Up a Road Slowly

By: Irene Hunt

Narrated by: Jaselyn Blanchard

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Newbery Medal Winner, 1967

Julie would remember her happy days at Aunt Cordelia’s forever. Running through the spacious rooms, singing on rainy nights in front of the blazing fireplace. There were rides in the woods on Peter the Great, the races with Danny Trevort. Maybe best of all were the precious moments alone in her room at night, gazing at the sea of stars. But there was sadness too - the painful jealousy Julie felt after her sister got married, the tragic death of a schoolmate, and the bitter disappointment of her first love. Sometimes it all seemed like too much to handle. Julie was having a hard time believing life was fair. But she would have to be fair to herself before she could even think about new beginnings....

©Edna St. Vincent Millay's poems "Renascence" and "God's World" are from Collected Poems, Harper & Row. Copyright © 1912, 1913, 1940, 1948 by Edna St. Vincent Millay. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of Norma Millay Ellis. "I Shall Not Care" is from Collected Poems by Sara Teasdale, Macmillan. Copyright © 1915. All rights reserved. Copyright renewed 1934 by Mamie Wheless; used by permission of the publisher. Up a Road Slowly copyright © 1966 by Irene Hunt. All rights reserved. (P)2011 AudioGo

Coming of age in mid century

This was MY coming of age story. I first read it when I was in my early teens. I saw it on Audible and wanted to revisit it. I remembered why it spoke to me back in the 70's. Its well written and portrays a world in which good things happen to good people who are nice. When I first read it, things like recovering form one's first heartbreak felt real and poignant. But this is dated. Women are only "complete when they fall in love with a man". A girl who is labeled "headstrong" and "outspoken" is considered "difficult". The prose is a bit heavy and ponderous at times. All that being said I loved revisiting it. I enjoyed the story of Julie growing up with her aunt after her mother died. Of Julie finding her voice without breaking her spirit. I enjoyed the country setting and many of the old fashioned values like being polite and having good manners. I doubt it would speak to many teens growing up today, but this will remain a lovely and important book for me.

HOORAY! A ‘spoken’ version ....

I was THRILLED to find a ‘spoken’ version of my all-time favorite book ... I still have my HS copy from almost 40 years ago (yellowed pages, well-worn & dog-eared). Even at 51 y/o, the story still resonates with me.

5 stars, except 4 for performance, as I wasn’t too sure of Ms. Blanchard’s voice. I didn’t ‘not’ like it, but in MY mind I hear a different, more mature voice. But not ‘so’ mature, that you can tell it’s a 40 y/o vs. a young 20 y/o, as Julia’s age (by books end) should be.

Beautiful Coming of Age Story

I love this book in a way too deep to explain. I have lost count of the number of times I’ve read it. I’ve read it so many times that as I listened to the narrator delivering the lines, several times I thought, “I’ve always said that differently in my mind.”

The narrator wasn’t the voice I’ve always imagined, but I genuinely appreciated her time and attention to bringing these characters to life.

It’s a beautiful story. I hope many people give it a try. This book deserves to be remembered.

Charming Story of Julie

When Julie was seven years old, her mother passed away and she was sent (with her brother) to live with their aunt. The book follows the life of Julie from then until she graduates high school at 17. Through the years, she learns about loss, friendship, change, growing up, and love. It is a charming story that is sure to capture your heart.

The story is well written and though it is somewhat short, it is told with enough detail to draw you in. I felt as though I was able to get to know the characters and connect with them.

The reason I gave it only 4 stars is because it was all very reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables. There were many parallels and though I loved the story, I wished it held it's own a little more.