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Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Audiobook
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(3.00) - 15,024 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The willful, chatty ten-year-old Rebecca Rowena Randallhas been sent away from her home at Sunnybrook Farm to live with her two spinster aunts in the quiet town of Riverboro—where it is hoped she will be brought up as a proper young lady.
Precocious, curious, and full of creative energy, Rebecca isn't quite ready to be tamed, leaving the prim and demanding Aunt Miranda with her hands full. But soon, Rebecca's irrepressible spirit and bright intelligence win the hearts of all in Riverboro—including her rigid aunt. As we follow Rebecca's coming-of-age over the course of seven years, we find thatshe manages to become a fine young lady in the process.
The unconventional and charismatic Rebecca, a new kind of female character when she was first introduced in 1903, has since become one of the most beloved characters in children's literature.
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"Such a sweet change of pace after sloughing through Sophie's Choice! There seems to be an entire genre of this kind of novel, where a curmudgeon or old maid is slowly transformed by the advent of a little girl who is able to speak life into a place of staleness, bitterness, and ennui. There are striking similarities between Rebecca and Anne of Green Gables, from the first scene to even the supporting characters and climactic events. I felt Rebecca got into less trouble then Anne did, and I loved the undertones of the gospel and the beauty of childlike faith, wonder, and joy. Rebecca was written 5 years before Anne, but, in spite of their likeness, they are both a pleasure to read. Favorite moments: selling 300 cakes of soap to win a lamp for the neighborhood family, stuffing the prized parasol in the well as self chastisement, and all her prayers and poems."
— Courtney (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Beautiful and warm and satisfying.”
— Mark Twain -
“Why could [Rebecca] not have been my daughter? Why couldn’t it have been I who bought the three hundred cakes of soap? Why, O, why?”
— Jack London -
“Many an older heroine of fiction has failed to arouse the sympathy that little Rebecca recieves from her acquaintances, both in and out of the book...[she] will live in our hearts and minds for many a day.”
— The Week’s Progress, 1903
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Listener Reviews
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" A hopeless copycat of Anne of Green Gables. Rebecca is obnoxiously good. An irritating story altoghter. "
— Mary, 2/19/2014 -
" If you have seen the Shirley Temple movie this is not like it in anyway! I thought it was interesting, a little like Pollyanna. It was fun to read to my kids. "
— Laurel, 2/13/2014 -
" A good children's classic with an imaginative heroine, similar to Anne of Green Gables except that it takes place in small New England town. "
— Gina, 2/9/2014 -
" "Two maidens by a river strayed, 'twas in the state of Maine. Rebecca was the darker one, The fairer, Emma Jane. The fairer maiden said, "I would my life were as the stream; So peaceful, and so smooth and still, so pleasant and serene." "
— Bella9Tink, 2/1/2014 -
" It took me 40 years to finally read this book that I've had since I was a kid. I remember starting it a number of times but could never get into and when I finally read it all the way through I really loved it. It reminds me alot of the story of Anne of Green Gables. "
— Julie, 1/23/2014 -
" Anne of Green Gables style. "
— Seve, 1/13/2014 -
" Cute story. I read the junior classics version after my 10 yr old read it and my one problem is it left me hanging with the man who loves her. I couldn't believe it ended without letting us know what happened with them. Maybe in the non-junior version :) or maybe I'm supposed to use my imagination. "
— Kristen, 1/12/2014 -
" Easy read but good. I really enjoyed reading this story. It was heartwarming and happy. "
— Emma, 1/9/2014 -
" I always wanted to read this book and now finally have. I liked it well enough but didn't totally love. It is well written and pleasant and fun though. "
— Amber, 1/8/2014 -
" One of my favorite books when I was younger. "
— Aleath, 12/23/2013 -
" fun book- like anne of green gables! "
— Rachelbug, 12/6/2013 -
" This is one of the books that showed me that being a girl didn't condemn me to a life of make-up and docility. I didn't have to be a doll to have value. My elementary school mantra: Girls can "do" and not just "be". Thanks, Ms. Wiggins! "
— Gwynne, 11/27/2013 -
" Read Little Women first, and Anne of Green Gables, and Emily of New Moon. After that, if you still have a hankerin' for an idealized childhood, then read Rebecca of Sunnybrook farm. "
— Gwennie, 11/20/2013 -
" Rebecca Rowena Randall is to Maine what Anne Shirley is to PEI. And that's all that needs saying. Highly recommend this gem of a book published in 1903. "
— Lanette, 11/18/2013 -
" I surprised myself in liking this. A very likeable heroine. Uplifting. "
— Simon, 11/17/2013 -
" I upped my rating from 4 stars to 5. This was one of my favorite tales from childhood and continues so to be. For that reason, I gave it 5 stars. I wish it could go on and not end but perhaps it is better that way. "
— LeeAnn, 11/11/2013 -
" Rebecca reminded me of a Anne of Green Gables and of a Antonia. She is a lively and interesting character to follow. I was sad the story ended when it did. There are various character sketches laid out which are worth thinking on. "
— Charity, 11/2/2013 -
" I just love this story! :) "
— HannahBeth, 10/31/2013 -
" Very similar to Anne of Green Gables but in my opinion not as good. Still the story of a girl who wins the hearts of everyone around her with her wild and loveable spirit. "
— Jenn, 10/26/2013 -
" Not that impressed. Couldn't help but compare to my beloved Anne Shirley and, as a result, Rebecca is severely lacking. She's too perfect, in trying too hard. And Mr. Ladd is just plain weird. The ending is also very abrupt, which I didn't care for. "
— Mara, 10/21/2013 -
" I loved the story it is an Anne of Green gables, Emily of new moon, Pollyanna type book. The story was well written and you can not help falling in love with Rebecca. I enjoyed following her life my only complaint was I wish the end rapped things up a little more. "
— Holly, 10/11/2013 -
" A good book for young readers... reminds me of Anne Of Green Gables. "
— Kristy, 10/11/2013 -
" One of my favorites. Anne of Green Gables & Penderwick sort of style. Worth reading again every few years! Sweet & funny! A classic. "
— Elena, 10/9/2013 -
" A sweet girl's story in the Victorian style. "
— Dana, 10/8/2013 -
" if you liked anne of green gables, this is pretty much the same story. it was cute and i cared enough about rebecca to make it a light, if s somewhat unmemorable read. hey, free books sorta rock anyway, right? "
— Vanessa, 10/8/2013 -
" This book feels very dated, but the moral at the heart of it is very modern. "
— Charlotte, 9/30/2013 -
" Rebecca Rowena Randall is to Maine what Anne Shirley is to PEI. And that's all that needs saying. Highly recommend this gem of a book published in 1903. "
— Lanette, 9/19/2013 -
" This is like Anne of Green Gables with a little bit of Pollyanna and Daddy Long Legs added in. I liked it and wish I'd read it when I was about 10 instead of now. "
— KatieSuzanne, 8/16/2013 -
" Loved this book! Quick read and great for young reader. "
— Margaret, 7/25/2013 -
" If you have seen the Shirley Temple movie this is not like it in anyway! I thought it was interesting, a little like Pollyanna. It was fun to read to my kids. "
— Laurel, 6/4/2013 -
" This is such a great story! "
— Rebecca, 5/18/2013 -
" I'm probably the only one who had never read this book, but it is one of my all time favorites now that I have. "
— Shirley, 5/16/2013 -
" FABULOUS. As good as Anne of Green Gables, but shorter. "
— Kieran, 4/21/2013 -
" It's about a young girl who moves to live with her Aunt Miranda. She is loved by the town but hated by by her Aunt. What will happen to her, will she stand up for what she believes in??? "
— Brianna, 4/1/2013 -
" It reminded me quite a bit of Anne of Green Gables, but I didn't like it as much. "
— Barbara, 3/25/2013 -
" I don't care for this book at all. I enjoy the premise and I recognize that it's a favorite of many, but it just wasn't written for me. "
— Jessica, 3/16/2013 -
" "Two maidens by a river strayed, 'twas in the state of Maine. Rebecca was the darker one, The fairer, Emma Jane. The fairer maiden said, "I would my life were as the stream; So peaceful, and so smooth and still, so pleasant and serene." "
— Bella9Tink, 2/26/2013 -
" Reminded me of L. M. Montgomery's Anne. "
— Cayenne, 2/17/2013 -
" I just love this story! :) "
— HannahBeth, 2/12/2013 -
" Enjoyed the overcoming adversity themes. Very anne of Geen Gable-ish, but in a good way. "
— Irobert13, 2/5/2013 -
" I read it when I was a kid. "
— Allison, 1/20/2013 -
" Not like the film. Sweeter, and funnier in a different way. Loved it. "
— Ramatteson, 9/14/2012 -
" Cute Anne of Green Gables type story for when you want something easy to read. I kind of wanted a more tangible ending, but I guess that means I can make it up the way I want, right? "
— Stephanie, 8/11/2012 -
" One of my favorite books when I was younger. "
— Aleath, 7/12/2012 -
" A delightful book, that had me laughing out loud. "
— Sharon, 4/22/2012 -
" This is a classic children's book--age 9 or 10. I cried when one of the characters died when I read it as a child. It always stayed with me. "
— Karla, 11/26/2011 -
" Reminded me of L. M. Montgomery's Anne. "
— Cayenne, 11/6/2011 -
" I was 9 years old when I first read Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. This is my third read of this book -- and I still just love it. I love Rebecca's optimism and her ability to persevere in tough situations. "
— Beth, 9/7/2011 -
" I always wanted to read this book and now finally have. I liked it well enough but didn't totally love. It is well written and pleasant and fun though. "
— Amber, 6/11/2011 -
" What a shame that stories like this are too "unsophisticated" for girls today. It makes it seem natural that a young person would appreciate enduring values like love of learning, individuality, sacrifice. "
— Barbara, 5/7/2011 -
" Loved every minute -- listened to an audiobook version. "
— Jane, 4/30/2011 -
" I reread this and had forgotten the entire plot. It really is a sweet book. "
— Jen, 4/25/2011 -
" Absolutely loved this book! It's one of those beautiful girl-growing up stories in the tradition of Pollyanna or Anne of Green Gables. "
— Patra, 3/26/2011 -
" I read this book because it was one of two books my mother owned as a child and it's my namesake. It was a little a dry and a bit incestuous. "
— Rebeccahardy, 3/16/2011 -
" Ulasan mengenai ceritanya sudah ditulis di buku asli. <br/>Belum baca sampai belakang sih terjemahannya ini pasca cetak, mau lihat berapa banyak yang terlewat kuedit, uhuks...suka mulas. "
— Rini, 2/13/2011 -
" When it comes to the classic novels, I prefer adult stories. Children's stories have matured a lot. "
— Leni, 1/18/2011 -
" I read this back when I was a kid, and remember enjoying it, but never read it again. So I thought it was about time to revisit. "
— Stephanie, 1/14/2011
About Kate Douglas Wiggin
Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856–1923), an innovator in early childhood education, was the author of several well-known novels, including The Birds’ Christmas Carol and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.
About Lorna Raver
Lorna Raver, named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of the Year, has received numerous Audie Award nominations and many AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has appeared on stage in New York, Los Angeles, and regional theaters around the country. Among her many television credits are NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Boston Legal, ER, and Star Trek. She starred in director Sam Raimi’s film Drag Me to Hell.