Initial Reception
When it was published in 1912, Jean Webster’s Daddy-Long-Legs was an almost-instant success. The New York Times Review of Books deemed it “a whimsical wisp” and praised its “delightful sense of drollery” (Latest). Much of the praise was directed specifically to the author, who impressed critics with her light touch in a difficult format --- an epistolary novel. One raved, “Miss Webster has done a rather difficult thing very cleverly indeed. Skill, a delicate touch, and a strong and clear conception of character were necessary in order to make these bubbling letters tell their story of the development of a lonely child into a strong and lovable woman. The grotesquely humorous illustrations by the author add to the book’s charm” (Latest). Critics also remarked on Webster’s humor and “instinct of salient, delicious character” (Daddy).
Lingering Success
By the time the first film version of Daddy-Long-Legs opened in 1919, its status as a beloved children’s novel was already assumed to such an extent that publicity for the movie relied on that reputation. A 1919 New York Times column on new movies begins by stating, “Jean Webster’s familiar and widely loved ‘Daddy Long Legs’ has come to the screen to give Mary Pickford one of the best parts she had had for a long time” (The Screen). Some of the universal fondness for the story in the decade or so following the book’s publication comes from nostalgia for the seemingly innocent time before World War I. A few reviews explicitly state this. When the play adaptation was revived in 1918, just four years after its initial production, one reviewer speculated, “Perhaps the war has been kind to the little play --- or rather the peace; for the public of late has apparently been suffering a reaction from high endeavor, in which the things of every day seem somehow flat and stale, and graceful romance proportionately welcome” (Daddy). Indeed, most reviews remark on the book’s “sentimental” qualities and either praise the story on that basis (as in the previous quote), or state that the writing overcomes the sentimentality.
Within a decade, Daddy-Long-Legs was widely acknowledged as a “modern classic” and advertisements for other children’s books sought to cash in on that popularity. One ad declared that a book was “Better than ‘Daddy Long Legs’” and another claimed that the new book Slippy McGee “has the same kind of charm that made ‘Daddy Long-Legs’ famous” [see below] (Displays Ads 297 and 298).
Within a decade, Daddy-Long-Legs was widely acknowledged as a “modern classic” and advertisements for other children’s books sought to cash in on that popularity. One ad declared that a book was “Better than ‘Daddy Long Legs’” and another claimed that the new book Slippy McGee “has the same kind of charm that made ‘Daddy Long-Legs’ famous” [see below] (Displays Ads 297 and 298).
Fifty Years Later and More
In the one hundred years since its publication, Daddy-Long-Legs has remained a favorite, although the reasons for its appeal have changed. A 1967 review cites “orphanphilia” as a strong appeal for both adults and children. The column goes on to compare Webster’s book with those of Noel Streatfeild and Charles Dickens. This reviewer, Gillian Freeman, advises readers to “forget the movie” and focus instead on the social commentary, stating her belief that “Daddy Longlegs is not really a children’s book, yet I am certain that girls of 10 upwards would enjoy it” (Freeman). Over the past few decades, other writers have also examined Daddy-Long-Legs from a critical adult perspective and noted the book’s progressive stance. In a 1980 article on the attitude toward the patriarchy in several children’s classics, one writer points to Webster’s book as an example of “fiction-for-girls [that] subtly acknowledged with propitiatory ploys the denial of its right to exist” (Glastonbury). The heroine, Judy Abbott, is also seen retroactively as an embodiment of what some progressives at the turn of the 20th saw as the ideal woman for the new century --- "one that was expected to revitalize the jaded world of learning, religion, and ethics." (Alkalay-Gut 73).
Recent reviews of the book generally praise its humor and the fact that it “continues to be relevant to young women today” (Hudak). Interestingly, though perhaps not surprisingly, the recommended reading age for the book has varied significantly. The variance doesn’t seem to follow a particular pattern, as there are differences within publications and no clear trend of an older reading age over time (which could be logical, given that the language of 1912 will become less and less familiar to young readers). Although the publisher currently recommends the books for “Ages 8 to 12,” most critics seem to think that skews too young. Current reviews usually direct the book to readers “10 years and older,” or even “grade 9 and up.”
Recent reviews of the book generally praise its humor and the fact that it “continues to be relevant to young women today” (Hudak). Interestingly, though perhaps not surprisingly, the recommended reading age for the book has varied significantly. The variance doesn’t seem to follow a particular pattern, as there are differences within publications and no clear trend of an older reading age over time (which could be logical, given that the language of 1912 will become less and less familiar to young readers). Although the publisher currently recommends the books for “Ages 8 to 12,” most critics seem to think that skews too young. Current reviews usually direct the book to readers “10 years and older,” or even “grade 9 and up.”
Reviews
"Among the Authors." New York Times (1857-1922): 15 Jun 1913. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Attebury, Nancy Garhan. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2011. Literature Criticism Online.
Christopher, Matt. "Daddy-Long-Legs." Commonweal. 20 Nov 1970. p. 200. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Book World. 17 March 1968. p. 12. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Books for Keeps. March 1995. p. 23. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Children's Literature in Education. Winter 1987. Vol. 18: p. 228. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Grade Teacher. April 1971. p. 88. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Journal of American Culture. Winter 1993. Vol. 16: p. 91. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Library Review. Winter 1966. p. 568. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." The Women's Review of Books. July 1993. Vol. 10: p. 23. Book Review Index Online.
"'Daddy Long Legs' Is Back again." New York Times (1857-1922): 13. Nov 18 1918. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Freeman, Gillian. “Orphan-Appeal.” New Statesman. 3 November 1967. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Glastonbury, Marion. “Patriarchal Attitudes: The ‘Classics.’” New Statesman. 14 November 1980. p. 17. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Hudak, Tina. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” School Library Journal. 1 May 2001. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Jordan, Frazier. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2002. Literature Criticism Online.
"Latest Novels." New York Times (1857-1922): 20 Oct 1912. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Attebury, Nancy Garhan. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2011. Literature Criticism Online.
Christopher, Matt. "Daddy-Long-Legs." Commonweal. 20 Nov 1970. p. 200. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Book World. 17 March 1968. p. 12. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Books for Keeps. March 1995. p. 23. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Children's Literature in Education. Winter 1987. Vol. 18: p. 228. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Grade Teacher. April 1971. p. 88. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Journal of American Culture. Winter 1993. Vol. 16: p. 91. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." Library Review. Winter 1966. p. 568. Book Review Index Online.
"Daddy-Long-Legs." The Women's Review of Books. July 1993. Vol. 10: p. 23. Book Review Index Online.
"'Daddy Long Legs' Is Back again." New York Times (1857-1922): 13. Nov 18 1918. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Freeman, Gillian. “Orphan-Appeal.” New Statesman. 3 November 1967. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Glastonbury, Marion. “Patriarchal Attitudes: The ‘Classics.’” New Statesman. 14 November 1980. p. 17. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Hudak, Tina. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” School Library Journal. 1 May 2001. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Jordan, Frazier. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2002. Literature Criticism Online.
"Latest Novels." New York Times (1857-1922): 20 Oct 1912. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
References
[Web sources current as of 12/9/12.]
Alkalay-Gut, Karen. Alone in the Dawn: The Life of Adelaide Crapsey. London: The University of Georgia Press.
"Among the Authors." New York Times (1857-1922): 15 Jun 1913. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Attebury, Nancy Garhan. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2011. Literature Criticism Online.
"'Daddy Long Legs' Is Back again." New York Times (1857-1922): 13. Nov 18 1918. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
"Display Ad 297 -- no Title." New York Times (1857-1922): 80. Nov 21 1920. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
"Display Ad 298 -- no Title." New York Times (1857-1922): 1. Apr 18 1920. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Freeman, Gillian. “Orphan-Appeal.” New Statesman. 3 November 1967. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Glastonbury, Marion. “Patriarchal Attitudes: The ‘Classics.’” New Statesman. 14 November 1980. p. 17. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Hudak, Tina. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” School Library Journal. 1 May 2001. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Jordan, Frazier. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2002. Literature Criticism Online.
"Latest Novels." New York Times (1857-1922): 20 Oct 1912. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
"The Screen." New York Times (1857-1922): 11. May 12 1919. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Alkalay-Gut, Karen. Alone in the Dawn: The Life of Adelaide Crapsey. London: The University of Georgia Press.
"Among the Authors." New York Times (1857-1922): 15 Jun 1913. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Attebury, Nancy Garhan. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2011. Literature Criticism Online.
"'Daddy Long Legs' Is Back again." New York Times (1857-1922): 13. Nov 18 1918. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
"Display Ad 297 -- no Title." New York Times (1857-1922): 80. Nov 21 1920. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
"Display Ad 298 -- no Title." New York Times (1857-1922): 1. Apr 18 1920. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
Freeman, Gillian. “Orphan-Appeal.” New Statesman. 3 November 1967. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Glastonbury, Marion. “Patriarchal Attitudes: The ‘Classics.’” New Statesman. 14 November 1980. p. 17. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Hudak, Tina. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” School Library Journal. 1 May 2001. ProQuest: Periodicals Archive Online.
Jordan, Frazier. “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Children’s Literature. 2002. Literature Criticism Online.
"Latest Novels." New York Times (1857-1922): 20 Oct 1912. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).
"The Screen." New York Times (1857-1922): 11. May 12 1919. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008) with Index (1851-1993).