Daddy-Long-Legs
4. Jean Webster, Daddy-Long-Legs
Jerusha “Judy” Abbott has lived her entire life in an orphanage. Having no parents or family of any kind, she seems doomed to spend her days in dull obscurity, doing nothing more exciting than taking care of the younger children. However, one day the orphanage administrator informs her that a mysterious benefactor calling himself John Smith wants to pay Judy’s tuition for four years at college. Judy gratefully accepts “Mr. Smith’s” conditions: she must write to him at least once a month, but he will never respond or reveal his true identity. The bulk of this novel comprises Judy’s exuberant letters to her benefactor, whom she affectionately nicknames Daddy-Long-Legs since she once saw his tall silhouette. Her letters are full of adventure, excitement, warmth, and humor as she begins to discover her true place in the world.
What an adorable little book! If I had read it when I was a kid, Judy Abbott may well have knocked Anne Shirley right out of first place as my favorite orphaned heroine! Even as an adult, I definitely responded to the effervescent tone of this book, and several times I found myself laughing out loud. My biggest disappointment was that we only see Judy’s letters, so the personality of Daddy-Long-Legs remains somewhat mysterious throughout the book. Although Judy is a marvelous character, everyone else seems a bit underdeveloped - but that makes sense, since the story is told exclusively through her eyes. I also had a bit of a problem with the romance; while part of me thought it was sweet, another part of me was somewhat skeptical (don’t want to say more, for fear of spoilers). But if you’re ever stuck and feeling gloomy on a rainy afternoon, do yourself a favor and read this charming book!