Product Description

This is the classic story of Heidi, an unwanted child who finds love and happiness against all the odds.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111518 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

A beautiful little story
I grew up with Heidi(in the 60's) and now pass it all on to my own children and I realise the story has lost nothing of its charm and wonder.My children love it as much as I ever did and still do.

Love it!
When Heidi is only five, she is left in the care of her frightening and ever so gruff grandfather, who lives alone in his bare wooden cottage (self built) high up the mountain. However, the young girl softens his heart and the old man begins loving the little lass. The mountains and the meadows become her home and she makes new friends too. Some of them include Peter the goat herder and his blind but kind grandmother. She soon forgets life in the big city but her happiness is ruined when the terrible days comes as soon as her aunt comes to take her back there...

Heidi - An view of 19th century German childhood
This is a book of its time, but it is also very interesting sociologically, as it tells us about German childhood in the mid 19th century. The chief protagonist, a little Swiss girl, is sent to the big city to be a companion to the invalid daughter of a wealthy family. Heidi's straightforward inner "goodness" and simple, unquestioning religious faith inspire those around her. There is a great deal of local colour, as the Alpine region is described in minute and fascinating detail. This is contrasted with the oppressive urbanisation of Frankfurt. This book gives us a very rosy picture of life as a nineteenth century child in the alpine region, in what could be quite a harsh environment. Despite the fact that it is quite formulaic and moralistic, it is extremely moving, which probably explains why it has stood the test of time. Try to see the film, which stars a very young Nicholas Lyndhurst as Peter.