Daddy-Long-Legs (Daddy-Long-Legs, #1) in Our Shared Shelf

Jul 09, 2017 Xanthe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-books, historical-fiction, romance, favorites, epistolary, read-in-2017, rereads, classics

I read this some uncountable number of times in my youth and was recently reminded of it by the Smart Bitches nostalgia post. Of course, I couldn’t find any of my actual physical copies and had to make due with a Project Gutenberg digital copy from Overdrive without any of the charming illustrations, but still I persevered. Judy Abbot (named Jerusha by the matron of the orphan asylum where she was raised. Ugh. I’d change it too) has just been given a life-changing escape from her unchanging futu I read this some uncountable number of times in my youth and was recently reminded of it by the Smart Bitches nostalgia post. Of course, I couldn’t find any of my actual physical copies and had to make due with a Project Gutenberg digital copy from Overdrive without any of the charming illustrations, but still I persevered. Judy Abbot (named Jerusha by the matron of the orphan asylum where she was raised. Ugh. I’d change it too) has just been given a life-changing escape from her unchanging future of drudgery. One of the orphanage trustees was amused and impressed by a piece of her writing (making fun of the orphanage, no less) and has offered to pay for her to attend a ladies’ college giving her the chance at an education and a life beyond her narrow, unloved and unlovely world. All this trustee wants in return is to remain anonymous and for her to write every month and keep him updated on her progress and schooling. Judy throws herself into her bright new world with energy and enthusiasm, making friends and lapping up all the love and beauty that she had been starved of before, passing that on in her letters that she addresses to “Dear Daddy Long Legs” scorning the fake name given to her and making him stand in for the family she wishes she had.

I do love a good epistolary novel and this is completely charming. Judy blossoms at college, held back only by her own self-consciousness at her stunted upbringing and lack of family, but quickly makes friends and throws herself into her studies. I really enjoyed reading about her discovering books for the first time and having normal social experiences like being invited to stay with her friends’ families and getting to buy lovely new gowns for the first time. Daddy Long Legs is silent for the most part, responding with generosity and occasionally with stern requests. The reader can chart Judy’s growth and strength by how her relationship to her benefactor changes over the course of the book. Also, I really loved the glimpses what life was life for an educated woman in the 1910s, the opportunities, restrictions, and expectations. There’s quite a few joking mentions of how life will be different once women get the vote. Also, Judy is ambitious for herself and wants to be a writer, but doesn’t question that getting married would mean the end of that.

*Spoilers now!* I wanted to know how this story held up against my memory of it being completely adorable and just slightly swoon-worthy. I was very worried that rereading it from my advanced age would make me unable not to notice how icky the relationship between Daddy Longs Legs and Judy and who he turns out to be. (Everyone reading this knows, right? I’m not spoiling anyone? Right?) And yes, I must report that there’s a bad wrong power dynamic. Daddy Long Legs and her love interest, Master Jervie, turn out to be one and the same, but that Judy, I feel, shows that she has plenty of backbone and grows into the sort of woman who isn’t cowed by authority or money, which is exactly what that guy needs. She shows herself to be more than capable of shutting him down while at the same time promoting his good qualities of charity and social activism. And in turn, he understands her background, seems to think she’s completely smart and hilarious, and loves her company, judging by how many times he drops in on someone she’s staying with only to spend all his time with her. So, on balance, yes, not a great power dynamic, but not as bad as I feared in retrospect and I have faith that Judy can and will stomp Master Jervie down when he gets overbearing. What’s more he’ll probably like it. In summary, I think it works because Judy is capable of handling her rich, older man who’s completely besotted with her and in part because I desperately want it to work. Other people’s millage will definitely vary.
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Jun 22, 2007 Radhika rated it liked it · review of another edition

I listened to this (audio)book during my daily commute to work. The book transported me back to my carefree school and college days.
The book is written in conversational english by an orphaned girl -Jerush (Judy) Abbot in the form of letters adressed to an unseen benefactor. The benefactor sponsors the girl's college education, which in those times was the privilege of the rich.
Overall entertaining and funny at the same time commenting on women's right to education and vote in early 20th century ...more

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