What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wide Wide World, Volume 1
In this endearing novel, little Ellen Montgomery, upon separation from her mother, faces times of unrelenting affliction and heartsickness. But amidst her many disappointments and fears, Ellen is pleasantly reminded of the One who has charge over her. This is the very book that "Jo" of Little Women was crying over! The Wide, Wide, World was the first book by an American author to sell one million copies.
298 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2015
2 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Susan Bogert Warner
114 books24 followersBorn in 1819 in New York City, American novelist and children's author Susan Bogert Warner was the daughter of lawyer Henry Warner, and his wife, Anna Bartlett. Her early life was one of wealth and privilege, until her father lost his money in the Panic of 1837, and the family were forced to sell their home in St. Mark's Place (NYC), and move to a farmhouse they owned on Constitution Island, near West Point, NY.
Warner and her sister, Anna Bartlett Warner (author of the well-known children's hymn, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know), began writing in 1849, in order to improve their family's financial situation. Their work, for both children and adults, was largely evangelical. Susan Bogert Warner is primarily remembered for her debut novel, The Wide, Wide World (1850), although she wrote close to thirty additional titles, all under the pseudonym 'Elizabeth Wetherell."
Warner and her sister, Anna Bartlett Warner (author of the well-known children's hymn, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know), began writing in 1849, in order to improve their family's financial situation. Their work, for both children and adults, was largely evangelical. Susan Bogert Warner is primarily remembered for her debut novel, The Wide, Wide World (1850), although she wrote close to thirty additional titles, all under the pseudonym 'Elizabeth Wetherell."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 6, 2016
I first found this book in my high school library in the 70's. It had not been checked out since 1955.
I've read it a few times since then, and it really holds up. By that I mean my reaction and enjoyment remains the same. I enjoy the book as an idealized 19th century view of life which is entirely foreign to modern sensibilities. Of course, it is an idealized evangelical Christian and Victorian way of life.
The story is entirely humorless, although the characters are generally cheerful, but serious minded. There is a constant message of submission to God's will, and to one's duty, for both sexes. Of course, women must also submit to the elder male relatives. In a time of uncertainty and high mortality, it is understandable that people would beleive every hardship and heartbreak is God's will. You just need to understand the Christian sensibility of those times. Male authority was also a given for the times. Reader, don't let it annoy your modern sensibilities, just go with it and see how Ellen, through submission to God's will, submission to duty, struggle and self control, disciplines herself and becomes a better person through love of our Savior.
What always had me rolling my eyes about the protagonist Ellen, is that she cries all the time. Whether the tears are merely hovering on her lashes, brimming over while sitting on someone's lap, or flinging her arms around someone, or sobbing into the sofa cushions. Happy or sad, it is her default reaction to most events.
There are also descriptions of everyday life and objects circa 1850's which illustrate the hard work of everyday living: skimming milk, churning butter, cheesemaking, cooking on open hearths instead of on stoves.
Highly recommended as an idealized 19th century view of how we should live. Not that they managed to accomplish the ideal then, any better than now.
I've read it a few times since then, and it really holds up. By that I mean my reaction and enjoyment remains the same. I enjoy the book as an idealized 19th century view of life which is entirely foreign to modern sensibilities. Of course, it is an idealized evangelical Christian and Victorian way of life.
The story is entirely humorless, although the characters are generally cheerful, but serious minded. There is a constant message of submission to God's will, and to one's duty, for both sexes. Of course, women must also submit to the elder male relatives. In a time of uncertainty and high mortality, it is understandable that people would beleive every hardship and heartbreak is God's will. You just need to understand the Christian sensibility of those times. Male authority was also a given for the times. Reader, don't let it annoy your modern sensibilities, just go with it and see how Ellen, through submission to God's will, submission to duty, struggle and self control, disciplines herself and becomes a better person through love of our Savior.
What always had me rolling my eyes about the protagonist Ellen, is that she cries all the time. Whether the tears are merely hovering on her lashes, brimming over while sitting on someone's lap, or flinging her arms around someone, or sobbing into the sofa cushions. Happy or sad, it is her default reaction to most events.
There are also descriptions of everyday life and objects circa 1850's which illustrate the hard work of everyday living: skimming milk, churning butter, cheesemaking, cooking on open hearths instead of on stoves.
Highly recommended as an idealized 19th century view of how we should live. Not that they managed to accomplish the ideal then, any better than now.
January 11, 2011
I read this to my children, and though it was long, it was worth it. There are so many opportunities to teach lessons throughout. It is hard to find worthwhile literature. This is definitely recommended.
October 5, 2012
Lovely story of a little girl, who, bereft of her sickly mother, is tossed and turned by her emotions and selfishness. During the difficult times of separation, God brings both joys and trials into her life to draw her to himself. We see her growing slowing into her relationship with God and man.
January 29, 2012
I read this book when I was 14 years old. I was introduced to them by the Elsie Dinsmore series. Elsie reads this book and it's sequel and enjoys them. Interestingly enough I found I enjoyed this book far better than I enjoyed the Elsie Dinsmore books.
I did not listen to this book, however it was read for LibriVox by Bridget Gaige here: http://librivox.org/the-wide-wide-wor... I have listened to another book by Bridget and she is a good reader.
I did not listen to this book, however it was read for LibriVox by Bridget Gaige here: http://librivox.org/the-wide-wide-wor... I have listened to another book by Bridget and she is a good reader.
December 19, 2025
Great book! Lamplighter sells both volumes in one book! I was so excited when I found this book! I would definitely recommend it to anyone! It is such an amazing book about a girl on a journey to find a family and Christ.
October 30, 2009
Really good, so far!!!!!!
January 12, 2011
VERY good. My mom read it to me and my siblings.
November 17, 2022
I have struggled with the plot, literary choices, and melodrama of this book. I think the premise is fair, even though it's pretty much always brought to our memory as the main character can never stop sulking about her mother even for a second, but there is no way I will ever finish this. It's harder to comprehend than Little Women. Not that I don't like Little Women. But if you find that at least a bit difficult to read, this is extremely over the top and also seemed to have a slow pace, at least to me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews