Friday Spines Book Review Number 11:
Happy reading,
Above is a link to my edition, which includes both books. All links to this book will be to my edition unless otherwise mentioned.
It probably wasn't the smartest idea to pick the last book of this lovely series to review. I didn't actually think of that before just now, so oh well. Here's a link to the list of books in the series. Anyway, I'm going to focus on the writing and not give too many details on the plot, although if you haven't read these books, you should turn off your computer or addictive device with a shiny screen and do so. Seriously.
Betsy, who starts out as a charming, giggly five-year-old, is now a charming, giggly twenty-one-year-old, who is off on a Grand Adventure through the Great World. She leaves her long-time home in Deep Valley and takes a steamboat across the Atlantic, where she visits Munich, London, and Paris, among other worldly locations. In Venice she has a brief courtship with an Italian named Marco Regali, who takes her for moonlit gondola rides and brings her flowers in the evenings.
All too soon, Betsy is back home in the States, where she is met by her beloved blonde sweetheart. (If you've read the books you must know this is coming.) Joe Willard and his "don't-give-a-damn walk" are back, and within five minutes of setting foot on American soil, Betsy is engaged. After the marriage, though, it becomes apparent to both of them that being married won't change Betsy's inedible cooking or Joe's unemployed status. This is a nice touch for readers who appreciate reality in their fairy tales, especially those who also love endings that turn out well for all involved. Okay, end of summary, and even the most religiously anti-spoiler readers will still enjoy the plot.
The Betsy series can be appreciated by almost anyone. The last books in the series are recommended for ages 10 and up, although it's lovely to read the whole series over the years. The content is mild, seen from the perspective of a dreamy heroine. Sexism is very present throughout the books, and while this can mostly be seen as gallant and chivalrous, it is directly addressed after Betsy's marriage. It's a good idea to bring this up with younger readers, especially girls, because "romantic" and "unfair" can often blur together.
Other things I like about this series:
- The fact that it's a, um, series. The writing matures and becomes more sophisticated along with Betsy (although she admittedly lacks sophistication, in an endearing and relatable way) so this is a perfect literary tradition to start with a younger child. (The first book, Betsy-Tacy, I'd recommend for ages 5 and up.)
- The illustrations! In my edition each chapter opens with a innocently romantic black-and-white drawing, which is the perfectly accompaniment to Betsy's adventures.
- Like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, this series is semi auto-biographical, which makes it all the more intriguing to read.
- Although Betsy grows older and somewhat wiser as the books progress, she never loses her essential spirit: Her Betsy-ness stays intact through heartbreak and financial troubles, homesickness and seasickness.
You might also like: All of a Kind Family, by Sydney Taylor; Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery, and other books by Maud Hart Lovelace.
See you on Monday for the next book announcement!
Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle
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