Understood Betsy
Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Read by Lee Ann Howlett
Understood Betsy is a 1916 novel for children by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The story tells of Elizabeth Ann, a 9-year-old orphan who goes from a sheltered existence with her father's aunt Harriet and cousin Frances in the city, to living on a Vermont farm with her mother's family, the Putneys, whose child-rearing practices had always seemed suspect to Harriet and her daughter. In her new rural life, Elizabeth Ann comes to be nicknamed "Betsy," and to find that many activities that Frances had always thought too demanding for a little girl are considered, by the Putney family, ordinary expectations for a child: walking to school alone, cooking, and having household duties to perform.
The child thrives in her new environment, learning to make butter, boil maple syrup, and tend the animals. When Frances announces she is to be married and has come to "save" Elizabeth Ann from the dreaded Putney cousins, she is amazed to discover that the little girl is quite content to stay. The story ends after Frances has returned home, with Betsy, her aunt Abigail, uncle Henry, and cousin Ann sitting quietly and happily around the fireplace enjoying the knowledge they will now be a family for good. (Summary from Wikipedia) (4 hr 36 min)
Chapters
01 - Aunt Harriet Has a Cough | 26:38 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
02 - Betsy Holds the Reins | 25:26 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
03 - A Short Morning | 22:36 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
04 - Betsy Goes to School | 15:56 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
05 - What Grade is Betsy? | 20:51 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
06 - If You Don't Like Conversation in a Book Skip this Chapter! | 26:13 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
07 - Elizabeth Ann Fails in an Examination | 24:41 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
08 - Betsy Starts a Sewing Society | 25:34 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
09 - The New Clothes Fail | 16:12 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
10 - Betsy Has a Birthday | 33:12 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
11 - "Understood Aunt Frances" | 38:43 | Read by Lee Ann Howlett |
Reviews
Hated to see story end
Karebil
Excellent reader and good storyline. Easy to get involved in characters lives.
So Enjoyable!
Catherine van Kampen
My nine year old daughter and I listened to this together and we loved it. If you are a fan of the Little House books, and you like a witty bit of writing mixed in here and there, you will be entertained.
Says Who?
I'm making a book for my mother about this oxox
This is a great book.
Anderly
This is a great story, I encourage many people to read or listen to this book, L.A.H. did a great reading with all the characters. A great book by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Giving this a five star review and you should too! Definitely read this.
Gonul
We loved it with my 7 and 6 years old children. At the end of the story my son cried because of Elisabeth Ann had to leave that place π₯² but at the end she did not, it was a happy end πI highly reccomend.
A LibriVox Listener
This a a great book! with the descriptions of both turn of the century and early 1800s America, it would be good for those that like the history part of the Laura Ingels Wilder book. Recommended for those who like stories with a warm heart.
Bethany Koehn
Even tho this is a kid's book and I happen to be the old age of 29, I shall always love this book. The reader is also very clear and does a great job of reading smoothly.
Amazing. Just amazing.
Izzy
This is definitely one one of my favorite books! My mom read it to me when I was six. Now I am 14 and i still listen to it all the time!ππ