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Aug 21, 2011

Cheryl in CC NV rated it:

I just can't get past the sexism, the ignorance, the self-centeredness. Really, if Betsy and Tib couldn't have a career for a few years before marriage, how did any woman break free? If all she can think about is how white her apron is after spending all day for months trying to learn to cook, well, maybe she isn't sufficiently informed to have the vote. She's a born writer - why is she fretting to have a baby?

I think the angriest I got was when she took so poorly to the idea of J More...

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Jan 01, 2011

Megan rated it:

This was another nostalgia Christmas gift, this time from my sister. As it is two books I suppose she deserves two reviews.

Betsy and the Great World:

I am embarrased to admit how little of this book I actually read when I was a kid. Much of it seemed new to me. I was delighted with Betsy's choice to undo a little of the damage from college life without her dearest Joe by traveling. Her time in Germany, Paris, London and Venice fill her heart and head with new ideas and challen More...

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Jan 22, 2010

Emily rated it:

I didn't know about the Betsy-Tacy series as a child, but I'm so glad to have found it as an adult. In the past 3 years or so, I read as far as I could in the series, but my progress was stalled for a while when it went out of print. This series seems to go out of print every 5 years or so, unfortunately, especially the last 4 books, about Betsy in High school and as a young adult. But enough people appreciate this series, that when it's out of print, the prices on used copies are prohibitive More...

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Aug 29, 2010

☛Posie♥ rated it:

First off: I am a huge Betsy-Tacy fan. Starting when I was little, I loved reading about Betsy and Tacy's adventures; they're friendships and troubles, and picnics up on the Big Hill. And as they got older, first crushes and parties, and family happenings. And all of this took place back in the early 1900s', which delighted me (and still does). It was wonderful.

In this two-books-in-one, the first book is Betsy and the Great World. This was one of my very favorite Betsy-Tacy books, beca More...

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Mar 05, 2010

Erin rated it:

Okay - I'm breaking my pledge to review each book individually in favor of writing a single review of this complete series.

The Betsy-Tacy books revolve around the life, family, and friends of Betsy Ray. When we first meet Betsy, she is five years old, and living in a small town in Minnesota in the early 1900's. Each book in the series is written to the level of Betsy's age in the book, starting with elementary school and taking us through to young adulthood, and eventually marriage More...

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Mar 31, 2010

Mary rated it:

These two books are the last in a series that follows Betsy Ray and her best friend Tacy from their childhood in the early 1900s to early adulthood and the start of World War I. In the Great World, Betsy takes a solo tour of Europe, learning much about herself, the world and love. In Betsy’s Wedding, she grows as a woman, a wife and a professional writer. I was intrigued that one of my favorite writers, Anna Quindlen, had written a forward to this edition, and that’s why I read it. I would lo More...

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Aug 24, 2011

Jeri rated it:

Oh to live in simpler times.....and I loved that "going abroad" was something they did back then--and not just for a couple of weeks but for a year! It was fun to read about her travels in Germany especially, having just visited! I didn't get hung up on the cliches, the outdated thinking or the old-fashioned ways--I simply enjoyed the story of Betsy and her life. In Betsy's Wedding, it was charming to read about her attempts at making a home as a newlywed. I wish I had disovered thi More...

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Jan 08, 2012

Margarita rated it:

It probably wasn't the smartest idea to pick the last book of this lovely series to review. I didn't actually think of that before just now, so oh well. Anyway, I'm going to focus on the writing and not give too many details on the plot, although if you haven't read these books, you should turn off your computer or addictive device with a shiny screen and do so. Seriously.

Betsy, who starts out as a charming, giggly five-year-old, is now a charming, giggly twenty-one-year-old, who is More...

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Nov 04, 2010

Hannah rated it:

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!

Maud Hart Lovelace is such an amazing author! I felt like I was right there alongside Betsy as she travelled all over Europe in Betsy and the Great World. The word pictures Maud paints are unbelieveable!! I love how she and Joe get back together again in the end. It's marvellous! Not to mention sweet. I mean a newspaper ad?! How cool is that?!

In Betsy's Wedding, I nearly fell in love with Joe just like Betsy did! Why glory be, they make the most More...

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Feb 26, 2010

Teri rated it:

Both books were five stars for me. A little different tone than the high school books. In "Betsy and the Great World" Betsy is 21 yrs old. The time period is right before WW 1 and as the book progresses the Great War is upon Europe. Interesting perspective of the War and Europe in general.

Loved "Betsy's Wedding." Fun to see Betsy as a young married woman. Love the writing of Maud Hart Lovelace and the wisdom that can be found throughout the series. The last few More...

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Mar 04, 2010

Candi rated it:

What a great book!
I can't say enough good about these books and this one may be my favorite. In the Betsy and the Great World even though it seemed like at the end of the last book Betsy was all but married she manages to go have this great adventure. I want to go everywhere she went.
Betsy's Wedding is just the best thing I have ever read. Nearly every book I know always ends with the wedding, like that is the end of life or living or questions or trials or love. I love that th More...

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Sep 27, 2009

CLM rated it:

Growing up, Betsy and the Great World was my least favorite because it took Betsy away from Deep Valley. Perhaps now that I am grown up and have traveled to some of these places myself, I have a deep and abiding appreciation for it. My only criticism is that I wish there were more description of her time in London and less of Germany! Of course, the last chapter is the best of all!

6 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 04, 2010

Natalie rated it:

I'm not sure why I only gave this 4 stars instead of 5 because it probably deserves all 5. The thing is, its the end and I feel sad so I just couldn't give it all 5. Also, the Great War is still raging at the end which I found a little disturbing. Otherwise this book is pure genius just like all the others. I'll miss Betsy. And I'll miss Joe too...but not his mustache.

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May 22, 2011

Erin rated it:

I read and adored all the Betsy-Tacy books as a kid, and I've reread them occasionally since.

I was browsing the shelves at my local about-to-close Borders the other day and discovered three volumes of these new editions -- which works out to six Betsy-Tacy books -- plus three Deep Valley books I'd never read before! All for 70% off! I was ecstatic. Genuinely ecstatic. Best find EVER.

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Sep 12, 2011

Cindy rated it:

Still my favorite series of children's and juvie books ever. I re-read them evey year or so, all ten of them. So satisfying and wonderful.

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Dec 01, 2010

Book Club Girl rated it:

Betsy travels in Europe prior to the outbreak of WWI before returning home to marry her high school sweetheart Joe.

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Nov 27, 2011

Luisa rated it:

I've loved all of the Betsy-Tacy books, but these two might have been my favorite, since they most closely mirror my current life situation (minus the wedding, of course!) As I'm returning to the US after living abroad for a year, I've had some difficulty adjusting to certain things that used to be normal for me, so it was great to live vicariously through Betsy as she lived in Europe for about a year. In Betsy's wedding, it's fun to read about her setting up house for her and Joe. The only d More...

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Feb 17, 2011

Julie rated it:

These were favorite childhood books for me.

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Dec 11, 2009

Glorious.Clio rated it:

A beautiful new edition!! I adore it.

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Jan 07, 2010

Adrienne rated it:

This combination book was a great ending to a wonderful series. I hated to have it end. I loved getting to know all of the characters and read the author's observations and descriptions about people and the world around her. It also is fascinating to read the information at the end of the book about how much of the book was based on the author's real life.

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May 22, 2011

laaaaames rated it:

Basically the perfect ending to the series. I adore these books.

(read: 37 and 38)

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Aug 24, 2010

Susan rated it:

This story was very fun to read.

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Jul 07, 2011

Jenn rated it:

i put off finishing this for a long time, because i didn't want my betsy-tacy experience to be over. last night i couldn't resist, however. i think this is probably my favorite of the series. i loved betsy's adventures in europe and her early life as a bride. i wish that not quite so much of "betsy's wedding" had been concerned with scoring a man for tib, but it's a minor quibble. mostly, it's just love.

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Mar 03, 2010

Sally rated it:

I really enjoyed this series. It was heart-warming and filled with traditions and snippets of wisdom.

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Jul 02, 2011

Krista rated it:

I'm working my way through the Betsy-Tacy series. I have to say that Betsy and the Great World has been my least favorite, though I'm not sure why. Currently I'm reading Betsy's Wedding and loving it as much as the previous ones in the series.

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Jul 15, 2011

Michelle rated it:

I love these books. They're very sweet and old-fashioned, a glimpse into a long-gone world.

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Mar 13, 2010

Kelly rated it:

I am so sad that I have now read all the Betsy-Tacy books. They are such treasures!

7 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 30, 2011

Annabelle Marie Veronica rated it:

I loved, loved, loved this!!! It was amazing!!

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Feb 11, 2012

Laura added it

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Feb 10, 2012

Saraelysse rated it:

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