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Heidi  By  cover art

Heidi

By: Johanna Spyri
Narrated by: Marnie MacAdam
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Publisher's summary

In this treasured story, the orphan child, Heidi, is sent to live with her embittered grandfather high in the Swiss Alps. Heidi's innocent joy of life and genuine concern and love for all living things become the old man's salvation.

From the goatherder Peter and his family to the sickly girl Clara and her desperate father, Heidi's special charm enriches everyone she meets. Unselfish to the core, Heidi's goodness overcomes all obstacles - even those seemingly insurmountable.

Remembered and loved as a child's story, Heidi remains a testimony of redemption and salvation for all ages. Uplifting and enjoyable, Heidi makes superior family listening.

Public Domain (P)2006 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

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What listeners say about Heidi

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Auditory quality not acceptable

Any additional comments?

This is a book I thought I knew, having been as a child exposed to the story more than once. Rereading it as an adult, expecting only to indulge my nostalgia, I was surprised by the richness of the description, the complexity of the characters, and interest of a good story well told. The book is well narrated -- good pace, good voice characterization for each of the characters. Unfortunately, the quality of the recording is very poor. For this reason alone I would never recommend it. I hope Audible reexamines and finds a way to salvage this otherwise excellent recording of a fine classic.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Minnesota accent for Swedish story.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I really wanted to not mind the narration because this is my favourite translation of the book (vastly better than the other), but wow, she really is unusual. The narrator not only has a strong Minnesotan accent, but she made all the characters really excited all the time, and--most offensively--does the voices like characters out of Scooby-Doo. Seriously, I kept picturing the ordinarily respectable characters sounding like caricatures.

Any additional comments?

It's an lovely book. Sweet, calm and happy.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Overly dramatic reading

What disappointed you about Heidi?

I love this story.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The reader has ruined this classic tale by over dramatizing all the characters. It's to the point of distraction. My 9 year old, who loves books on tape, doesnt want to listen to Heidi because of the reading treatment.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I Waited Too Long to Read This

This is one of the few times where I liked the movie better than the book. Not that the book was bad. I just didn't catch the vision of it. Perhaps I should have read it as a young person. I would probably have appreciated it more than I do now. I did get to see the movie with the irrepressible Shirley Temple multiple times as a child (we didn't have the capability of seeing a movie any time we wanted back then - had to wait until it came on TV, perhaps once every other year). I had a hard time believing in the deep relationship between Heidi and the Grandfather in the book, whereas the movie made it easy to see through him and into his heart. Just my observations. But I definitely think it is worth reading, especially if you are a youngster.

As this book has been recorded by multiple narrators, i was careful to choose the one I thought was best. I thoroughly enjoyed Marnie MacAdam's narration. It was natural and engaging. Some of the others I listened to had annoying pronunciations that I could never have listened to over a long period of time. I'm glad I chose her.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, needs better recording!

I enjoyed the story however the recording seemed poor, whereas the reader being difficult to understand.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It's a religious children's book

There are two things I feel important to note to future listeners.

The narrator, while usually lovely and pleasant to listen to, has a couple character voices that are almost unbearable: Fraulein R and the Tutor. The Fraulein is rife with hysterics that sometimes render her words indiscernible. The tutor probably captures his personality well, but I want to strangle him to make him shut up. I am grateful whenever another character interrupts him. There are several other dramatically acted voices, but these two made me need to skip forward in the audiobook. Luckily, it appears that these two minor characters are the only ones over the top.

Additionally, this is an old time children’s story, which means that it is filled with quite a few mini sermons. Like a good christian girl, Heidi repeats them to her elders who are struggling. It is filled with a religious answer to suffering, death, anger with god, and what to do when you are in a situation that is not what you want or need. It's uber Christian. I remembered this story being more about the healing nature of the mountains and fresh air but those are minor in comparison to prayer and god having a better plan. If you like the religious themes, lock on. If they frustrate you, you might want to just watch one of the movies.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story I loved in childhood

I read it many times as a child and wanted to read it again. it is even more wonderful than I remembered. The only bit if downside was the narrator's voice for the housekeeper. I struggled listening to her. Otherwise, she did a fabulous job. I'm sure I'll listen to this again.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Shrill narrator

The story of Heidi is good, but we did not enjoy this narrator. She uses a really high-pitched voice for Heidi, who obviously talks a lot, and is shrill in many places. It was an unpleasant listening experience.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • DK
  • 11-12-20

Pretty nice

I thought this book was narrated by a odd voice, but the book is good. So, most of it is chill. Some is exciting, or happy. 🐐🐏👧🏼

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful classic from childhood

One of my favorites growing up. The story of a little girl who goes to live with her ornery grandfather and her adventures in the Alps. Highly recommend.

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