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Just David [with Biographical Introduction]
Just David [with Biographical Introduction]
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1916
146 people are currently reading
1699 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor H. Porter
290 books373 followersEleanor Emily Hodgman Porter (December 19, 1868 – May 21, 1920) was an American novelist. She was born as Eleanor Emily Hodgman in Littleton, New Hampshire on December 19, 1868, the daughter of Llewella French (née Woolson) and Francis Fletcher Hodgman. She was trained as a singer, attending New England Conservatory for several years. In 1892, she married John Lyman Porter and relocated to Massachusetts, after which she began writing and publishing her short stories and later novels. She died in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 21, 1920 and was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
August 26, 2021
First published in 1916, “Just David” is a heartwarming and uplifting story with some beautiful quotes.
David is a good natured, if somewhat naive boy, who expresses the wonders of nature and the world around him, through his violin. His talent for the violin is exceptional. He lives high up on a mountain top with his father, but sadly his father is dying, and he tries to explain to David what will happen when he leaves this mortal coil.
"I shall not return, but some day you will come to me, your violin at your chin, and the bow drawn across the strings to greet me. See that it tells me of the beautiful world you have left-for it is a beautiful world, David; never forget that. And if sometime you are tempted to think it is not a beautiful world, just remember that you yourself can make it beautiful if you will.
A real children’s classic, written by the author of Pollyanna, which though somewhat idealistic, still has relevance today.
David is a good natured, if somewhat naive boy, who expresses the wonders of nature and the world around him, through his violin. His talent for the violin is exceptional. He lives high up on a mountain top with his father, but sadly his father is dying, and he tries to explain to David what will happen when he leaves this mortal coil.
"I shall not return, but some day you will come to me, your violin at your chin, and the bow drawn across the strings to greet me. See that it tells me of the beautiful world you have left-for it is a beautiful world, David; never forget that. And if sometime you are tempted to think it is not a beautiful world, just remember that you yourself can make it beautiful if you will.
A real children’s classic, written by the author of Pollyanna, which though somewhat idealistic, still has relevance today.
August 30, 2021
"I count no hours but unclouded ones."
Just David is a quaint, uplifting children’s story first published in 1916. I’m a fan of Pollyanna, have fond memories of reading it to my children, so couldn’t pass up reading this one.
A young boy, David, lived in the mountains with his father for six years immersed in only goodness and light, playing his violin, and learning lessons far beyond his age. When suddenly his father succumbs to an illness, he must learn to adapt in a world outside his idyllic bubble.
It is in a close village, living with farmer and his wife, that David not only learns of the world but makes the world a better place for all those whom he meets.
I spent a lovely six hours listening to this book while busy with errands/chores. This sweet story was so destressing! The audio, while read with a soothing and lovely tone, was, unfortunately, amateurish. It wasn’t off-putting enough for me to abandon it, however, the reader would occasionally stumble over words and faint background noise could be heard.
More than a hundred years after its first publication, this sentimental book evokes a sense of harmony in the reader.
Just David is available on Hoopla , for free on Project Gutenberg , and Amazon.
Just David is a quaint, uplifting children’s story first published in 1916. I’m a fan of Pollyanna, have fond memories of reading it to my children, so couldn’t pass up reading this one.
A young boy, David, lived in the mountains with his father for six years immersed in only goodness and light, playing his violin, and learning lessons far beyond his age. When suddenly his father succumbs to an illness, he must learn to adapt in a world outside his idyllic bubble.
It is in a close village, living with farmer and his wife, that David not only learns of the world but makes the world a better place for all those whom he meets.
I spent a lovely six hours listening to this book while busy with errands/chores. This sweet story was so destressing! The audio, while read with a soothing and lovely tone, was, unfortunately, amateurish. It wasn’t off-putting enough for me to abandon it, however, the reader would occasionally stumble over words and faint background noise could be heard.
More than a hundred years after its first publication, this sentimental book evokes a sense of harmony in the reader.
Just David is available on Hoopla , for free on Project Gutenberg , and Amazon.
August 19, 2021
Even though the writing style was very Victorian (it was first published in 1916), it was a very sweet story. I agree with other reviewers that no child is that perfect, but hey, sometimes we need to suspend disbelief and soak in the happiness. 3.8
January 9, 2019
Simple yet beautiful. <3
February 5, 2017
This book is so sweet and such a beautiful tale. One of our family classics.
October 9, 2025
David lives in isolation with his father on a mountain, surrounded by nature and the music of their violins. But when his father becomes ill, they are forced from their idyllic retreat to the world of society. Upon his father's death, David goes to live with Mr. and Mrs. Holly, a gruff farmer and his wife. Because of his isolated upbringing, David is different. The trees and animals and flowers and the beautiful sky are what are important to David as he describes them in a curiously poetic enthusiastic manner that is completely foreign to most of the village inhabitants. But David's innocence and willingness to sacrifice soon wins the hearts of even the hardest man. And so, as David mends relationships and brings people together, he also finds his own place in this new, unfamiliar yet beautiful world.
November 26, 2019
David comprende a malapena la morte e non sa dove risiede il male o il peccato. Un ottimismo generale che il padre gli ha insegnato a coltivare, crescendolo felice lontano da tutti, in luoghi in cui i pini parlano ed i ruscelli cantano. Un mondo felice ma anche colto, pieno di libri, giacché nonostante quel che si possa pensare, David legge spartiti, parla altre lingue, vantando cultura più ampia della media.
Il tema dell'orfano è diffuso nella letteratura americana e indubbiamente contribuisce ad alimentare l'affetto che il lettore sognatore si trova a provare per il protagonista.
Non è un romanzo dai massimi livelli, ma l'ho sentito mio: da mamma di due maschietti mi sono sentita molto partecipe della vicenda di David. Il luccichio e il disincanto di David, l'immaginazione e il coraggio, dovrebbero essere ciò che accompagna ogni bambino durante la prima infanzia.
Il tema dell'orfano è diffuso nella letteratura americana e indubbiamente contribuisce ad alimentare l'affetto che il lettore sognatore si trova a provare per il protagonista.
Non è un romanzo dai massimi livelli, ma l'ho sentito mio: da mamma di due maschietti mi sono sentita molto partecipe della vicenda di David. Il luccichio e il disincanto di David, l'immaginazione e il coraggio, dovrebbero essere ciò che accompagna ogni bambino durante la prima infanzia.
November 29, 2023
read for school
March 26, 2008
Perhaps idealistic, but very sweet and unjaded. Can life really be like that--why not!?! It was a book group read and I really enjoyed the sweet character of David and his unselfishness. The Author is also the author of Pollyanna.
August 14, 2013
Wow! This is truly a beautiful story...one of those that I will return to again and again. Well written. Beautifully poetic, metaphorical and inspiring. A true classic. Sad that it was ever forgotten and out of print. Move this to the top of your to-read list.
When David was four, his father took him to live in the mountains where he taught David of the beautiful things in life. They learned from nature and from books and from music. It was an exceptional education. When David was ten, his father knew he was dying and took David down the mountain but died before he could find a caretaker for David. David was left with only his own violin, his fathers violin, some gold pieces and two notes his father wrote on the side of the road as he was dying. One note was for David and one for whoever would be his caretaker. Encouraged by his father's words in his note and his upbringing, David goes forth to find his work in the world where he encounters real cynicism, evil and disappointment for the first time in his life. He is a puzzle for others to understand including his identity, for he only knows himself as David, just David.
This was recommended to me by my sister, a rare treat which spoke volumes to me if she was going to go out of her way to recommend it to me twice. It was a favorite of her father-in-law who would read it with tears in his eyes. After he died last year, she read it for the first time and at once knew why he loved it so much. She is anxious to return to it again.
Some of my favorite parts:
"We must go away. Out in the great world there are men and women and children waiting for you. You've a beautiful work to do; and one can't do one's work on a mountain-top."
"I shall not return, but some day you will come to me, your violin at your chin, and the bow drawn across the strings to greet me. See that it tells me of the beautiful world you have left-for it is a beautiful world, David; never forget that. And if sometime you are tempted to think it is not a beautiful world, just remember that you yourself can make it beautiful if you will."
"Father says that I'm one little instrument in the great Orchestra of Life, and that I must see to it that I'm always in tune, and don't drag or hit false notes."
"Oh, I wasn't idle, sir. Father said I must never be that. He said every instrument was needed in the great Orchestra of Life; and that I was one, you know, even if I was only a little boy. And he said if I kept still and didn't do my part, the harmony wouldn't be complete."
"Why I learned it...Same as I learned German and other things with father, out of books, you know. Didn't you learn French when you were a little boy?"
"Oh, it wouldn't be a useless walk, sir. Father said nothing was useless that helped to keep us in tune, you know."
"A sundial counts its hours by the shadow the sun throws, and when there is no sun there is no shadow; hence it's only the sunny hours that are counted by the dial."
"You see, I did think, once, that because you had all these beautiful things around you, the hours ought to be sunny ones. But now I know it isn't what's around you; it's what is IN you!"
When David was four, his father took him to live in the mountains where he taught David of the beautiful things in life. They learned from nature and from books and from music. It was an exceptional education. When David was ten, his father knew he was dying and took David down the mountain but died before he could find a caretaker for David. David was left with only his own violin, his fathers violin, some gold pieces and two notes his father wrote on the side of the road as he was dying. One note was for David and one for whoever would be his caretaker. Encouraged by his father's words in his note and his upbringing, David goes forth to find his work in the world where he encounters real cynicism, evil and disappointment for the first time in his life. He is a puzzle for others to understand including his identity, for he only knows himself as David, just David.
This was recommended to me by my sister, a rare treat which spoke volumes to me if she was going to go out of her way to recommend it to me twice. It was a favorite of her father-in-law who would read it with tears in his eyes. After he died last year, she read it for the first time and at once knew why he loved it so much. She is anxious to return to it again.
Some of my favorite parts:
"We must go away. Out in the great world there are men and women and children waiting for you. You've a beautiful work to do; and one can't do one's work on a mountain-top."
"I shall not return, but some day you will come to me, your violin at your chin, and the bow drawn across the strings to greet me. See that it tells me of the beautiful world you have left-for it is a beautiful world, David; never forget that. And if sometime you are tempted to think it is not a beautiful world, just remember that you yourself can make it beautiful if you will."
"Father says that I'm one little instrument in the great Orchestra of Life, and that I must see to it that I'm always in tune, and don't drag or hit false notes."
"Oh, I wasn't idle, sir. Father said I must never be that. He said every instrument was needed in the great Orchestra of Life; and that I was one, you know, even if I was only a little boy. And he said if I kept still and didn't do my part, the harmony wouldn't be complete."
"Why I learned it...Same as I learned German and other things with father, out of books, you know. Didn't you learn French when you were a little boy?"
"Oh, it wouldn't be a useless walk, sir. Father said nothing was useless that helped to keep us in tune, you know."
"A sundial counts its hours by the shadow the sun throws, and when there is no sun there is no shadow; hence it's only the sunny hours that are counted by the dial."
"You see, I did think, once, that because you had all these beautiful things around you, the hours ought to be sunny ones. But now I know it isn't what's around you; it's what is IN you!"
April 6, 2025
This book was very cute and sweet and I'm so happy I found it<3
#reread:5+✨🧸
#reread:5+✨🧸
July 13, 2022
Một câu chuyện thuần khiết và dễ thương về tình cảm gia đình, sự cảm hoá bằng tính ngây thơ trong sáng, thu hút bằng văn phong đẹp đẽ và dịu dàng dù không hề có cảnh gây cấn nào.
David sống cùng cha trên một đỉnh núi, cậu bé 10 tuổi yêu thiên nhiên tha thiết và chơi đàn violon thành thục và tình cảm. Một ngày no, cha đưa cậu bé xuống núi và chết trong một chuồng gia súc trú tạm ở 1 ngôi làng nhỏ dưới núi, trút hơi thở trong tiếng nhạc của cậu.
Tâm hồn của David được nuôi dưỡng bằng những điều tốt đẹp nhất nên cậu chỉ biết thiên nhiên và âm nhạc, có thể sáng tác và say sưa chơi đàn bất kỳ lúc nào. Nhưng trở thành trẻ mồ côi, cậu phải đối diện với những vấn đề thực tế và dễ gây tổn thương: như không ai muốn nhận nuôi cậu, không ai hiểu những lời đẹp đẽ và âm nhạc kể chuyện của cậu,… và để được ở lại trang trại thì cậu bé phải làm việc. Không ai, kể cả David, biết xuất thân của người cha và gia đình cậu bé.
Sự ngây thơ, tài năng âm nhạc của David đã dần cảm hoá được người dân trong làng. Cậu bé cũng đi qua nhiều biến cố để tìm lại được thân thế thật sự của mình.
Truyện rất dễ thương và đẹp đẽ, đem lại âm nhạc trong những miêu tả, và đưa cho độc giả không gian thuần khiết của tâm hồn nghệ sĩ. Nên đọc những quyển như thế này để detox cho cảm nhận và trải nghiệm đọc.
David sống cùng cha trên một đỉnh núi, cậu bé 10 tuổi yêu thiên nhiên tha thiết và chơi đàn violon thành thục và tình cảm. Một ngày no, cha đưa cậu bé xuống núi và chết trong một chuồng gia súc trú tạm ở 1 ngôi làng nhỏ dưới núi, trút hơi thở trong tiếng nhạc của cậu.
Tâm hồn của David được nuôi dưỡng bằng những điều tốt đẹp nhất nên cậu chỉ biết thiên nhiên và âm nhạc, có thể sáng tác và say sưa chơi đàn bất kỳ lúc nào. Nhưng trở thành trẻ mồ côi, cậu phải đối diện với những vấn đề thực tế và dễ gây tổn thương: như không ai muốn nhận nuôi cậu, không ai hiểu những lời đẹp đẽ và âm nhạc kể chuyện của cậu,… và để được ở lại trang trại thì cậu bé phải làm việc. Không ai, kể cả David, biết xuất thân của người cha và gia đình cậu bé.
Sự ngây thơ, tài năng âm nhạc của David đã dần cảm hoá được người dân trong làng. Cậu bé cũng đi qua nhiều biến cố để tìm lại được thân thế thật sự của mình.
Truyện rất dễ thương và đẹp đẽ, đem lại âm nhạc trong những miêu tả, và đưa cho độc giả không gian thuần khiết của tâm hồn nghệ sĩ. Nên đọc những quyển như thế này để detox cho cảm nhận và trải nghiệm đọc.
June 28, 2024
Cam de 4,5 stelute, prima parte m-a cam plictisit ici colo, dar a doua parte m-a făcut sa nu las cartea din mana ❤️
March 18, 2011
This is an old, old favorite. It was a favorite of my grandmother's, and my father's, and it became a favorite of mine...three generations! My mother read aloud to us from her old and very battered copy when I was young, and I managed many years ago to obtain a old and battered copy of my own to read aloud to my children. Now it appears that it is back in print!
Just David is a heartwarming tale of a boy - David - the son of a famous musician, whose father takes him at a young age to live on a mountain. The father's goal is to be able to teach his young son without the influence of wealth and fame to spoil the boy. However, the father becomes very ill, and as he begins the journey to take his son back to civilization, he dies; and the boy is left in a small village where no one recognizes the name of his famous father. He is taken in by a gruff farmer and his wife; and both David and the farmer are changed by their association with one another; as is everyone who crosses David's path. Eventually the truth of the boy's heritage is discovered, and he is returned to the fame and wealth that are rightfully his. But he returns every year to the small farming village to "play" for the old farmer and his wife. And as I write this, I have to choke back tears, because this one is a tear-jerker!
Just David is a heartwarming tale of a boy - David - the son of a famous musician, whose father takes him at a young age to live on a mountain. The father's goal is to be able to teach his young son without the influence of wealth and fame to spoil the boy. However, the father becomes very ill, and as he begins the journey to take his son back to civilization, he dies; and the boy is left in a small village where no one recognizes the name of his famous father. He is taken in by a gruff farmer and his wife; and both David and the farmer are changed by their association with one another; as is everyone who crosses David's path. Eventually the truth of the boy's heritage is discovered, and he is returned to the fame and wealth that are rightfully his. But he returns every year to the small farming village to "play" for the old farmer and his wife. And as I write this, I have to choke back tears, because this one is a tear-jerker!
July 10, 2025
October 2023:
I read this out loud at my school. Not my pick.
See the thing about children’s literature is that what kids like is different from what adults like. If you’re a good author, you’ll be able to write something fitting for both. If you lean too far one way you’ll get Captain Underpants. If you go too far the other way, not thinking about real children and just wishing they were a certain way, writing to make children behave and act like little adults… you get something weird like this.
I read this out loud at my school. Not my pick.
See the thing about children’s literature is that what kids like is different from what adults like. If you’re a good author, you’ll be able to write something fitting for both. If you lean too far one way you’ll get Captain Underpants. If you go too far the other way, not thinking about real children and just wishing they were a certain way, writing to make children behave and act like little adults… you get something weird like this.
August 9, 2016
There is nothing that aggravates me more than a perfect character.
February 22, 2020
Old-fashioned, heart-warming, simply lovely!
October 19, 2021
i was good, but slow. i got bored reading it.
August 27, 2025
Rereading Just David really brought out the similarities between it and Pollyanna (written by the same author)...a strange, very happy child comes to a village, brightens the lives of all the grumpy villagers, gets sick, nearly dies, and reunites two lovers in a classic "happily-ever-after" ending. Both stories even have the main character's name in the title. :) Somewhat predictable, but a very sweet story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2019
This is a lovely story and full of great vocabulary. It keeps an element of mystery throughout and weaves in a love for nature and even a bit of romance too. My kids deducted a star because at times, especially the first part of the book, David gets on your nerves. He’s just too “good” to be real. It wasn’t until he punched some other kids defending a tortured animal that he earned some respect from my boys who decided he wasn’t a total wimp after all 😃. This is my second time to read this one and it will stay on my favorites rotation.
December 27, 2019
Forse non sarà un libro indimenticabile ma sicuramente è una di quelle storie che ti riconciliano col mondo e il suo protagonista un ragazzino incantevole...
March 31, 2024
Loved this sweet story with the beautiful message to love and appreciate all our blessings in this beautiful world.
Read
August 3, 2025Oh my. another book that I just could not possibly assign stars to.
This book happens to be a favor of my daughter, Vivian, my sweet little firecracker who has been my greatest blessing and greatest trial of parenting. I recently scolded her for not being able to read a book I lent to her, and her reply was to give me this book instead. She said it really hurt her feelings that she was struggling through my material, and told me that I should read this instead so that we could talk about it.
It made me realize that my children do not always meet me where I am, and that I need to meet them somewhere else. And isn’t it fortunate that the book she gives me is about that topic?
David is a very sweet, naïve boy as to the ways of the world. His journey is really touching. The story becomes a commentary on what dreams for the future feel like and how it feels to have those dreams removed. It teaches the dual emotions that come when huge sacrifices are made for people that you love. It teaches the true lesson that sacrifice is exactly that — giving up something that is dear to you — and that act is painful at times. And that is OK. And realizing that something has caused you pain doesn’t mean you regret doing it or have made the wrong choice.
The way that this concept is presented as simple. It is written for children. I think that that would tempt some people to disregard it, but what could be more beautiful than an author who has taken the time to explain the joys and pains of sacrifice so simply? What child wouldn’t benefit from such a lesson? i’m not sure I could imagine a more worthwhile pursuit. My own daughter walks away from this book understanding that her desires are certainly not the most important desires in a given situation, which, ironically, is a lesson that I hoped to instill in her. Whether I have succeeded or not is irrelevant, because she found the answer herself in literature.
What a beautiful experience. The book itself is a bit of a mix between Anne of Green Gables and Amelia Bedelia, this poor boy constantly misunderstanding simple things, but overall so full of joy and light that he can’t help but affect others lives as well. It is simple. It is beautiful. It is definitely worth a read.
This is the author of Pollyanna, by the way, a story I love dearly.
If you do read it, try to picture my little chubby cheek, redheaded, young daughter, reading it on her own at a young age. Picture her heart being moved enough that she remembered it years later to recommend it to her tired, jaded ole dad. Picture it sweetening their relationship, and narrowing the chasm between angst teenage daughters and their concerned fathers, easing the pain of the natural distance that grows between a dad and his babies, and smoothing the edges of the sacrifices involved in family life. Here in the novel, David is learning these lessons. I’m happy to offer my gratitude to the author for this beautiful story, and for the bonding it led to with my daughter.
This book happens to be a favor of my daughter, Vivian, my sweet little firecracker who has been my greatest blessing and greatest trial of parenting. I recently scolded her for not being able to read a book I lent to her, and her reply was to give me this book instead. She said it really hurt her feelings that she was struggling through my material, and told me that I should read this instead so that we could talk about it.
It made me realize that my children do not always meet me where I am, and that I need to meet them somewhere else. And isn’t it fortunate that the book she gives me is about that topic?
David is a very sweet, naïve boy as to the ways of the world. His journey is really touching. The story becomes a commentary on what dreams for the future feel like and how it feels to have those dreams removed. It teaches the dual emotions that come when huge sacrifices are made for people that you love. It teaches the true lesson that sacrifice is exactly that — giving up something that is dear to you — and that act is painful at times. And that is OK. And realizing that something has caused you pain doesn’t mean you regret doing it or have made the wrong choice.
The way that this concept is presented as simple. It is written for children. I think that that would tempt some people to disregard it, but what could be more beautiful than an author who has taken the time to explain the joys and pains of sacrifice so simply? What child wouldn’t benefit from such a lesson? i’m not sure I could imagine a more worthwhile pursuit. My own daughter walks away from this book understanding that her desires are certainly not the most important desires in a given situation, which, ironically, is a lesson that I hoped to instill in her. Whether I have succeeded or not is irrelevant, because she found the answer herself in literature.
What a beautiful experience. The book itself is a bit of a mix between Anne of Green Gables and Amelia Bedelia, this poor boy constantly misunderstanding simple things, but overall so full of joy and light that he can’t help but affect others lives as well. It is simple. It is beautiful. It is definitely worth a read.
This is the author of Pollyanna, by the way, a story I love dearly.
If you do read it, try to picture my little chubby cheek, redheaded, young daughter, reading it on her own at a young age. Picture her heart being moved enough that she remembered it years later to recommend it to her tired, jaded ole dad. Picture it sweetening their relationship, and narrowing the chasm between angst teenage daughters and their concerned fathers, easing the pain of the natural distance that grows between a dad and his babies, and smoothing the edges of the sacrifices involved in family life. Here in the novel, David is learning these lessons. I’m happy to offer my gratitude to the author for this beautiful story, and for the bonding it led to with my daughter.
June 22, 2015
This book was recommended and lent to me by Isaac's violin teacher. It is by the author of Pollyanna and was a very sweet story. It is about a boy who grows up in the mountains with his father. He is very innocent. The time comes at 10 years old that he has to return to society. His nature and innocence are very odd to his new community but eventually everyone is touched and changed by him. It is a similar idea as Pollyanna but with a different plot. I thought it was a beautiful story and I enjoyed his way of looking at the world. David plays the violin and he expresses himself through music. He plays what he sees and how he feels. It is also about the power of music and the beautiful world that we live in.
This book led to a really beautiful conversation. I was at a doctor's appointment when I was reading it and the doctor asked what I was reading. He asked if I liked that particular genre. Not knowing what genre it was and not having read Pollyanna I assumed I did not. He went on to say his wife loves those kinds of books and listed several - THE GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST, LITTLE WOMEN, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES etc. I realized that these are all books I have read and loved. It has been years since I've read them and it was a nice walk down memory lane. My grandmother gave all of these books to me and I still have them. Yes, I guess I do read this genre, but it has been far to long!
Some good quotes were:
"Things that aren't beautiful you'll make beautiful- because we find what we are looking for, and you're looking for beautiful things." (p. 166)
"You see I found out yesterday that it's the thinking that does it. All day long I was thinking - only thinking. I wasn't doing it, at all. I was really raking behind the cart, but the hours all were sunny." (p. 136)
"Father says that I am one little instrument in the great Orchestra of Life, and that I must see to it that I'm always in tune, and don't drag or hit false notes." (p. 26)
"He said they were a necessary nuisance, - dishes, and getting meals, and clearing up." (p. 49)
"The mountains, and the sky, and the birds and squirrels and brooks are really in my violin." (p. 41)
This book led to a really beautiful conversation. I was at a doctor's appointment when I was reading it and the doctor asked what I was reading. He asked if I liked that particular genre. Not knowing what genre it was and not having read Pollyanna I assumed I did not. He went on to say his wife loves those kinds of books and listed several - THE GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST, LITTLE WOMEN, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES etc. I realized that these are all books I have read and loved. It has been years since I've read them and it was a nice walk down memory lane. My grandmother gave all of these books to me and I still have them. Yes, I guess I do read this genre, but it has been far to long!
Some good quotes were:
"Things that aren't beautiful you'll make beautiful- because we find what we are looking for, and you're looking for beautiful things." (p. 166)
"You see I found out yesterday that it's the thinking that does it. All day long I was thinking - only thinking. I wasn't doing it, at all. I was really raking behind the cart, but the hours all were sunny." (p. 136)
"Father says that I am one little instrument in the great Orchestra of Life, and that I must see to it that I'm always in tune, and don't drag or hit false notes." (p. 26)
"He said they were a necessary nuisance, - dishes, and getting meals, and clearing up." (p. 49)
"The mountains, and the sky, and the birds and squirrels and brooks are really in my violin." (p. 41)
December 27, 2016
This is a novel I read as a kid, after finding a wealth of Porter novels (and Anne of Green Gables and Freckles!) in my grandmother Gove's attic and devouring them. That led me on countless book quests throughout my teenage (and adult, let's be honest) years, contacting rare and used book dealers all over the country to find other titles and first editions. I've been wanting to re-read this one for some time, and right before Christmas, I did. It's a flowery style to be sure, but wonderful characters, lovely messages that are good to be reminded of from time to time, and a nostalgia and sentimentality that I fell in love with all those years ago that still moves me today. From a grown-up literary perspective, I wish the ending was not quite so abrupt, but I think I understand why Porter chose that path. I will probably re-read this one every few years, similar to Anne or The Book Thief or To Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby or The History of Love. And Harry Potter of course. There are just some books you have to re-visit.
March 29, 2015
I'm a sucker for sentimental and moralistic tales, but "Just David"'s title character just set my teeth on edge. After a Rousseau-esque upbringing, newly orphaned David's unspoiled nature comes in contact with the cold, cruel world, leaving me cold, cruel, and spoiled.
The obligatory child-reunites-sundered-lovers bit serves as the only point of interest, but not much of one.
There is a slight twist at the end, but really, the author could just have written "HA HA HA I AM MAKING A TWIST AT THE END" (in fact, I can envision her chuckling in exactly this fashion as she made her changes).
Instead of "Just David", I recommend reading Porter's "Pollyanna" again. At the heart of it, Pollyanna is a plausible small child in a way that David is not.
1.5 stars, rounded up.
Available for free on Gutenberg.
The obligatory child-reunites-sundered-lovers bit serves as the only point of interest, but not much of one.
There is a slight twist at the end, but really, the author could just have written "HA HA HA I AM MAKING A TWIST AT THE END" (in fact, I can envision her chuckling in exactly this fashion as she made her changes).
Instead of "Just David", I recommend reading Porter's "Pollyanna" again. At the heart of it, Pollyanna is a plausible small child in a way that David is not.
1.5 stars, rounded up.
Available for free on Gutenberg.
December 3, 2015
Pollyanna + Anne of Green Gables + Heidi + A Girl of the Limberlost. Except with a boy. I can't call it great literature since it reminded me so much of so many other books, but they were all books I like. A sweet book that made me think about how we view beauty in our lives.
November 28, 2012
“Just David” is a great a book. I would recommend it to a violinist. David is a ten year old boy who doesn’t know his last name. His dad died on the side of the road. Just before he died, he gave David a sack full of large gold coins and told him to hide them until needed. A man named Simeon Holly found him sitting on the side of the road playing a violin to his “sleeping” father. Simeon, realizing the man is dead; he and his wife try to figure out the boy’s name. He tells them he is “just David”. They raise him like their own son. You have to read this.
January 12, 2013
At first my teens scoffed that this was sentimental Victorian literature, but by the end of the book they were enjoying it and were deeply involved. The book had improved by then, too, and involved more action and real emotion and less 'sappy' elements.
This is a sweet story about an idealistic little orphan violinist who changes the town that takes him in. If you read many books out loud to your children, add this one; if you read only a few out loud, don't let Just David crowd out a better book.
Just David is similar to Pollyanna by the same author.
This is a sweet story about an idealistic little orphan violinist who changes the town that takes him in. If you read many books out loud to your children, add this one; if you read only a few out loud, don't let Just David crowd out a better book.
Just David is similar to Pollyanna by the same author.
October 25, 2019
So beautiful. David is so wonderful. No one understands the way he thinks. But he has his beloved fiddle. David’s view of the world and it’s beauty, and the way he only counts the good days is so pleasing to read. He takes heart in every moment and wants for people to hear and feel and see the things he plays on his fiddle so that they will have joy. He says so much and yet he is just David. I absolutely loved it. It is simple and beautiful and so worth reading.
We are all just Instruments in the Orchestra of Life.<3
We are all just Instruments in the Orchestra of Life.<3
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