The story in one page
Heidi is deposited by her aunt at the doorstep of the Alm-Uncle, a man who lives in solitude on an Alpine slope. She quickly adapts to the mountain air, sleeping on hay and herding goats with Peter. This domestic peace is interrupted when she is taken to Frankfurt to provide companionship for Clara, a wealthy, paralyzed girl. Confined by city walls and strict tutoring, the girl becomes a ghost of herself. She eventually returns home, prompting a visit from Clara, whose recovery in the high altitude changes the future for both the orphan and the old man.
Who's who
- Heidi
A child who thrives on mountains and despises city walls.
- Alm-Uncle
A reclusive old man who keeps to himself until his granddaughter arrives.
- Peter
A local goatherd who manages the herd and fears the schoolroom.
- Clara
A wealthy invalid who discovers the benefits of mountain air.
- Fraulein Rottenmeier
A stern housekeeper who runs a very orderly and unhappy household.
What it's really about
- Environment
- Mountains heal; cities suppress spirits.
- Hospitality
- Sharing food and space bonds people.
Why it's memorable
- Eating warm goat cheese while sitting on a rustic wooden bench.
- Sleeping in a bed of fresh-smelling mountain hay.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
The doctor plans to renovate the mountain house to ensure a stable future for Heidi. Clara, having gained the strength to walk, departs, leaving behind a promise to send a hundred pounds of salt for the goats. As the village of Dorfli undergoes construction to winterize the dwelling, the doctor secures his place in Heidi's life, pledging to care for her as his own. Meanwhile, Heidi visits Peter’s grandmother, who, warmed by new clothes and comforted by the turn of events, asks Heidi to read a hymn. Surrounded by her friends, Heidi settles into a life of shared gratitude, the long-standing tensions of her mountain exile finally resolved.
For your book club
- How isolation from society dictates the grandfather's sharp social reflexes.
- The contrast between urban status and simple mountain subsistence.