Book Review "Daddy-Long-Legs"

"I guess I'll call you Mr. Girl Hater. Only that's a bit insulting to me. Or Mr. Rich Man, but that's an insult to you. But at least you'll stay tall all your life! So I decided to call you Daddy Long Legs. I hope you don't mind."

When I first started reading this book, my first thought was, "Who is Daddy-Long-Legs exactly?" This book really did make one curious about who exactly is Daddy-Long-Legs. "Daddy-Long-Legs" is a 1912 novel by Jean Webster. The novel "Daddy-Long-Legs" that I read is the Gramedia edition, which comprises 200 pages. This classic epistolary novel is perfect for readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery, romance, and heartfelt moments sprinkled with humor.

The protagonist of "Daddy-Long-Legs" is Judy Abbott, an orphan who attends college with the help of an unidentified benefactor. Judy only knows him as Mr. John Smith—or as she calls him, Daddy-Long Legs—because of his tall stature and the mysterious shadow she accidentally sees; she doesn't even know who he really is. Through a series of humorous letters Judy sends to her benefactor, Judy shares her experiences during college, describing her friendships, academic challenges, dreams, and personal growth in return for her benefactor’s kindness.

Judy is a smart, spirited, and funny character. She describes her experiences in an entertaining and lively way that made me as a reader feel close to her. I felt very connected to Judy; her spirit in the face of adversity and her optimism inspired me in many ways. Another thing I liked was that the book was also interspersed with illustrations drawn by Judy, which made me even more interested in following Judy Abbot’s life journey. Then this book is also very enjoyable because the language is light.

Although this book did not receive many awards, its popularity continues to this day. The novel has been adapted into several forms of media, such as film and drama, which proves the appeal of the story. "Daddy-Long-Legs" is truly an inspiring and entertaining read for anyone looking to find courage, love, and self-discovery in a story.

I'm sure you won't get bored reading this book because, besides being entertaining, this book is also inspiring.

-Rizki Hidayah-