We have all heard it said, in a disgusted, or almost derogatory term, to "quit being a Pollyanna." The name Pollyanna, it seems, has become synonymous with obnoxious, in-your-face optimism, and so, even having seen the Hayley Mills film a couple of times when I was a kid, I started Pollyanna with a smidgen of trepidation. Just how sugar-coated vanilla-cupcake sprinkles-on-top was this book going to be?
Pollyanna Whittier is the original "cockeyed optimist." Orphaned at age 11 when her missionary father dies unexpectedly, Pollyanna is sent to live with her no-nonsense old maid Aunt Polly Harrington, who makes it clear she is only doing her duty in taking Pollyanna in, and that she has no interest in children. Pollyanna insists on making a bleak future bright by playing "The Glad Game" and teaching it to anyone who will listen. The Glad Game, she says, originated when she received a charity present for Christmas. Hoping for a doll, Pollyanna was dismayed to find that she'd been given a pair of crutches. Her father quickly said that she should be glad that she got crutches, since she "didn't have to use 'em". Pollyanna's bright-eyed, optimistic way of turning every bad situation into a good one slowly begins to win over even the most caustic and ornery inhabitants of the town. But when tragedy strikes, it is Pollyanna who needs reminding that even the worst situations can be made the best of.
The book's titular heroine reminds me in many ways of Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. Like Anne, Pollyanna is eleven years old, freckled, orphaned, and adopted unwillingly by an older person who did not originally want her. Both girls talk a blue streak and endear themselves to anyone in their paths. But Pollyanna lacks some of Anne Shirley's drama, theatrics, and love of tragedy. In Pollyanna's world, the sun is always shining, and if you're miserable, it's only because you haven't found the reason why you should be happy yet. The saccharine-sweetness I expected never did come. Pollyanna is optimistic, yes, but she isn't a "Mary Sue" -- she realizes that there is darkness and sadness in the world, and she doesn't shy from it; she is only determined to make the best of every situation. And when her life takes an unexpected turn for the worst, she exhibits very real little-girl emotions.
This book was a very quick read -- I think because it's definitely geared more towards children or young adults -- so I read it in two days, and I liked it. I don't know if I'll reread it, since it was geared towards someone much younger than me -- but still, very cute.
Rating: *** and 1/2
Pollyanna Whittier is the original "cockeyed optimist." Orphaned at age 11 when her missionary father dies unexpectedly, Pollyanna is sent to live with her no-nonsense old maid Aunt Polly Harrington, who makes it clear she is only doing her duty in taking Pollyanna in, and that she has no interest in children. Pollyanna insists on making a bleak future bright by playing "The Glad Game" and teaching it to anyone who will listen. The Glad Game, she says, originated when she received a charity present for Christmas. Hoping for a doll, Pollyanna was dismayed to find that she'd been given a pair of crutches. Her father quickly said that she should be glad that she got crutches, since she "didn't have to use 'em". Pollyanna's bright-eyed, optimistic way of turning every bad situation into a good one slowly begins to win over even the most caustic and ornery inhabitants of the town. But when tragedy strikes, it is Pollyanna who needs reminding that even the worst situations can be made the best of.
The book's titular heroine reminds me in many ways of Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. Like Anne, Pollyanna is eleven years old, freckled, orphaned, and adopted unwillingly by an older person who did not originally want her. Both girls talk a blue streak and endear themselves to anyone in their paths. But Pollyanna lacks some of Anne Shirley's drama, theatrics, and love of tragedy. In Pollyanna's world, the sun is always shining, and if you're miserable, it's only because you haven't found the reason why you should be happy yet. The saccharine-sweetness I expected never did come. Pollyanna is optimistic, yes, but she isn't a "Mary Sue" -- she realizes that there is darkness and sadness in the world, and she doesn't shy from it; she is only determined to make the best of every situation. And when her life takes an unexpected turn for the worst, she exhibits very real little-girl emotions.
This book was a very quick read -- I think because it's definitely geared more towards children or young adults -- so I read it in two days, and I liked it. I don't know if I'll reread it, since it was geared towards someone much younger than me -- but still, very cute.
Rating: *** and 1/2
Thanks! this was of much help to me.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this book. Pollyanna's happiness WITH life as well as with LIVING life should be a lesson to us all. There isn't enough happiness in this world... therefore, we should not criticize those who lend their happiness to us. I think that we are too jaded with corruptness and evil that we find it hard to believe when others can turn rain clouds inside out and look for the silver lining. Pollyanna is a classic that should be read by all generations!
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