Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

By: Kate Douglas Wiggin

Narrated by: Barbara Caruso

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

This unforgettable children’s classic has been captivating children and adults alike for almost a century. Rebecca’s widowed mother has a failing farm, meager resources, and seven children to raise. When her spinster sisters offer Rebecca a home and an education, Mrs. Randall bundles her second eldest into a stagecoach with a kiss and an admonition to stay out of mischief. Could she be asking too much of the free-spirited imp with sparkling eyes and insatiable curiosity?

Kate Douglas Wiggin wrote children’s books to finance the school she started in the slums of San Francisco in 1878. Her first book was published in 1883, and by 1887 she had become a popular success. But the publication of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, in 1903, won her major acclaim both here and in Great Britain.

Public Domain (P)1997 Recorded Books

A Timeless Story

Where does Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This particular audiobook holds a special place in my heart. Barbara Caruso did a wonderful job as narrator. It was my first experience of this classic book and wowed me from start to finish. I can't rank it numerically because it seems all my favorite audiobooks are my absolute favorite - until I think of the next favorite. But this one is truly one of the special books I think everyone would love, if they have a heart at all.

What other book might you compare Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm to and why?

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm reminded me somewhat of Pollyanna - young girl leaving family or orphaned finding a home with crotchety aunt and softening the old maid's heart while growing into a caring, warm hearted young woman.

Which character – as performed by Barbara Caruso – was your favorite?

Rebecca - of course!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I think this is a book best listened to in segments. It is a story of a young girl over time, and to listen all in one sitting would for me, be too compressing of the impression of Rebecca as she grows from child to (young) adult woman.

FABULOUS !!

I had never heard of this book - I was so pleasantly surprised. The story was so wonderful, and so beautifully narrated. This will sure be one of my all time favorites.

Great story! Loved it all!

LOVED Barbara Caruso! Such a great narrator. Story also was very enjoyable. Similar to Anne of Green Gables.

Endings

Be patient. The ending makes it all worth it. And makes one think what simpler times could have been like. At least for me.

Children's Classic

I'd rank this with "Little Women". I'd never read this book and vaguely equated it with "Pollyanna", which I've never read either. Rebecca was published in 1903, Pollyanna in 1913 and they both portray a girl who brings a cheerful positive attitude to the challenges at hand. It was very well written, with good characterizations, and I got a kick out of the poems and stories Rebecca writes because they capture so well the overdramatization that can be typical of that age group.
Good narration. Good length, i.e. the author knew when to quit.

Enjoyable

For me, Anne of Green Gables series is my favorite, then Little Women, then Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. There isn’t as much character development as the other books mentioned.