Heidi by Joanna Spyri

This is the version I want for my bookshelf. A touch of modern  chic, but with vintage illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith

Heidi is one of those children's classics which I recall reading and loving as a child - some abridged version though. More recently, I am rediscovering the joy of these classics in the full glory of their unabridged versions. Before I tapped 'play' on my Overdrive copy of Heidi a few days ago, I could recall almost nothing of its plot. I only knew that it was about a girl, Heidi, another crippled girl, Clara, a nighttime incident involving a 'ghost', and that it was set in the Swiss alps. As the story unfolded before my ears, though, the forgotten pieces of the plot formed themselves nicely in my mind's eye again - much to my delight! 

I remember now loving the story as a little girl - for lovely Heidi, her friendship with Peter and Clara, and for the faraway, idyllic setting. It was highly likely the very place where I first got introduced to the German city, Frankfurt. I remember quite vividly the scene involving the 'ghost' - though I could not quite recall who the ghost was! It was only as a heard the ending of the story that I could remember the whole incident regarding the broken wheelchair and Clara's recovery. Beyond the plot details, I remembered most of all how fond I was of the story, which was one of my most-loved books at a time. 

Re-reading Heidi now, with my growing-up years, literature major and Reading Education masters behind me, though, I see with renewed reading vision. This is what I saw: 

The Grandfather Motif  

Perhaps it is the fact that I am an older mum, with a now infant daughter, that I noticed this - here was a young orphaned child (Heidi was five when we were first introduced to her), entrusted to the care of her elderly grandfather, who ends up being the perfect father-figure. Perhaps most would immediately picture an 'ideal family' as being one with mother, father, and children? Though not blessed with this, we get the sense that what Heidi receives leaves her with no lack - friends closer than brothers and sisters, fathers and grandfathers, and grandmothers. She is even promised an inheritance at the close of the story.

Lived-out Adoption  

Adoption can be complicated nowadays with document-gathering, legal processes and bureaucracy, and issues such as of disclosure of non-disclosure, open or closed adoption. It seems that there is so much to consider - almost an obstacle relay to be completed. What a reprieve we get from all of this in stories such as Heidi! Little Heidi was thrust upon Uncle Alp, as it were, without the opportunity of a choice being given him. Though not having had a moment for preparation, he provides beautifully for Heidi - acceptance, care, grandfatherly wisdom, double portions of steaming milk, bread and toasted cheese, a three-legged stool, and a hay-loft bed. What a heartwarming picture of lived-out adoption!  

Simplicity 

My heart squeals with delight at the prospect of a hay-loft bed with a window overseeing the valley, bread with melted swiss cheese and warm, freshly squeezed goat's milk for meals, and the flower-dusted meadows to run explore day after day. I'm quite sure that this delights many others too! It seems that there is now longing among modern folk to return to these simple things - is that not why we are so attracted to the Danish concept of Hygge? Re-reading Heidi was a much-needed tug-of-the-heart - what's simple is best. 

Mountain Vision  

I suppose this is a common metaphor - that just as the mountain air is crisper and clearer, so is our vision? The villagers in the valley are portrayed as blind in their vision - going about in a fog of misconception. High above, Uncle Alp is the one whose words of wisdom we remember. It is high up in the mountains, and Uncle Alp, who finally nurses Clara to her recovery. Sure, there is the rest of Switzerland to discover (and we do see Clara anticipating that greatly), but it is at Uncle Alp's that healing takes place. 

And most of all,

Second Chances and Redemption 

Beyond all this, I saw the gospel in Heidi. This was the story of a girl, abandoned by the 'world', but received providentially by her grandfather. With his care, she grows to become a confident child, full of empathy and joy. Out of the overflow of Heidi's heart, she brings joy and hope to those who are sick and downcast. Heidi may seem too perfect a child to be credible, but this overflow is not always from a place of strength. In fact, it is Heidi's own suffering - her homesickness for the alps - that caused her to describe her life there incessantly to Clara, and which eventually brought Clara there for a visit. It is not the only instance in the book where one's brokenness leads to blessing for another. We find out that it was because of his experience nursing his wounded commander, that enabled Uncle Alp to care for Clara as skilfully as he did. There were so many who had second chances in the story - orphaned Heidi with her new life with Uncle Alp, Uncle Alp with his new life with Heidi, Clara with her recovery, her father's new life with Clara, Grandmother with her new bed, the doctor with his new life at Dorfli, and Peter - recipient of mercy and grace for the rest of his life. Through their relationships with one another, no one remains unchanged. 

Heidi reminds me of the story of Ruth in the Bible - where little overt mention is made of God - but where His name is heard in more than the faintest of whispers even when it is not spoken.

I love this illustration by William Sharp (source here) for the coziness, dreaminess, and hope evoked, the juxtaposition of the starlit and lamplit rooms and most of all for the presentation of Uncle Alp's watchfulness