Understood Betsy
by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Synopsis:
First published in 1916, Understood Betsy depicts the tale of Elizabeth Ann. An orphan, she is raised in the city by her great-aunt Harriet and her cousin Frances. Although the pair are capable in caring for young Elizabeth, their existence is a sheltered one. To Elizabeth's surprise, her mother's family - who live in rural Vermont - find her and offer her a place in their country home. Although Harriet has reservations about the manner in which the Putneys raise children, she duly packs Elizabeth off to stay there. Much of the novel regards Elizabeth's adapting to the countryside - many of the duties which are taken care of for her in the city are expected of her there. However the beauty of the country, and the practical things she learns during her upbringing, are ultimately to her benefit.
(from Amazon)
(from Amazon)
My Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎
5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. I love this book so much. I have read it many times, but I still love it so much. So sweet, relaxing, quiet-paced, realistic... and the reading of “The Stag at Eve” is so beautiful. <3 There are only a few mild euphemisms. It's written for a younger audience but that never bothered me, and I strongly encourage everyone to read it. ^_^ It is seriously so good.
A Favourite Short Quote: “‘There were real people living when the Declaration of Independence was signed—real people, not just history people—old women teaching little girls how to do things—right in this very room, on this very floor—and the Declaration of Independence just signed!’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “The little girl's heart beat fast. She fled along through the next lines, stumbling desperately over the hard words but seeing the headlong chase through them clearly as through tree-trunks in a forest.”
A Favourite Humourous Quote: “Betsy looked feverishly among the bottles ranged on the counter, selected two marked ginger ale, and glared at their corrugated tin stoppers. How *did* you get them open?
‘Here's your opener,’ said the man, ‘if that's what you're looking for.[’]”
A Favourite Short Quote: “‘There were real people living when the Declaration of Independence was signed—real people, not just history people—old women teaching little girls how to do things—right in this very room, on this very floor—and the Declaration of Independence just signed!’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “The little girl's heart beat fast. She fled along through the next lines, stumbling desperately over the hard words but seeing the headlong chase through them clearly as through tree-trunks in a forest.”
A Favourite Humourous Quote: “Betsy looked feverishly among the bottles ranged on the counter, selected two marked ginger ale, and glared at their corrugated tin stoppers. How *did* you get them open?
‘Here's your opener,’ said the man, ‘if that's what you're looking for.[’]”
One of the best books I ever read.
ReplyDeleteMarion
I agree <33
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