away from the meadows they call home).

HEIDI ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRANSLATIONS

For those reading Heidi in English or more to the point, desiring to read this book in English, there are indeed many, many different and vastly variable translations available (from 1882-1959 alone, something like fifteen different English language translations of Heidi were published). Now I have not read all of these, but I have read at least three separate English language editions, and each offers unique reading experiences. With regard to readability, flow, and if one is primarily reading for simple enjoyment (or to and with children), the 1956 translation by Eileen Hall is excellent and highly recommended (although many of the character names have been anglicised, and even some of the specific geographic references omitted). Earlier translations by Louise Brooks and Helen B. Dole, while they do retain a more slavish adherence to the original German text, are also translated in a much more literal manner and thus readability and narrative flow at times do rather suffer, feeling awkward and halting (in other words, one is often painfully aware of the fact that these are, in fact, translations). It is a matter of personal choice, but for me, for academic comparisons, I would tend to recommend the older translations of Heidi, while for pleasure reading, Eileen Hall's translation is truly superb.

I loved this book!! Very inspirational. Heidi is such a pure soul. It shows you don't need much to be happy!! Take notice of all the little things.

Oh, reading this one made me long to sit atop a wildflower-carpeted mountain meadow, pet goats, and eat milk and cheese.

I can't believe I've only just read this! This is such a charming children's book with utterly beautiful descriptions of the mountains which fill you with gratitude and wonder and wish you were in the countryside.

Heidi is an interesting one - of course I read it when I was a kid, but I had not come back to it since. It is definitely a 'classic' kids book and though it does not seem to have the popularity it used to, it is still really well known. Wiki lists it as; "... one of the best-selling books ever written and is among the best-known works of Swiss literature."

Heidi, originally written in German (I think) was published in 1881 by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, who intended it for 'children and those who love children' a phrase that might not make it through the publishers these days.

It is the story of how a little girl, six years old and orphaned, gets unceremoniously dumped on her terrifying grandfather who lives as a semi-hermit on the 'Arm' of a/the Swiss mountain. The child feels no fear of him though and completely falls in love with the mountain and the life. Latter, she is forced to live for a while with a wealthy family in Frankfurt to be a companion to the invalid child of the house. In the city she pines, until finally allowed to return to her beloved Grandfather and even more beloved mountains.

The story is most certainly designed for a young child of a far more insular age than ours. Heidi would not make a good Disney princess, she is too earthy, too earnest and a strong mix of naivety, suggestibility and contentment (later supplemented by christian faith). This idolised innocence dates the book significantly, and yet the story and Heidi both manage to escape the saccharin childishness that makes so many Edwardian and Victorian books for children hard for me to digest.

Heidi is an appealing character and the descriptions of life on the mountain and the rapt descriptions of the mountain itself are excellent and stand the test of time. In this day and age though I suspect this book may be perhaps be more suited to modern adults than modern children, who are inclined to be worldly and may not be as tolerant of Heidi as an adult reader would be. The audiobook I listened to (Blackstone) was definitely aimed at kids, though well enough read.

Johanna Louise Spyri, 1827 – 1901, was an author born near Zurich, Switzerland, she spent several summers at mountainous locations that I can neither spell nor pronounce and she used those locations in her novels. While Heidi is her best known novel outside Switzerland, and she is mostly known for children's books, she wrote many more and her first one actually dealt with domestic violence. She is well known and regarded in Switzerland, if less well known here and her style of writing, as it comes through the translation at least, seems very nice indeed.I would like to read more of her work.

Heidi is certainly an internationally influential work, it has been translated into many languages, has been filmed often, with Shirley Temple in the 30's being only the fist I know of, and since then any number of other adaptations and translations around the world. In 2017 and Argentinian tv version was apparently made and it is surprisingly very popular in Japan and Korea (no, wait, anime's obsession with little girls... of course not that surprising...) which also draws a lot of tourism to Switzerland.

Very glad to have re-read/ listened to it as an adult.

Heidi is a young orphan. The book starts when she's just 5 years old and her primary caregiver changes from the older sister to the grandfather.

Heidi is a good girl. She's vivacious, kind, selfless, generous, and everyone she meets instantly likes her. She lights up the life of the people around her. So she goes around doing good deeds, learns about Christianity, and starts praying. That's pretty much the whole book for you. It was ok, but I didn't particularly care.

One thing that got on my nerves was how Heidi's friend - a girl in a wheelchair - starts walking just because Heidi asks her to stand up and try. So she does - and it works. The girl no longer needs a wheelchair. I mean... wow. Has no one tried that before? WTH?

Overall meh.

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