Daddy-Long-Legs Version 2


Read by Jo Karabasz

(4.7 stars; 78 reviews)

Jerusha Abbott was brought up at the John Grier Home, an old-fashioned orphanage. The children were wholly dependent on charity and had to wear other people's cast-off clothes. Jerusha's unusual first name was selected by the matron off a grave stone, while her surname was selected out of the phone book. At the age of 18, she has finished her education and is at loose ends, still working in the dormitories at the institution where she was brought up.

One day, after the asylum's trustees have made their monthly visit, Jerusha is informed by the asylum's dour matron that one of the trustees has offered to pay her way through college. He has spoken to her former teachers and thinks she has potential to become an excellent writer. He will pay her tuition and also give her a generous monthly allowance. Jerusha must write him a monthly letter, because he believes that letter-writing is important to the development of a writer. However, she will never know his identity; she must address the letters to Mr. John Smith, and he will never reply.

Jerusha catches a glimpse of the shadow of her benefactor from the back, and knows he is a tall long-legged man. Because of this, she jokingly calls him "Daddy Long-Legs." She attends a women's college, but the name and location are never identified; however, men from Princeton University are frequently mentioned as dates, so it is certainly on the East Coast. The college is almost certainly based on the author's alma mater, Vassar College, judging from college traditions mentioned. She illustrates her letters with childlike line drawings, also created by Jean Webster. (Summary by Wikipedia) (4 hr 31 min)

Chapters

01 - Blue Wednesday 16:43 Read by Jo Karabasz
02 - Freshman Year #1 40:57 Read by Jo Karabasz
03 - Freshman Year continued 34:13 Read by Jo Karabasz
04 - Sophomore Year #1 36:13 Read by Jo Karabasz
05 - Sophomore Year continued 41:08 Read by Jo Karabasz
06 - Junior Year #1 23:03 Read by Jo Karabasz
07 - Junior Year continued 22:07 Read by Jo Karabasz
08 - Senior Year 29:02 Read by Jo Karabasz
09 - Graduate 27:49 Read by Jo Karabasz

Reviews

Sweet little story


(5 stars)

Either I'm good at guessing mysteries, or it's fairly obvious who Daddy Long-Legs is, but the story is worth the listen nevertheless. It's enjoyable hearing the main character's changing attitudes and frank opinions through her first-person narratives in the letters. The reader is a joy. I love how she giggles in places where the character would have giggled, is sarcastic and angry where the character is... basically, she's great at becoming the character. Well done!

Unexpected Enjoyment


(5 stars)

I've seen the Fed Astaire movie and expected the same storyline to be read, but the movie and book are nothing alike except the beginning. The book is a collection of letters read in the first person. The reader was very enjoyable to listen to and kept me very interested in my first audiobook. I am looking forward to more readings.

Lovely Book


(5 stars)

What a lovely, sweet story read by a great reader! I enjoy books told in letters as they make this story more alive. Following J through her years of college took me back to some of my own College days, the summers in between and the friendships made.

To Fellow Christians


(0.5 stars)

If you are a Christian you will probably be disappointed listening to this book. It's a shame the author felt that to be clever one must be sacreligious.

Great Reader and Lovely Story


(5 stars)

Beautiful story, very heartwarming and and an easy listen. This reader did a commendable job and was pleasant to listen to.


(5 stars)

Such an beautiful Audio and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it over my bus ride to see my grandchild in everyday


(4 stars)

A couple of chapters have a bit of echo, but the overall quality is really good.

Good narration and laugh out loud


(5 stars)

Enjoyable listen and story. I laughed to tears twice