Probably the novel Jean Webster is best
known for, “Daddy Long Legs” is not only a remarkably astute and
compassionate children’s book, but it is also, on its own, a fine piece
of literature. While quite a popular writer during her life, Jean
Webster has since slipped into obscurity. Even her works, aside from
this one, can hardly be found anywhere except online. Most libraries
don’t have copies of her relatively unknown collection of writing.
“Daddy Long Legs” was written as an
epistolary novel in the form of letters that a young orphaned girl
writes to the mysterious benefactor who anonymously sponsors her
education by sending her away to a girl’s college. Written in 1912,
“Daddy Long Legs” is dessert sweet, full of astonishing depth, and
admirably feministic for its time. Webster infuses her novel with a
witty sense of humor that most modern-day children’s books simply lack.
This is a great book to read. Check her out.
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