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Pollyanna
Pollyanna knows the secret to finding a smile, even when really bad things happen. From the moment she arrives in Beldingsville, she shares her Glad Game with everyone around her. But the person who needs Pollyanna's help the most doesn't want it. Fiction.
210 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 18, 2010
Actually, at first I watched a movie with the same name on TV. The movie was so appealing to me that I’ve started to find more information about it. The first thing I discovered about it was that it is based on a book. As a result, I went to bookstores and then second-hand bookstores to find the book. However, I ended up finding nothing. At that time, my English wasn’t good enough to read the book in English. Nevertheless, I suppose, it was two years ago that I found the e-book on net and read it.
This book follows the story of an orphan girl, named Pollyanna, who is sent to live with her aunt after her father’s death. She steps into a house in where she is not welcomed. Her aunt seems to hate her and has a harsh behavior toward her. Pollyanna is not allowed to talk about her father in her aunt’s presence. However, nothing can put her in bad mood. She can always find something to be glad for. Although she is only eleven years old, she starts to change the view of all the people who live around toward life. Pollyanna is always glad, wants to make others glad, as well. She plays a game called Glad Game which soon becomes famous around the small town where she lives.
After reading this book, I adored it so much that wanted to read more books by its author. Miraculously, I found its sequel in a bookstore after just finishing the first book. Although, the sequel, Pollyanna Grows Up, was a good read, it didn’t live up to expectations. Now, I have the collection of all e-books by Eleanor H. Porter. However, Pollyanna stands out among them as one of best classic books for children. Whenever, I’m in a bad mood, I remind myself of Pollyanna, and try to play the Glad Game of hers which proved to be really helpful for me
This book follows the story of an orphan girl, named Pollyanna, who is sent to live with her aunt after her father’s death. She steps into a house in where she is not welcomed. Her aunt seems to hate her and has a harsh behavior toward her. Pollyanna is not allowed to talk about her father in her aunt’s presence. However, nothing can put her in bad mood. She can always find something to be glad for. Although she is only eleven years old, she starts to change the view of all the people who live around toward life. Pollyanna is always glad, wants to make others glad, as well. She plays a game called Glad Game which soon becomes famous around the small town where she lives.
After reading this book, I adored it so much that wanted to read more books by its author. Miraculously, I found its sequel in a bookstore after just finishing the first book. Although, the sequel, Pollyanna Grows Up, was a good read, it didn’t live up to expectations. Now, I have the collection of all e-books by Eleanor H. Porter. However, Pollyanna stands out among them as one of best classic books for children. Whenever, I’m in a bad mood, I remind myself of Pollyanna, and try to play the Glad Game of hers which proved to be really helpful for me
June 22, 2010
I REALLY enjoyed this book. As I read it, I kept thinking to myself, why has it taken me so long to read this book. I almost felt like I had neglected my own childhood by not having read it before. Pollyanna's infectious attitude of gladness was a joy to read, and I grew attached to the characters, so much so that I even found myself crying a few times near the end. I had never seen the movie before (or at least don't remember it), so it was all pretty much new to me, and I just loved it. Loved it! I recommend this novel to everyone. It is such a beautiful tale of striving to see the beauty in life and never letting circumstances dictate your attitude. Truly, everyone needs a dose of Pollyanna.
January 13, 2015
Although I appreciate positive thinking, this classic is way too sugary for my taste.
April 27, 2020
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to. I thought it would be trite, predictable and cheesy. Maybe it was, but it was charming enough to be a gem of a book anyway! And who of us doesn't need a reminder of all we have to be glad about?
June 13, 2014
I know that while the novel has actually done a reasonable job of standing the test of time and maintaining its popularity – many feel it is too sugary. I had not read it in my youth. I bought the audio book for C for Christmas last year and we’ve listened to it several times since then. For those who are interested, it is unabridged and is read by Rebecca Burns – I ordered it through Tantor Media.
After my first listen, I had a few ideas that subsequent listening solidified in my mind. I don’t know if Eleanor Porter intended my conclusions or not or if it really has a deeper subtext than I attribute to it or not but here is my thoughts.
When one considers the game and its roots in the difficulties of Pollyanna’s poverty and the loss of her mother. One has to realize that while Pollyanna comes off syrupy – she has many reasons to be bitter and not to be so positive that it becomes clear that the story isn’t about someone who just doesn’t understand the difficulties of this life. But what really makes me think there is more to the Glad Game concept is Pollyanna’s discussion with her aunt’s pastor regarding the ‘rejoicing texts.’ She points out that the Bible tells us over 800 times to ‘rejoice and be glad’ or variations on that theme which means it is important to God that we are grateful and glad for what we have. I think the idea ties in nicely with Job and Joseph...the idea that all things work to our good. If this is true and God tells us so often to be glad, we must have the ability through God’s grace to be content and even joyful during our difficulties.
As I was writing this, I googled Pollyanna and found this at Wikipedia “Through the success of the book, the term "pollyanna" entered the language to describe someone who is cheerfully optimistic. It then became by extension (and contrary to the spirit of the book) a somewhat derogatory term for a naïve person who always expects people to act decently, despite strong evidence to the contrary. The real theme of Pollyanna is that she kept the spirit of forgiveness towards all and could find gladness for whatever was given her.”
So, I don’t have an original thought in my head. Ah, well.
After my first listen, I had a few ideas that subsequent listening solidified in my mind. I don’t know if Eleanor Porter intended my conclusions or not or if it really has a deeper subtext than I attribute to it or not but here is my thoughts.
When one considers the game and its roots in the difficulties of Pollyanna’s poverty and the loss of her mother. One has to realize that while Pollyanna comes off syrupy – she has many reasons to be bitter and not to be so positive that it becomes clear that the story isn’t about someone who just doesn’t understand the difficulties of this life. But what really makes me think there is more to the Glad Game concept is Pollyanna’s discussion with her aunt’s pastor regarding the ‘rejoicing texts.’ She points out that the Bible tells us over 800 times to ‘rejoice and be glad’ or variations on that theme which means it is important to God that we are grateful and glad for what we have. I think the idea ties in nicely with Job and Joseph...the idea that all things work to our good. If this is true and God tells us so often to be glad, we must have the ability through God’s grace to be content and even joyful during our difficulties.
As I was writing this, I googled Pollyanna and found this at Wikipedia “Through the success of the book, the term "pollyanna" entered the language to describe someone who is cheerfully optimistic. It then became by extension (and contrary to the spirit of the book) a somewhat derogatory term for a naïve person who always expects people to act decently, despite strong evidence to the contrary. The real theme of Pollyanna is that she kept the spirit of forgiveness towards all and could find gladness for whatever was given her.”
So, I don’t have an original thought in my head. Ah, well.
September 29, 2010
I loved this book, and I was very surprised that I did! Pollyanna is so refreshing! Especially because we live in such a critical, negative world! It is a little juvenile, so that's why I didn't give it a "5" but I certainly recommend it - it's a great reminder that we really are so blessed, no matter what our circumstances. It's also a great reminder on the kind of influence one person can have. It's also a nice, quick read.
September 24, 2011
I'm not sure how it is possible that I had never read this book. It is beautiful. I love Pollyanna, and not just for her cheerfulness and good spirits, I love that she is also just a normal little girl. She sometimes says tactless things, and hurts people's feelings, but that just makes her feel more real.
February 9, 2016
This was such a cute and simple children's book. I think I will have my son read it sometime this year. I love the Glad Game. It really is a look for the silver lining attitude. I read this in about two hours total. So, it is a great quick read for a road trip or flight.
May 9, 2007
The pluckiest of the plucky heroines.
May 17, 2007
I actually liked this book. I don't remember the movie, if I even saw it, but I'm sure the book was better. Even though Jane Wyman is awesome because she reminds me of my oma.
August 17, 2009
Childhood obsession.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews