For your goating pleasure.
If you'll recall a few months ago my husband and I were reading the sequel to Heidi called Heidi Grows Up by Charles Tritten, Johanna Spyri's translator.
I believe I promised at least one of my faithful readers I'd let you know how it was when we were done. I've let the matter cool and gather for a while now.
I called it a dry read then, and I'll go so far as to call it egregious now. Some people can write out a grocery list and it's a soaring epic of pain and joy. Tritten took a good idea and made it read like a grocery list.
It was boring and dull. Description was not his gift so we don't have a clear picture of Maienfeld or Dorfli or the mountains or, well, anything. He does mention the Falknis on occasion as though everyone ought to know all about it.
Anyone who's read Spyri's wonderful work knows that Heidi and Peter will end up together. In the sequel it seems Heidi is clueless as to this outcome. I understand what the author was trying to do, but he failed.
I know I sound harsh, but it's how I see it. Others may disagree. For Tritten's sake I hope so. I hope he has fans who love his work and that he made a healthy living with his two (he also wrote Heidi's Children) sequels.
Good for him for doing this. I think everyone should pursue their dreams and I'm happy that he got to do it. I wish it had been to my taste, but it wasn't and in all fairness, Heidi was a tough act to follow.
Meanwhile I've been reading at a reasonable pace and whittled my TBR main pile (we won't discuss the back up TBR pile) so dangerously low that I had to buy more books the other day. One does as one can.
Last week I read Equal Rites, by Terry Pratchett (Corgi Books, 1987)
Two lines:
"She found that life in the cottage wasn't entirely straightforward. There was the matter of the goats' names, for example."
#
I've done a bit more work on Dead Broke. It's coming along slowly, but at least it's coming along. Part of the problem is there's alway something around here that needs attention be it food, house, husband, or garden. I get up early to get things done and have discovered the earlier I start the less I accomplish.
Despite all that I have written a bit. Here are recent lines:
"Eddie, this is Dr. Phinneas Mossheart. He wants to help. And yes, he does exist."
#
Thanks so much for coming by. I really appreciate your attention.
Twofer Tuesday's are brought to us by the wonderful Women of Mystery.
17 comments:
I think there is a reason most us didn't know there was a sequel to HEIDI and you just explained it.
I'm glad the good doctor is real, and I read years ago that the Heidi sequels were not good, so I never bothered with them.
Names for goats -- well, I can think of a few things my Sweetie used to call the males when they were in rut (I will leave it to your imagination).
Glad to be of service, David.
Messymimi, why thanks. I'm sure those goat names were more than interesting.
Thanks for letting us know about the sequels - I probably won't bother with them, either.
It's sad when a sequel doesn't come close to the original.
Once again I can hardly wait to read 'Dead Broke', I like the way you think.
df Bag Lady, the only way I'd read another of his sequels is if I made it into a drinking game.
Reb, why thank you so much.
I loved the Heidi story and you just explained. Thanks.
Mary
Mary, you're welcome. Them as love Heidi ought to stop with Heidi.
Haven't thought about Heidi for years and years. I might just have to dig it out, again. I will not bother with the sequel...thanks for the heads up. Love the grocery list metaphor!
CherylK, I'm going to have to read Heidi again to cleanse my mind.
Equal Rites is one of the shining stars in the cluttered constellation of the Discworld.
Now, contrary to Heidi, apparently, I found most of the subsequent OZ books by Baum way stranger and more interesting thn The Wizard of..
Hello Clare, I'll have to look into the rest of the Oz books. Thanks for the tip.
Well at least you're writing! I've been in reading mode, as well. Right now a murder mystery. I think I've lost my taste for the yucky visualizations, however. I just ordered three more books to go on the pile, none of which are psychological thrillers.
Nancy, our tastes change. I think it's best to go with it and see what it shows us.
"Dr. Phinneas Mossheart" -- what an utterly delightful name! hehehehe
And oh, how I hear you about so many things to do, and so few hours in which to do them! Summertime is crazy here with the garden and the harvest. It's well-worth it but can be a challenge to fit everything in. I ought to start getting up earlier, too. :)
I love the name you came up with: speaks volumes.
As for Heidi, I loved the book and the movie.
Thomma Lyn, glad you like the name. Yes, it all is worth it. I have to remind myself sometimes when it's too hot to weed, but I appreciate it in the winter.
Barbara Martin, thanks. I recommend you stop with the book and movie.
Post a Comment