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Mazli: A Story of The Swiss Valleys
The Story of the Bergmann family, A widowed mother and her five children, and their life in the Swiss Alps. Mäzli is the youngest of the children a charming vibrant little girl with love for everyone in her heart. The story includes a mystery about a castle, some newly orphaned children, and a gruff old baron. Watch the Bergmann family as they learn lessons about dealing with their own faults and loving others. Illlustrated
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1892
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194 people want to read
About the author
Johanna Spyri
1,332 books1,003 followersJohanna 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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 26, 2013
It was my mother's book. Published by Lippincott in 1921, when my mother was 4 years old (no, she wasn't a precocious reader). So I read it because I loved the real Heidi, and had read Cornelli (I think), and because it was my mother's book.
Johanna Spyri ALWAYS wraps up all the problems, ALWAYS pulls a Lost Childhood Friend out of the mystery, and ALWAYS preaches a good sermon. And children are always the heroes.
This, her third book to come out in English, is no different, except that there are a zillion children, each with his of her own problem and sterling character quality.
However, for the first time, I recognized that whoever translated this book was fairly inept at turning good German into good English. It's very literal and really awkward. So now (oh, my, what a chore), I need to go back to the others, check out the translator's name, and read them
Johanna Spyri ALWAYS wraps up all the problems, ALWAYS pulls a Lost Childhood Friend out of the mystery, and ALWAYS preaches a good sermon. And children are always the heroes.
This, her third book to come out in English, is no different, except that there are a zillion children, each with his of her own problem and sterling character quality.
However, for the first time, I recognized that whoever translated this book was fairly inept at turning good German into good English. It's very literal and really awkward. So now (oh, my, what a chore), I need to go back to the others, check out the translator's name, and read them
May 7, 2024
eponymous sentence:
p9: "Mäzli," said the mother, "let Lippo finish; otherwise I can't understand what you want."
ocr:
p46: The doctor had not found Sale's wounds of a serious nature, but as he had a delicate constitution, great care had to be taken.
p83: Salo, who was sitting beside her, had been so funny, that it suited her better to stay here than to go to bed, Quickly climbing up the uncle's chair from behind, she put both round arms caressingly about his neck and whispered in his ear, "Oh, darling Uncle Philip, today is a feast day, isn't it?..."
p123: "I am quite comfortable able here."
It's so hard not to compare her other works to Heidi, as there's a lot of similarities to her magnum opus.
p9: "Mäzli," said the mother, "let Lippo finish; otherwise I can't understand what you want."
ocr:
p46: The doctor had not found Sale's wounds of a serious nature, but as he had a delicate constitution, great care had to be taken.
p83: Salo, who was sitting beside her, had been so funny, that it suited her better to stay here than to go to bed, Quickly climbing up the uncle's chair from behind, she put both round arms caressingly about his neck and whispered in his ear, "Oh, darling Uncle Philip, today is a feast day, isn't it?..."
p123: "I am quite comfortable able here."
It's so hard not to compare her other works to Heidi, as there's a lot of similarities to her magnum opus.
August 22, 2012
Johanna Spyri knew how to make a fairly easy going story where each character is considered thoroughly. This book has many characters and Mazli is the youngest, but more goes on with her eldest brother, her mother and the neighbours. She has a large family and there are often tales of a nearby castle, once inhabited by old friends of the mother and uncle. Of course, as with many of Spyri's stories, there are struggles and an awkward amount of suffering to the undeserved, made well in the end, thankfully.
Having read this for librivox.org I was pleased with the choice to get more Spyri known. This book has a mere nine chapters: but the SIZE of the chapters! Yikes.
Having read this for librivox.org I was pleased with the choice to get more Spyri known. This book has a mere nine chapters: but the SIZE of the chapters! Yikes.
November 15, 2020
Aus irgendeinem Grund nannte ich dieses Buch im Kopf stets "Heidi" :D Wie für Spyri typisch verwendet sie auch hier wieder ihre bekannten Elemente, man kann also gewisse Parallelen ziehen.
Dennoch hat das Schloss genug eigenen Charm, um auch neben dem berühmten Heidi zu bestehen. Auch wenn es nicht dessen konzentrierte Stärke aufweist. Es ist trotzdem eine berührende Geschichte, die mit sehr vielen Awww-Momenten daherkommt.
Anfangs wirkt die Handlung ein wenig überladen, da sehr viel passiert, was zu Beginn unzusammenhängend schein. Doch Spyri löst am Schluss alles auf, sodass alle einzelnen Szenen zu einem Ganzen zusammengeführt werden.
Mir persönlich haben die anderen Bücher, die ich bisher von der Autorin gelesen habe, etwas besser gefallen, aber nichtsdestotrotz konnte ich mit dem Schloss ein paar schöne Lesestunden verbringen. Spyri weiss den Weg ins Herz ihrer Leser zu finden und setzt dieses Wissen auch gekonnt ein.
Ein weiteres Spyri-Werk, das einfach nur gut tut.
Dennoch hat das Schloss genug eigenen Charm, um auch neben dem berühmten Heidi zu bestehen. Auch wenn es nicht dessen konzentrierte Stärke aufweist. Es ist trotzdem eine berührende Geschichte, die mit sehr vielen Awww-Momenten daherkommt.
Anfangs wirkt die Handlung ein wenig überladen, da sehr viel passiert, was zu Beginn unzusammenhängend schein. Doch Spyri löst am Schluss alles auf, sodass alle einzelnen Szenen zu einem Ganzen zusammengeführt werden.
Mir persönlich haben die anderen Bücher, die ich bisher von der Autorin gelesen habe, etwas besser gefallen, aber nichtsdestotrotz konnte ich mit dem Schloss ein paar schöne Lesestunden verbringen. Spyri weiss den Weg ins Herz ihrer Leser zu finden und setzt dieses Wissen auch gekonnt ein.
Ein weiteres Spyri-Werk, das einfach nur gut tut.
July 22, 2015
Swiss author Johanna Spyri knew how to put together a happy ending, and Mazli: A Story of the Swiss Valleys is absolutely celebratory. There are a lot of characters to keep up with, but this wasn't a problem. Spyri introduces and deepens our understanding of more than eight children and multiple adults in a gradual way that gives the community a rich history.
Small, kindhearted Mazli is the youngest of five siblings and is the darling of the neighborhood. Well, most people think so. She does have the unfortunate habit of repeating things she has heard her older siblings say, and she can ask sincere -- but possibly insulting -- questions. Mazli adds some cute factor to the book, but, due to the large number of children involved, I wondered at first why she was the title character. ...But, wait for the ending! It is Mazli's bold friendliness that breaks through the defenses of a stony heart and sets in motion a series of events that result in the restoration of lost relationships and broken families.
Issues the children deal with are anger management, standing up for truth, the desire for close friendship, and the need for loyalty, obedience, repentance, and forgiveness.
This really is a multi-generational story as well. As a grown woman with children of my own, I found myself relating most to the parts of the book that featured the children's mother. Full of wisdom and the very center of her children's world, Mrs. Maza learns to further trust her Heavenly Father with the futures of her children. I will share my favorite passage below:
"The mother knew that she had not the power to keep her children from pain and sin, but she knew the hand which leads and steadies all children that are entrusted to it, that can guard and save where no mother's hand or love can avail. She went with folded hands from one bed to the other, surrendering her children to their Father's protection in Heaven. He knew best how much they were in need of His loving care."
Johanna Spyri was my favorite author when I was a child, and it felt good to return to my literary roots and become reacquainted with her as an adult. She comes from a different time and culture, and, yes, some of it is a bit foreign to the way we do things now, but Spyri's worshipful reliance on our Heavenly Father transcends time and place. It is a breath of fresh air.
Small, kindhearted Mazli is the youngest of five siblings and is the darling of the neighborhood. Well, most people think so. She does have the unfortunate habit of repeating things she has heard her older siblings say, and she can ask sincere -- but possibly insulting -- questions. Mazli adds some cute factor to the book, but, due to the large number of children involved, I wondered at first why she was the title character. ...But, wait for the ending! It is Mazli's bold friendliness that breaks through the defenses of a stony heart and sets in motion a series of events that result in the restoration of lost relationships and broken families.
Issues the children deal with are anger management, standing up for truth, the desire for close friendship, and the need for loyalty, obedience, repentance, and forgiveness.
This really is a multi-generational story as well. As a grown woman with children of my own, I found myself relating most to the parts of the book that featured the children's mother. Full of wisdom and the very center of her children's world, Mrs. Maza learns to further trust her Heavenly Father with the futures of her children. I will share my favorite passage below:
"The mother knew that she had not the power to keep her children from pain and sin, but she knew the hand which leads and steadies all children that are entrusted to it, that can guard and save where no mother's hand or love can avail. She went with folded hands from one bed to the other, surrendering her children to their Father's protection in Heaven. He knew best how much they were in need of His loving care."
Johanna Spyri was my favorite author when I was a child, and it felt good to return to my literary roots and become reacquainted with her as an adult. She comes from a different time and culture, and, yes, some of it is a bit foreign to the way we do things now, but Spyri's worshipful reliance on our Heavenly Father transcends time and place. It is a breath of fresh air.
November 28, 2012
Just wanted to give a head's up: From the beginning displayed on the first page "Maxa's Children" is basically another title for a book called Mazli (or Maezli) which is already in public domain and can be downloaded for free on Gutenberg.org (or an audio version at librivox.org). Having read the book, I'd say this title makes more sense but this edition came out later so it's not downloadable yet.
August 6, 2011
Copyright 1921, so a bit old fashioned, but timeless story of children who have no home and in the end are taken in by their long lost uncle. The uncle lives in a huge castle and the children will never want for anything again.
May 1, 2010
This book is just fun and sweet. A beautiful example of right and wrong and Mother's love. Its not earth shaking but cute.
February 26, 2009
A wonderful children's story!! Very easy to read.
October 11, 2021
While a bit preachy, in my opinion, near the middle the plot finally got my attention. As I was reading the story, I kept feeling that the traits of human nature that Spyri wrote about would be as accurate as today, for example, how multiple children in a family vie for their mother's attention. I loved the colored illustrations in this edition as I wonder how people lived and how they dressed in the "old" days. As with the other Johanna Spyri stories that I've read, this seems to be inspirational reading full of morals, decisions, and religion that is perfect for childrens' characters -- if the quaint style doesn't bore them in this day of video games.
March 15, 2019
Up until about two years ago, I didn't even know that Johanna Spryi had written other books besides her most famous work, Heidi. Then I discovered Mazli.
This story is a gem. The characters are so lovable and the story is humorous and engaging. I enjoy Spyri's style, it's simple but sweet, and her knowledge of life in the Swiss Alps adds so much to the stories she tells.
If you arn't accustom to reading 20th Century children's literature, than you should probably take into account that this was published in 1921 and is considerably more wordy and confusing than modern children's books. :)
This story is a gem. The characters are so lovable and the story is humorous and engaging. I enjoy Spyri's style, it's simple but sweet, and her knowledge of life in the Swiss Alps adds so much to the stories she tells.
If you arn't accustom to reading 20th Century children's literature, than you should probably take into account that this was published in 1921 and is considerably more wordy and confusing than modern children's books. :)
March 14, 2017
Some reviewer's have ranked Maezli above Heidi as there are more characters in this story. The story has a mysterious castle in which 'orphaned' children find their home while being nursed to health from sickness by a loving family. But somehow I'm biased towards Heidi. Focusing on a single child in the story somehow makes me connect with Heidi more closely than the children in Maezli (she is not the orphan without a home).
Read
July 23, 2023Book of my childhood. Love it to pieces. Kitsch, of course, it's Spyri after all, and you also need a tolerance for the religious version of Kitsch, but I still like it. Maybe each character only gets 1-2 adjectives, but she really truly believes them and writes good interactions between the five younger siblings, Leonore, and the older generation.
June 4, 2018
A version is available on LibriVox.
January 26, 2019
Interesante😗😗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
Gosh I really see why Heidi's the one that we still read 150 years later! but this was still interesting.
you can read this book for free through Project Gutenberg
you can read this book for free through Project Gutenberg
January 24, 2026
CONTENT talk of a ghost , alcohol consuption, mention of death,
MESSAGES Good friends are hard to find, but they can be so worth it - we don't know what plans God has for us- giving way to temper can end badly - sometimes Mamma actaully does know best - it's a bit ok to be slightly vengeful if ther pserson really deserves it
WRITING A little slow for a start, and one of the big reasons why I enjoy this book so much is the cozy family atmosphier.
CONCLUSION This is one of my two favourites of the Johana Spyrir books I've read. Unlike Heidi or Moni the Goat-Boy, this book has no roamping about the mountins with, well, goats. Also no bused/misunderstood children.
What I liked
Though I found it a little harder to get into at first, I found myself transported by the family vibes and the charratures as a whole. I like th sibling and mother and uncle relationship vibes.
What I didnt like
Ok so... their dad? He barely gets a mention, and, based on the youngest child's age, he'''' can't have been dead for more then about 6 years. But he is mentioned only a couple of times, always in passing, and the mother speaks of her growing up years before she married him as her happiest. But, from what we dohear of him, he was a great guy. Just.. ok, that rant over.
Besides that, they might tend towards the overly senitmentaal, but not so much I found it painful. (which I sometimes do)
On this last time listening, it struck me that the Mother's descion to lie to sa child in her care (intnding to giver her a surprise or smth), is what I personally, wouold call a breach of trust.
The audionbooks
Maezli read by Dayrl Wor
She douiosn't do a German/Swiss accent, but I can't think of another complaint. She doesn good sweet voices, and diction is what I enjoy. (ie. I like it; if yyyyyou
re looking for a solo audiobook, this is the one*)
Mazli (a dramatic reading by Libirvox volunteers) (te diference in spellling was intentional)
You know that part when they say "fpr more information, or to volumnterr, please visit Librivox.org?" Well, these peole did that, (presumable; I wasn't there) and they made this! I enjoyed the Narrator/Uncle Phillip's voice very much, and many of the suporting readers also did German prununciations, And And the onwe who did "The Castle Steward", did a full accent, which I thought was fun! I didn't notice manger volume problems, which you sometimes run into on here, so if you're looking for a dramatic reading, this is it.
*the only one I'm aware of, but that dosn't change how good it is XD
MESSAGES Good friends are hard to find, but they can be so worth it - we don't know what plans God has for us- giving way to temper can end badly - sometimes Mamma actaully does know best - it's a bit ok to be slightly vengeful if ther pserson really deserves it
WRITING A little slow for a start, and one of the big reasons why I enjoy this book so much is the cozy family atmosphier.
CONCLUSION This is one of my two favourites of the Johana Spyrir books I've read. Unlike Heidi or Moni the Goat-Boy, this book has no roamping about the mountins with, well, goats. Also no bused/misunderstood children.
What I liked
Though I found it a little harder to get into at first, I found myself transported by the family vibes and the charratures as a whole. I like th sibling and mother and uncle relationship vibes.
What I didnt like
Ok so... their dad? He barely gets a mention, and, based on the youngest child's age, he'''' can't have been dead for more then about 6 years. But he is mentioned only a couple of times, always in passing, and the mother speaks of her growing up years before she married him as her happiest. But, from what we dohear of him, he was a great guy. Just.. ok, that rant over.
Besides that, they might tend towards the overly senitmentaal, but not so much I found it painful. (which I sometimes do)
On this last time listening, it struck me that the Mother's descion to lie to sa child in her care (intnding to giver her a surprise or smth), is what I personally, wouold call a breach of trust.
The audionbooks
Maezli read by Dayrl Wor
She douiosn't do a German/Swiss accent, but I can't think of another complaint. She doesn good sweet voices, and diction is what I enjoy. (ie. I like it; if yyyyyou
re looking for a solo audiobook, this is the one*)
Mazli (a dramatic reading by Libirvox volunteers) (te diference in spellling was intentional)
You know that part when they say "fpr more information, or to volumnterr, please visit Librivox.org?" Well, these peole did that, (presumable; I wasn't there) and they made this! I enjoyed the Narrator/Uncle Phillip's voice very much, and many of the suporting readers also did German prununciations, And And the onwe who did "The Castle Steward", did a full accent, which I thought was fun! I didn't notice manger volume problems, which you sometimes run into on here, so if you're looking for a dramatic reading, this is it.
*the only one I'm aware of, but that dosn't change how good it is XD
January 29, 2013
Sweet, but no point. Read aloud to Anna
April 9, 2019
I've enjoyed several of her books and occasionally reread some of them. Wish I had more of them.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews