Heidi (Annotated): Original unabridged 1919 version with original illustrations

by Johanna Spyri, Elisabeth P. Stork (translator), Maria Louise Kirk (illustrator)

254 pages, Paperback

Published June 12, 2024

About the author

Johanna Spyri was a Swiss author of children's stories, best known for Heidi. Born Johanna Louise Heusser in the rural area of Hirzel, Switzerland, as a child she spent several summers in the area around Chur in Graubünden, the setting she later would use in her novels.

Reviews

[Santana Calo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't as wholesome and heartwarming as I was expecting. It was clearly written in a different time, and the writing itself felt a bit stilted. I couldn't help but think of all the hardship Heidi went through and how awfully she was treated by several of the characters. The story also seemed to take an abrupt turn into religion. If you're religious, you'll probably enjoy it. If not, then you'll likely get bored with the repetition. The grandmother got on my nerves with her constant whining over Heidi's absence as well. However, I found Heidi to be a bright little light in the book, and her relationship with her grandfather was lovely.

[Tyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

re-read / skim

thankful for the conversation encouraging reconciliation with God and neighbor; also encourage prayer

does seem a dark story for children if realized that a child lives in so much danger without parents, yet God providing friendship and care and using Heidi to love others