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Little House #7
Little Town on the Prairie
The seventh book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s treasured Little House series, and the recipient of a Newbery Honor—now available as an ebook! This digital version features Garth Williams’s classic illustrations, which appear in vibrant full color on a full-color device and in rich black-and-white on all other devices.
The settlement that weathered the long, hard winter of 1880-81 is now a growing town. With spring comes a new job for Laura, town parties, and more time to spend with Almanzo Wilder. Laura also tries to help Pa and Ma save money so that Mary is able to go to a college for the blind.
The nine Little House books are inspired by Laura’s own childhood and have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories.
The settlement that weathered the long, hard winter of 1880-81 is now a growing town. With spring comes a new job for Laura, town parties, and more time to spend with Almanzo Wilder. Laura also tries to help Pa and Ma save money so that Mary is able to go to a college for the blind.
The nine Little House books are inspired by Laura’s own childhood and have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1941
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About the author
Laura Ingalls Wilder
374books5,205followersIngalls wrote a series of historical fiction books for children based on her childhood growing up in a pioneer family. She also wrote a regular newspaper column and kept a diary as an adult moving from South Dakota to Missouri, the latter of which has been published as a book.
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July 31, 2015I kind of don’t know how to deal with the casual racism in these books. The minstrel show in the chapter “The Madcap Days� appals me as an adult. As a child, living in Jamaica, sharing homes with Jamaican families and running in a pack with Jamaican kids, I actually didn’t know what the “darkies� of this chapter were supposed to be. Clearly they were men making music and singing, their faces disguised with black polish. I neither knew nor would have understood what they were supposed to be. They might as well have been Morris dancers or chimney sweeps. I don’t think this excuses what’s going on here, but I do think it shows that A) what you read doesn’t necessarily damage you for life, and B) children are very good at blocking out the things they don’t get. I wish it wasn't like this: but the book was published in 1941 and is set in 1882, so we're stuck with it.
And for a long time, as a child, this book was my favorite of the series. In many ways it’s straight-up YA, though it was published so long ago. I’m astonished, now, at how much of the book is focused on Laura being dissatisfied with her looks and struggling to be stylish. Some of the little conversations about style are wonderful � Ma is constantly, gently disapproving of Laura’s newfangled notions, and Laura does a fair bit of eye-rolling over Ma’s old-fashionedness. The crowd of high school kids sledding together, jockeying for social position, experimenting with electricity, eying up each other’s clothes, the first hints at romance, Laura’s burn-out with school, are absolutely timeless. The battles with Eliza Jane Wilder and Nellie Oleson are so frustrating and yet so satisfying, and Laura is no angel. (I love that when she writes the mean verse about Eliza Jane she excuses herself: “She meant only to please Ida, and perhaps, just a little, to show off what she could do.� I know this feeling so well. Also � wow, her verse GOES VIRAL! The innocence with which the teasing starts and the anonymous rapidity with which it tears through the town is all Laura’s fault and she knows it and feels terrible about it. It is fascinating to see how bullying has not really changed much.)
Timeless, too, are moments such as Laura’s struggle to do the fall housecleaning and discovering how some projects always take six times as long as you think they will: “It was amazing, too, how dirty they all got, while cleaning a house that had seemed quite clean. The harder they worked, the dirtier everything became.�
Quotations I like:
“There is no comfort anywhere for anyone who dreads to go home.�
“This earthly life is a battle,� said Ma. “If it isn’t one thing to contend with, it’s another. It always has been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and the more thankful for your pleasures.�
“I don’t see how anybody can be prepared for anything,� said Laura. “When you expect something, and then something else always happens.� [Ma responds:] “Even the weather has more sense in it than you seem to give it credit for. Blizzards come only in a blizzard country. You may be well prepared to teach school and still not be a schoolteacher, but if you are not prepared, it’s certain that you won’t be.�
SO TRUE.
This is also where I first read the Declaration of Independence. She quotes an awful lot of it.
December 9, 2020
How would you like to work in town, Laura?
When Mary lost her sight, she lost all hope of continuing her education. A kindly reverend tells the Ingalls family of a college for the blind. It goes without question that Mary will attend the seven years of school.
Now, the Ingalls family desperately needs money to cover school costs for Mary. Laura takes up work in town - sewing buttons of all things. While she hates it, she wants Mary to go to college far mor. The Ingalls family's crops are set upon by great swarms of pests.
And, to top it all, Eliza Jane (Laura's future sister-in-law) teaches their one-room school - and she's terrible at it. No discipline, belittling students and extreme favoritism. Even Laura cannot stand her. When Eliza Jane unjustly punishes Carrie, Laura escalates until she is thrown out of school.
Laura gets the last laugh. She pens this poem and publishes it in her autobiographical novel - for thousands of children to read and remember:
Going to school is lots of fun,
From laughing we have gained a ton,
We laugh until we have a pain,
At Lazy, Lousy, Lizy Jane.
She is my petty-revenge goals.
Audiobook Comments
Read by Cherry Jones and accompanied by Paul Woodiel on the fiddle. Love this dynamic duo!
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February 28, 2016
About two years ago I started rereading the Little House books. It started as a whim after visiting Minnesota and driving by one of the places where Laura Ingalls used to live. I had read these books with my mother when I was a child, and I grew up with the popular TV show based on the series, so there was a hefty dose of nostalgia whenever I reread one of the books.
Now that nostalgia has become even more powerful, because book seven, Little Town on the Prairie, was the first one that I read aloud to my mother. My mom suffers from brain cancer and has trouble communicating, but she was so delighted to hear these stories again! She smiled and laughed, and enjoyed looking at the illustrations of life on the prairie.
Little Town takes place in De Smet, South Dakota, when Laura was 15. She wants to study hard so she can earn a teacher's certificate and help pay for her blind sister, Mary, to go to college. Laura gets her first taste of adulthood when she gets a job working as a seamstress in town, and she also gets attention from a young man named Almanzo Wilder. The stories are mostly sweet and charming, with the exception of mean Nellie Oleson and a bad teacher. Luckily Pa and Ma always have some wisdom and comfort to give.
Overall this was a joy to read, and I was happy to again share this story with my mother.
Favorite Quote
"This earthly life is a battle," said Ma. "If it isn't one thing to contend with it's another. It has always been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and the more thankful for your pleasures."
Now that nostalgia has become even more powerful, because book seven, Little Town on the Prairie, was the first one that I read aloud to my mother. My mom suffers from brain cancer and has trouble communicating, but she was so delighted to hear these stories again! She smiled and laughed, and enjoyed looking at the illustrations of life on the prairie.
Little Town takes place in De Smet, South Dakota, when Laura was 15. She wants to study hard so she can earn a teacher's certificate and help pay for her blind sister, Mary, to go to college. Laura gets her first taste of adulthood when she gets a job working as a seamstress in town, and she also gets attention from a young man named Almanzo Wilder. The stories are mostly sweet and charming, with the exception of mean Nellie Oleson and a bad teacher. Luckily Pa and Ma always have some wisdom and comfort to give.
Overall this was a joy to read, and I was happy to again share this story with my mother.
Favorite Quote
"This earthly life is a battle," said Ma. "If it isn't one thing to contend with it's another. It has always been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and the more thankful for your pleasures."
February 12, 2021
Yet another great book in the series! They just keep getting better and better! I simply can’t learn enough about this family, town, and their way of life.
November 16, 2022
"This earthly life is a battle," said Ma. "If it isn't one thing to contend with, it's another. It always has been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and the more thankful for your pleasures. Now Mary, I'm ready to fit the bodice." (PG. 89)
Newbery Honor Award-YA- 1941
What can I say about this classic that hasn't been said before? Nothing new, I'm sure.
I enjoyed it and the innocent way it is written. It would be a good book for anyone to read. I did find it a bit boring in some parts but I was fascinated at prairie living and the age of consent to marry and have a job with only a certificate. Now it costs a bajillion dollars to be a teacher or a nurse. It's all very informative American history.
I don't believe in banning books and whatever happened long ago can't be judged by anyone today. It was just the way it was. Like, am I going to be judged for pooping myself at 3 years old or asking why someone looks a certain way 20 years ago? Probably not. But I did have a problem with a short chapter here. The chapter where Pa and his neighbors played the darkies. Black face was hilarious to the townsfolk. It was the highlight of the night. No one could miss the show, weak with excitement. Luckily, it was short and cringe-worthy to the me of today. I would like to believe I'd be the champion for change but let's be honest... only .01% of people would actually have the courage to say anything, even now. Maybe it's gone up thanks to the movements of recent years but I believe most people wouldn't say anything out of fear of being different from the crowd. Joneses and Crowd mentality right? Anyway, Laura Ingalls lived in a different time of free land and teaching certificates so this is just her story, her memories.
Other than that scene, it was just okay. Something calm and innocent to read. Enjoyable.
Newbery Honor Award-YA- 1941
What can I say about this classic that hasn't been said before? Nothing new, I'm sure.
I enjoyed it and the innocent way it is written. It would be a good book for anyone to read. I did find it a bit boring in some parts but I was fascinated at prairie living and the age of consent to marry and have a job with only a certificate. Now it costs a bajillion dollars to be a teacher or a nurse. It's all very informative American history.
I don't believe in banning books and whatever happened long ago can't be judged by anyone today. It was just the way it was. Like, am I going to be judged for pooping myself at 3 years old or asking why someone looks a certain way 20 years ago? Probably not. But I did have a problem with a short chapter here. The chapter where Pa and his neighbors played the darkies. Black face was hilarious to the townsfolk. It was the highlight of the night. No one could miss the show, weak with excitement. Luckily, it was short and cringe-worthy to the me of today. I would like to believe I'd be the champion for change but let's be honest... only .01% of people would actually have the courage to say anything, even now. Maybe it's gone up thanks to the movements of recent years but I believe most people wouldn't say anything out of fear of being different from the crowd. Joneses and Crowd mentality right? Anyway, Laura Ingalls lived in a different time of free land and teaching certificates so this is just her story, her memories.
Other than that scene, it was just okay. Something calm and innocent to read. Enjoyable.
August 26, 2016
Most problematic of the bunch so far.
Minstrel show? Lunatic fringe? Half-wit? 23-year old Almanzo slithering around 15-year old Laura?
And why is Ma so keen on Laura becoming a teacher? It seems to be a one-year-of-teaching-and-then-get-married sort of enterprise. Why even bother?
Minstrel show? Lunatic fringe? Half-wit? 23-year old Almanzo slithering around 15-year old Laura?
And why is Ma so keen on Laura becoming a teacher? It seems to be a one-year-of-teaching-and-then-get-married sort of enterprise. Why even bother?
November 30, 2019
Over two car trips we finished listening to the wonderful Cherry Jones read book seven in the popular classic Little House series, as Laura Ingalls grows into a young (15-eyar-old, but mature for her age, given what she has been through) lady. In earlier books, ones I really prefer, such as The Long Winter, the Ingalls family was nearly starving, struggling to create the homestead and stay alive, but in this one, set in 1888 DeSmet, South Dakota, it is really about how a group of people begin establishing “civilization”—Church, School, and things like a Literary Society.
As a teacher, I pay attention to the creation of things lthere ike a spelling bee, where simple prairie people struggle in a competition to spell words no one will ever use, something that still happens in the SAT and ACT. To be� civilized� is to know big obscure words! They attend public debates about topics such “Who was a greater man: Lincoln or Washington?� Laura delivers a kind of summary of American history that ign9res the fact that they have displaced Native Americans entirely.
They study the Constitution in school, which is inspiring on one level, but as they see it, it is serving the white folks, of course. Ma says she hates Indians, and (saint) Pa (never criticized by Laura), participates in an appalling minstrel show, Pa in black face. School and church and Literary Society separate white settlers from the savages (the Indians, never much mentioned here).
So okay, I am not giving the tale a complete pass for all that, but I don’t think it is a complete contradiction to say the 1888 Ingalls family is still pretty sweet and charming, over all. Laura earns her teaching certificate at 15 (!) and is asked out sledding by her dreamy future husband Almanzo Wilder. She, no saint, gets in trouble for writing a poem criticizing her future sister-in-law, her terrible teacher. She gets a job working as a seamstress in town to put her blind sister Mary through college. I know, I know what I have said, but I still found a lot of it charming and fascinating in all its ethnographic-level detail. I like Laura and this family pretty well in spite of all their (historical) faults.
As a teacher, I pay attention to the creation of things lthere ike a spelling bee, where simple prairie people struggle in a competition to spell words no one will ever use, something that still happens in the SAT and ACT. To be� civilized� is to know big obscure words! They attend public debates about topics such “Who was a greater man: Lincoln or Washington?� Laura delivers a kind of summary of American history that ign9res the fact that they have displaced Native Americans entirely.
They study the Constitution in school, which is inspiring on one level, but as they see it, it is serving the white folks, of course. Ma says she hates Indians, and (saint) Pa (never criticized by Laura), participates in an appalling minstrel show, Pa in black face. School and church and Literary Society separate white settlers from the savages (the Indians, never much mentioned here).
So okay, I am not giving the tale a complete pass for all that, but I don’t think it is a complete contradiction to say the 1888 Ingalls family is still pretty sweet and charming, over all. Laura earns her teaching certificate at 15 (!) and is asked out sledding by her dreamy future husband Almanzo Wilder. She, no saint, gets in trouble for writing a poem criticizing her future sister-in-law, her terrible teacher. She gets a job working as a seamstress in town to put her blind sister Mary through college. I know, I know what I have said, but I still found a lot of it charming and fascinating in all its ethnographic-level detail. I like Laura and this family pretty well in spite of all their (historical) faults.
January 22, 2021
Well yes, I have definitely very much enjoyed and appreciated how the seventh Little House on the Prairie novel, how Little Town on the Prairie is not just about the Ingalls family trying to farm and to basically make ends meet, to simply survive anymore, but that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s words in Little Town on the Prairie also and very strongly feature a school and frontier town story (set in De Smet South Dakota, with Laura and her younger sister Carrie both enjoying and at times despising school, with both decent and not so decent teachers, with entertainments, literary societies and weekly church gatherings, and finally, with 15 year old Laura Ingalls at the end of Little Town on the Prairie receiving a state certificate so she can leave home to teach so that her earned salary will help keep older sister Mary at her college for the blind).
However, as much as Little Town on the Prairie has been an interesting and educational reading experience, I have also been rather frustrated and even at times a trifle bored with and by some if not much of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s featured and presented text. For honestly, since I have always found Mary Ingalls much more personally relatable and more engaging than her sister and main protagonist Laura (at least to and for me), having Mary leave for college and then basically pretty well disappear from the narrative of Little Town on the Prairie (except for occasional references to her and that Mary is seemingly settling in well at and also much enjoying her college experience), yes indeed, this certainly has made Laura Ingalls Wilder’s narrative not as immediate and considerably less personally engaging, not enough for me to not have enjoyed reading Little Town on the Prairie but certainly enough to take some of the shine off of my reading joy and to only consider Little Town on the Prairie with but a high three star ranking. Because yes and definitely, as soon as Mary leaves for college, my reading pleasure regarding Little Town on the Prairie certainly ended up being diminished more than a trifle (and not to mention I also kind of think that the shenanigans between Laura Ingalls, Nellie Oleson and school teacher Eliza Wilder have felt a bit dragging and tedious for me personally).
Oh and finally, with regard to that minstrel show episode in Little Town on the Prairie (which is part of the town of De Smet’s featured public entertainments) and where Charles Ingalls plays a significant role (and in black face), while I have of course found said scene majorly uncomfortable from a modern point of view and perspective, considering that both in the 19th century and when Little Town on the Prairie was penned (in 1941) minstrel shows with actors pretending to be African American were still seen as rather acceptable and not as something necessarily negative and degrading towards African Americans, I really do not consider that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s words are to be seen as deliberately bigoted and nasty here but simply a sign of the times, something that needs to be discussed, no doubt, but as part of historical reality, equally something that in my opinion gives Little Town on the Prairie a problematic but necessary portrait of reality.
However, as much as Little Town on the Prairie has been an interesting and educational reading experience, I have also been rather frustrated and even at times a trifle bored with and by some if not much of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s featured and presented text. For honestly, since I have always found Mary Ingalls much more personally relatable and more engaging than her sister and main protagonist Laura (at least to and for me), having Mary leave for college and then basically pretty well disappear from the narrative of Little Town on the Prairie (except for occasional references to her and that Mary is seemingly settling in well at and also much enjoying her college experience), yes indeed, this certainly has made Laura Ingalls Wilder’s narrative not as immediate and considerably less personally engaging, not enough for me to not have enjoyed reading Little Town on the Prairie but certainly enough to take some of the shine off of my reading joy and to only consider Little Town on the Prairie with but a high three star ranking. Because yes and definitely, as soon as Mary leaves for college, my reading pleasure regarding Little Town on the Prairie certainly ended up being diminished more than a trifle (and not to mention I also kind of think that the shenanigans between Laura Ingalls, Nellie Oleson and school teacher Eliza Wilder have felt a bit dragging and tedious for me personally).
Oh and finally, with regard to that minstrel show episode in Little Town on the Prairie (which is part of the town of De Smet’s featured public entertainments) and where Charles Ingalls plays a significant role (and in black face), while I have of course found said scene majorly uncomfortable from a modern point of view and perspective, considering that both in the 19th century and when Little Town on the Prairie was penned (in 1941) minstrel shows with actors pretending to be African American were still seen as rather acceptable and not as something necessarily negative and degrading towards African Americans, I really do not consider that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s words are to be seen as deliberately bigoted and nasty here but simply a sign of the times, something that needs to be discussed, no doubt, but as part of historical reality, equally something that in my opinion gives Little Town on the Prairie a problematic but necessary portrait of reality.
March 2, 2014
Eleanor and Gwennie are both here, but before we begin, I want to tell MY favorite part... and I have to write it quietly because it's not quite appropriate.
Laura had just started working in town, when she saw these two men get kicked out of a bar. They were sloshed, and singing an old church hymn. They went through the town punching holes in the screens of local businesses, and Laura thought this was funny.
Laura got in trouble when she got home for thinking this was funny, but the last line of the chapter read: "Pa looked at Laura, and his eyes were still twinkling. Laura knew that he didn't blame her for laughing."
Maybe I'll add some more things I thought about as a grownup at the end of the review, but for now, I think the girls are ready to give their input. They're here talking about a baby-doll being allergic to babies. Before I start typing the review, I might just wait to see how this conversation plays out...
...
Dad: Ok ladies, are you ready to start the review?
... (They continue talking and counting...)
Dad: Ladies?
Ladies: Yes?
Dad: You ready?
Ladies: Yes!!!
Eleanor: Dad, are you writing equations?
Gwennie: He's writing too much!
E: Dad?
D: So lets talk about the book.
E: The first thing I want to talk about was that the men were saying, "I'm Tay Pay Pryor and I'm DRUNK! I'm Tay Pay Pryor and I'M DRUNK!"
D: (not outloud): ...Huh... I guess that part stuck with her too. It's weird that THAT'S the first part she mentioned, even though I don't think she understands what "drunk" is. ...Although, maybe I explained it to her in the reading... (outloud): Hey El, do you know what it means to be drunk?
E: It means... ...I don't remember... I don't remember, Daddy. And DON'T put that in the review, either. What? I don't remember what being drunk means? OOOOOOOOOOOoooooooohhhhhhhh.... If you drink too much wine, or alcohol, it makes you a little goofy - but goofy in a bad way.
D: Huh... you're right. Did I tell you that?
E: I think so, yeah.
D: Did you ask me about it?
E: Yes. When we got to that part in the book.
D: Well, what else did you like?
E: Well, maybe I can whisper in Gwennie's ear, and then she can tell you! That way she can help with the review!!!! *Whispers something to Gwen.*
G: I liked that Laura was able to become a teacher!!!!
D: Do you want to talk about anything else in the book?
E: Laura felt nervous a bunch of times - when she started working in town, when she was going to do mental math in front of the class, when she was going to the Thanksgiving party, when she was going to the birthday party, when she was going to the social, when she did the histories at the school exhibition...
D: That's an interesting observation, Eleanor. Nice job.
E: Thanks.
D: No, seriously. I'm not sure what to make of that, but I bet it's important. Let me also say, that I liked the race,
E: The 4th of July race?
D: Yeah... and that they got a cat, and I thought it was interesting that Laura got suspended.
E: Why is it interesting? It wasn't good for Laura and Carrie.
D: I know it wasn't good for them.
E: Then why were you saying it was interesting?
D: Maybe because I always hear people talk about how good people were back then, but it seems like even the best people got in trouble sometimes, you know?
E: I thought it was interesting when Pa got a mouse in his hair!
D: What did it do again?
E: It CUT off his hair, and made TOOTH-MARKS in his head!!!
D: HA! That's right! That was crazy!
E: Daddy, why don't we ever have a mouse in our hair?
G: (very scared) Can we not talk about it? I don't want to get scared.
D: Don't worry, it won't happen to us. We've got a cat that likes to catch anything that moves.
G: Do cats eat mouses?
D: It's not "mouses." Do you know how to say it?
E: YEAH! Do you want me to tell Gwennie?
D: mm-hmmm
E: It's mice.
G: Ohhhh...
E: Can I talk about the Happy Days, quick? Actually, I want to talk about how each walk they took seemed like the last walk they would have together.
D: Who?
E: Mary and Laura.
D: Was that part sad?
E: Yep.
D: Because their time together was ending?
E: Mm-hmmmm...
D: Well, all good things come to an end. And, maybe that's a good place to end this review too, because I think Gwennie's getting bored. :)
Laura had just started working in town, when she saw these two men get kicked out of a bar. They were sloshed, and singing an old church hymn. They went through the town punching holes in the screens of local businesses, and Laura thought this was funny.
Laura got in trouble when she got home for thinking this was funny, but the last line of the chapter read: "Pa looked at Laura, and his eyes were still twinkling. Laura knew that he didn't blame her for laughing."
Maybe I'll add some more things I thought about as a grownup at the end of the review, but for now, I think the girls are ready to give their input. They're here talking about a baby-doll being allergic to babies. Before I start typing the review, I might just wait to see how this conversation plays out...
...
Dad: Ok ladies, are you ready to start the review?
... (They continue talking and counting...)
Dad: Ladies?
Ladies: Yes?
Dad: You ready?
Ladies: Yes!!!
Eleanor: Dad, are you writing equations?
Gwennie: He's writing too much!
E: Dad?
D: So lets talk about the book.
E: The first thing I want to talk about was that the men were saying, "I'm Tay Pay Pryor and I'm DRUNK! I'm Tay Pay Pryor and I'M DRUNK!"
D: (not outloud): ...Huh... I guess that part stuck with her too. It's weird that THAT'S the first part she mentioned, even though I don't think she understands what "drunk" is. ...Although, maybe I explained it to her in the reading... (outloud): Hey El, do you know what it means to be drunk?
E: It means... ...I don't remember... I don't remember, Daddy. And DON'T put that in the review, either. What? I don't remember what being drunk means? OOOOOOOOOOOoooooooohhhhhhhh.... If you drink too much wine, or alcohol, it makes you a little goofy - but goofy in a bad way.
D: Huh... you're right. Did I tell you that?
E: I think so, yeah.
D: Did you ask me about it?
E: Yes. When we got to that part in the book.
D: Well, what else did you like?
E: Well, maybe I can whisper in Gwennie's ear, and then she can tell you! That way she can help with the review!!!! *Whispers something to Gwen.*
G: I liked that Laura was able to become a teacher!!!!
D: Do you want to talk about anything else in the book?
E: Laura felt nervous a bunch of times - when she started working in town, when she was going to do mental math in front of the class, when she was going to the Thanksgiving party, when she was going to the birthday party, when she was going to the social, when she did the histories at the school exhibition...
D: That's an interesting observation, Eleanor. Nice job.
E: Thanks.
D: No, seriously. I'm not sure what to make of that, but I bet it's important. Let me also say, that I liked the race,
E: The 4th of July race?
D: Yeah... and that they got a cat, and I thought it was interesting that Laura got suspended.
E: Why is it interesting? It wasn't good for Laura and Carrie.
D: I know it wasn't good for them.
E: Then why were you saying it was interesting?
D: Maybe because I always hear people talk about how good people were back then, but it seems like even the best people got in trouble sometimes, you know?
E: I thought it was interesting when Pa got a mouse in his hair!
D: What did it do again?
E: It CUT off his hair, and made TOOTH-MARKS in his head!!!
D: HA! That's right! That was crazy!
E: Daddy, why don't we ever have a mouse in our hair?
G: (very scared) Can we not talk about it? I don't want to get scared.
D: Don't worry, it won't happen to us. We've got a cat that likes to catch anything that moves.
G: Do cats eat mouses?
D: It's not "mouses." Do you know how to say it?
E: YEAH! Do you want me to tell Gwennie?
D: mm-hmmm
E: It's mice.
G: Ohhhh...
E: Can I talk about the Happy Days, quick? Actually, I want to talk about how each walk they took seemed like the last walk they would have together.
D: Who?
E: Mary and Laura.
D: Was that part sad?
E: Yep.
D: Because their time together was ending?
E: Mm-hmmmm...
D: Well, all good things come to an end. And, maybe that's a good place to end this review too, because I think Gwennie's getting bored. :)
November 13, 2011
I flew through this one, maybe because I was so happy not to be stuck in a blizzard anymore, freezing and starving. Things are really looking up for the Ingalls family--they get a kitten, Mary finally goes off to college, there are parties in town, and by the end of the book, Laura gets her teaching certificate. The most extravagant thing is when Pa allows Laura to buy name cards (they're the latest thing and cost 25 cents!). I actually squealed, "Oh, Pa! Letting Laura buy name cards!", eliciting an eyeroll from my husband. Laura always works so hard and tries to be so good, so it's nice to see the little rewards.
There are a couple of moments that make you stop and think as an adult. One, Pa and some buddies in town put on a show wearing blackface, which is pretty cringeworthy. Two, as much as we all love Laura, you start to wonder about how Laura writes about herself--is she this good? That whole thing with Nellie and Miss Wilder kind of makes you wonder who really is the petty person.
Another thing, I love Almanzo as he begins to court Laura (maybe I squealed more). But as Ma exclaims, Laura's only 15! And Almanzo's 10 years older. I know at the time that was fine, but you could say the same for blackface. Of course, Laura doesn't marry him until she's 18, so I guess that makes it less creepy? Also making it less creepy, Laura's maturity--she even helps Ma and Pa get the money to send Mary to college. Making it creepy again--Laura's innocence. She can't figure out why Almanzo wants to walk her home after the church revival. We see more of their slow courtship in the next book (more squeal-worthy moments).
There are a couple of moments that make you stop and think as an adult. One, Pa and some buddies in town put on a show wearing blackface, which is pretty cringeworthy. Two, as much as we all love Laura, you start to wonder about how Laura writes about herself--is she this good? That whole thing with Nellie and Miss Wilder kind of makes you wonder who really is the petty person.
Another thing, I love Almanzo as he begins to court Laura (maybe I squealed more). But as Ma exclaims, Laura's only 15! And Almanzo's 10 years older. I know at the time that was fine, but you could say the same for blackface. Of course, Laura doesn't marry him until she's 18, so I guess that makes it less creepy? Also making it less creepy, Laura's maturity--she even helps Ma and Pa get the money to send Mary to college. Making it creepy again--Laura's innocence. She can't figure out why Almanzo wants to walk her home after the church revival. We see more of their slow courtship in the next book (more squeal-worthy moments).
September 16, 2020
Laura is growing up... at all of age fifteen. But she is still very much a child, and that is probably what makes this one of my favorite books in the series. I love how contrarian she is, willing to rock a desk so loud on Carrie's behalf that she drowns out all the other students and classes, in a defiant prairie version of the middle finger to their biased teacher. I love that she feels a little streak of mean pleasure whenever she can find some way to rub something into Nellie's face. She is not perfect, she does not pretend to be, yet she feels occasional flits of shame at her youthful jealous nature and vindictive streak. And I love her for it.
Something I failed to notice as a child, but that is more than apparent to me as an adult, is how LIW managed to grow the books right alongside Laura. It started dawning on me in The Long Winter, but I truly saw it here. In the early books, Laura had a child's perception of things -- innocent, naive, and childish. She would not remember profound statements from her parents, so they do not "make them." But by now, at age fifteen, Laura is listening to her folks. And Ma and Pa are offering far deeper nuggets of wisdom and maturity to shape her character than ever before. It's ingenious. It's a difficult thing for an author to do, because unlike the endless "serial" novels that feature eternally youthful heroines, Laura must grow up. She must wear hoop skirts. She must get her teacher's certificate to keep Mary in school. And... she gets to walk home with Almonzo Wilder.
The audience knows something Laura doesn't. That this handsome boy with the gorgeous horses who seems so much older and more mature than Laura will be her husband one day. And that... lends a beautiful sweetness to each small gesture he gives her, even the innocent ride in the buggy that Laura thought gleefully, will make Nellie SO JEALOUS.
Something I failed to notice as a child, but that is more than apparent to me as an adult, is how LIW managed to grow the books right alongside Laura. It started dawning on me in The Long Winter, but I truly saw it here. In the early books, Laura had a child's perception of things -- innocent, naive, and childish. She would not remember profound statements from her parents, so they do not "make them." But by now, at age fifteen, Laura is listening to her folks. And Ma and Pa are offering far deeper nuggets of wisdom and maturity to shape her character than ever before. It's ingenious. It's a difficult thing for an author to do, because unlike the endless "serial" novels that feature eternally youthful heroines, Laura must grow up. She must wear hoop skirts. She must get her teacher's certificate to keep Mary in school. And... she gets to walk home with Almonzo Wilder.
The audience knows something Laura doesn't. That this handsome boy with the gorgeous horses who seems so much older and more mature than Laura will be her husband one day. And that... lends a beautiful sweetness to each small gesture he gives her, even the innocent ride in the buggy that Laura thought gleefully, will make Nellie SO JEALOUS.
February 14, 2025
4-1/2 Stars
Another wonderful entry in the Ingalls family series. It is wonderful to see how the family has grown and changed as well as the world around them.
Another wonderful entry in the Ingalls family series. It is wonderful to see how the family has grown and changed as well as the world around them.
June 3, 2019
Digital audiobook performed by Cherry Jones
Book seven in the popular classic Little House series, has Laura growing into a young lady. She feels that the new teacher, Miss Wilder, is unfairly picking on her and her sister. Nellie Oleson seems to be thwarting Laura at every turn. Mary has left to go to a college for the blind, and Laura takes on a part time job to help pay the expenses. The town is growing and with growth come new opportunities for socializing. Laura passes her examination to be certified as a teacher, and love begins to blossom.
I love this series for the way the pioneer spirit is portrayed and the strong family relationships.
THIS book, however, has a scene that is very uncomfortable for modern readers. The towns folks put on a minstrel show, including performers in blackface. I know this is historically accurate to the period, but I just cringed reading about it.
Cherry Jones does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I particularly like it when she sings the hymns or folk songs.
Book seven in the popular classic Little House series, has Laura growing into a young lady. She feels that the new teacher, Miss Wilder, is unfairly picking on her and her sister. Nellie Oleson seems to be thwarting Laura at every turn. Mary has left to go to a college for the blind, and Laura takes on a part time job to help pay the expenses. The town is growing and with growth come new opportunities for socializing. Laura passes her examination to be certified as a teacher, and love begins to blossom.
I love this series for the way the pioneer spirit is portrayed and the strong family relationships.
THIS book, however, has a scene that is very uncomfortable for modern readers. The towns folks put on a minstrel show, including performers in blackface. I know this is historically accurate to the period, but I just cringed reading about it.
Cherry Jones does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I particularly like it when she sings the hymns or folk songs.
February 16, 2023
Listened to this with the boys in the car and I’m glad they enjoyed it as much as me.
Sparked some good conversation as the teacher was not being fair based on some false information. This is real life stuff and we must learn to give grace.
I really enjoyed the beginning section with Mary describing the goodness of God even though she is blind.❤️
When a character from the past shows up the boys� jaws dropped to find it was Nellie Oleson! They couldn’t believe it! The book says her nose was in the air, and one of my boys said, “Yep, that’s her alright!”�
Makes my heart so happy to enjoy this series with them! ❤️ Already on to the next one!
Sparked some good conversation as the teacher was not being fair based on some false information. This is real life stuff and we must learn to give grace.
I really enjoyed the beginning section with Mary describing the goodness of God even though she is blind.❤️
When a character from the past shows up the boys� jaws dropped to find it was Nellie Oleson! They couldn’t believe it! The book says her nose was in the air, and one of my boys said, “Yep, that’s her alright!”�
Makes my heart so happy to enjoy this series with them! ❤️ Already on to the next one!
May 1, 2019
“There is no comfort anywhere for anyone who dreads to go home.�
� Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little Town on the Prairie
I read the whole Little House series as a kid. I would like to reread some of them and this one is one of my all time faves from the series.
I adored the whole little house family and loved Laura's determination to become a teacher. I loved everything about the series and this book, even Nellie and her "name cards". I still get a smile on my face from these books even after all this time.
� Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little Town on the Prairie
I read the whole Little House series as a kid. I would like to reread some of them and this one is one of my all time faves from the series.
I adored the whole little house family and loved Laura's determination to become a teacher. I loved everything about the series and this book, even Nellie and her "name cards". I still get a smile on my face from these books even after all this time.
January 9, 2023
কাহিনী� এই অংশে এস� মূ� চরিত্র লরার বয়স যে� কিছুতে� বাড়াবেন না বল� প্রতিজ্ঞ� করেছেন লেখিকা� যদিও বইয়ের লর� আর লেখিকা দুজন এক� চরিত্র� তবুও কে� যে� এই পনের� বছ� বয়স� এস� লরার বয়স আটকে যাওয়াটা বেখাপ্পা লাগলো। এছাড়া বাকি সব ভালো� লেগেছে� বিশে� কর�, অবশেষে আলমানযোর সাথে লরার দেখা হওয়াটা।
January 28, 2019
I wanted to like it, I really did. But reading as an adult is very different to reading as a child. The innocence is stripped away, and we now read with the benefit of experience and education.
Unlike many children's classics it has not aged well. It works well enough for the junior reader, but even young children these days know better than to call Native Americans 'red savages' and that for Ma to 'hate Indians' is hypocritical when they've claimed Indian land as their own, and when it was an Indian who warned the white settlers of the impending Long Winter (previous book). 'Darkies' or blackface actors provide the entertainment during the winter nights.
There is a strong element of racial superiority running through the book. The Wilder and the other settlers are of the opinion that white, Christian people are naturally superior to the savage Indians and the darkies.
Ma is also quite sexist, and sadly a very typical product of her time and place. An excited Laura is advised to "modulate your voice...Remember, 'Her voice was ever gentle, low and soft, an excellent thing in a woman' ". Laura is scolded for not wearing her corsets, and Ma despairs of her ever being a lady.
The story moves slowly at first but starts to pick up when Mary goes to college and Laura and Carrie go back to school. The scenes at the school with Nellie and Miss Wilder were much more exciting. It was nice to see Laura display anger, jealousy and resentment, perfectly natural human emotions. I felt though that there was too much effort by the writer to insert Christian morality into the book. Laura is frequently reprimanded by Ma, and it gets tiresome after a while. Vanity is a besetting sin and Laura has it drummed out of her. No human being can ever live up to Ma's ideal. And Laura feels guilty about it. Ma seems to spend too much time worrying about what is acceptable and what isn't.
Laura holds her own in the rivalry with Nellie though her conflict with Miss Wilder is never really resolved. The saving grace are the children. Laura is warm and funny and earnest, and her siblings and peers are just as interesting. Laura wants to get her teaching certificate so that her income can help the family and with Mary's college fees. But always in the background is the knowledge that she'll only teach for a few years, that her real career will be that of a Wife.
I can't help comparing Little Town with Little Women, which was written only a few years earlier. Mrs March is a much more sensible and liberal woman and the March girls are much more spirited, ambitious and curious. But then that is fiction and this is partly fiction.
Unlike many children's classics it has not aged well. It works well enough for the junior reader, but even young children these days know better than to call Native Americans 'red savages' and that for Ma to 'hate Indians' is hypocritical when they've claimed Indian land as their own, and when it was an Indian who warned the white settlers of the impending Long Winter (previous book). 'Darkies' or blackface actors provide the entertainment during the winter nights.
There is a strong element of racial superiority running through the book. The Wilder and the other settlers are of the opinion that white, Christian people are naturally superior to the savage Indians and the darkies.
Ma is also quite sexist, and sadly a very typical product of her time and place. An excited Laura is advised to "modulate your voice...Remember, 'Her voice was ever gentle, low and soft, an excellent thing in a woman' ". Laura is scolded for not wearing her corsets, and Ma despairs of her ever being a lady.
The story moves slowly at first but starts to pick up when Mary goes to college and Laura and Carrie go back to school. The scenes at the school with Nellie and Miss Wilder were much more exciting. It was nice to see Laura display anger, jealousy and resentment, perfectly natural human emotions. I felt though that there was too much effort by the writer to insert Christian morality into the book. Laura is frequently reprimanded by Ma, and it gets tiresome after a while. Vanity is a besetting sin and Laura has it drummed out of her. No human being can ever live up to Ma's ideal. And Laura feels guilty about it. Ma seems to spend too much time worrying about what is acceptable and what isn't.
Laura holds her own in the rivalry with Nellie though her conflict with Miss Wilder is never really resolved. The saving grace are the children. Laura is warm and funny and earnest, and her siblings and peers are just as interesting. Laura wants to get her teaching certificate so that her income can help the family and with Mary's college fees. But always in the background is the knowledge that she'll only teach for a few years, that her real career will be that of a Wife.
I can't help comparing Little Town with Little Women, which was written only a few years earlier. Mrs March is a much more sensible and liberal woman and the March girls are much more spirited, ambitious and curious. But then that is fiction and this is partly fiction.
October 16, 2018
Once again, a super sweet read. I found myself feeling so proud of Mary finally going to the college for the blind, and so proud of Laura getting her teacher's certificate. And Almanzo. <3 Of course I also continued loving the historical context of the story.
Only two more books to go, I think? I'm looking forward to them. :)
Content Advisory
Mention of strangers swearing, and also mention of the husband in a family Laura works for swearing while he and his wife constantly argue.
Laura witnesses a couple drunk men causing some destruction and singing. (She thinks it's funny.)
Mention of a minstrel show and a song from it is sung that repeatedly uses the tem "darkies". Pa himself is in the show and plays one of these characters and apparently wears black face.
Only two more books to go, I think? I'm looking forward to them. :)
Content Advisory
Mention of strangers swearing, and also mention of the husband in a family Laura works for swearing while he and his wife constantly argue.
Laura witnesses a couple drunk men causing some destruction and singing. (She thinks it's funny.)
Mention of a minstrel show and a song from it is sung that repeatedly uses the tem "darkies". Pa himself is in the show and plays one of these characters and apparently wears black face.
January 16, 2023
Ma Ingall's deep cleaning inspired some winter cleaning today. These books have been a nice remembrance of the better parts of my childhood. I had every book in the series as a kid and read them over and over. I recently read that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote these books in her 60s.
February 11, 2018
This one was full of lively social events and the beginnings of Almanzo courting Laura. Charming and informative.
August 29, 2017
oh, this one is so good. the ingalls family is no longer starving/freezing, so things are starting to look up for them.
highlights:
-they get a cat!!
-mary goes away to college in an extremely pretty dress
-almanzo wilder starts sniffing around
-they have enough to eat
-it does not snow inside the house
-they get chickens
low points:
-miss wilder being a real jerk. although, as evidenced by laura's own teaching certificate, teachers were only tested on knowledge and not classroom-management skills.
-pa participating in a racist literary minstrel show. i love garth williams but i cringed so hard when i saw that illustration.
-ma continuing to hate indians
-i'm really worried about carrie's headaches
-kinda bummed me out that even in the 1880s Laura was looking in the mirror and wishing she could be tall and willowy like Nellie Oleson.
highlights:
-they get a cat!!
-mary goes away to college in an extremely pretty dress
-almanzo wilder starts sniffing around
-they have enough to eat
-it does not snow inside the house
-they get chickens
low points:
-miss wilder being a real jerk. although, as evidenced by laura's own teaching certificate, teachers were only tested on knowledge and not classroom-management skills.
-pa participating in a racist literary minstrel show. i love garth williams but i cringed so hard when i saw that illustration.
-ma continuing to hate indians
-i'm really worried about carrie's headaches
-kinda bummed me out that even in the 1880s Laura was looking in the mirror and wishing she could be tall and willowy like Nellie Oleson.
January 29, 2023
I quite enjoyed this installment of Little House #7-besides the fact that they used black-face as entertainment.🤢😧😞
January 1, 2013
I squeezed one more book into 2012! The characters are the same as in all the books, of course--Pa is the greatest and a hero among men, Ma is uptight and kind of racist, Laura is rebellious but good at heart. Everything is described in such loving detail. I do feel like I should have reread The Long Winter before this one because the relative plenty in LTotP is in such contrast to those poor people starving around the stove.
Notes of note:
- I liked the conversation when Mary admitted that she was being good partly to show off. It really made her more likable. I wonder if that really happened.
- Almanzo makes his move on Laura! And she seems completely confused at first. That was cute. But she held up her end of the conversation. That's why we like her.
- It's interesting how close the family was out of necessity. Like, they'd miss Pa when he was out working in town all day. I guess if you're used to being around someone 24/7, it's pretty strange when they're gone. And of course, Mary went to college and they were too despondent to have Christmas. It makes Laura's already understandable unhappiness at the crazy Brewsters' in the next book even more poignant(and Almanzo's kindness at bringing her home every weekend even more touching).
- Related to the above, Laura and Carrie absolutely freaked out whenever they went into town. There were almost 20 students at the school! And not having a clue how to act at a party. What if they'd never moved to town, as I'm sure a lot of people didn't? Who did those people marry?
- For someone who hated to sew, Ma sure did a damn good job of it. Can you imagine doing all that by hand? I'm sure a lot of women just ran around in big old sack dresses. But Ma had a bit of upper-class striving that makes Laura's scorn of Nellie Oleson a little funny, IMO.
- Good Lord, the blackface. Progress is good.
Notes of note:
- I liked the conversation when Mary admitted that she was being good partly to show off. It really made her more likable. I wonder if that really happened.
- Almanzo makes his move on Laura! And she seems completely confused at first. That was cute. But she held up her end of the conversation. That's why we like her.
- It's interesting how close the family was out of necessity. Like, they'd miss Pa when he was out working in town all day. I guess if you're used to being around someone 24/7, it's pretty strange when they're gone. And of course, Mary went to college and they were too despondent to have Christmas. It makes Laura's already understandable unhappiness at the crazy Brewsters' in the next book even more poignant(and Almanzo's kindness at bringing her home every weekend even more touching).
- Related to the above, Laura and Carrie absolutely freaked out whenever they went into town. There were almost 20 students at the school! And not having a clue how to act at a party. What if they'd never moved to town, as I'm sure a lot of people didn't? Who did those people marry?
- For someone who hated to sew, Ma sure did a damn good job of it. Can you imagine doing all that by hand? I'm sure a lot of women just ran around in big old sack dresses. But Ma had a bit of upper-class striving that makes Laura's scorn of Nellie Oleson a little funny, IMO.
- Good Lord, the blackface. Progress is good.
September 5, 2022
I think it’s impossible for me to give a Little House book any less than 5 stars.
In this book, perhaps more than any of the others, we see Laura’s fiery personality showing through. I particularly enjoy seeing her getting in tiffs with her old rival, Nellie Oleson. Fun fact, in real life there were several girls Laura struggled to get along with. One of them was named Genevieve. Laura combined them into one character for the books. We also see her have a tumultuous relationship with Eliza Jane Wilder, her future sister-in-law. How awkward that she wrote so negatively about her, when they were family. Was Eliza Jane alive at the publishing of the books? I wonder how she felt when she read them.
I also enjoy getting to see how truly mischievous Pa was. In many of Laura’s escapades, while Ma is truly appalled, Pa is just over there twinkling his eyes at Laura and trying not to guffaw.
I like seeing how protective and loving Laura is to her sisters. She works her butt off to send/keep Mary in college, and is always worrying over little Carrie.
I love reading about the beginnings of Laura and Almanzo’s romance. I wonder what led up to him first asking to see her home? I bet she was very intriguing to him. She certainly wasn’t your average demure Victorian, even if she tried to be.
School seems way harder back then. The stuff they did for the school exhibition seems very difficult.
I’m glad that the Ingalls family finally seems to be getting a time of rest. They seem more financially stable, and they aren’t starving to death. I’m breathing a sigh of relief for them.
I hate how none of them are allowed to cry.
In this book, perhaps more than any of the others, we see Laura’s fiery personality showing through. I particularly enjoy seeing her getting in tiffs with her old rival, Nellie Oleson. Fun fact, in real life there were several girls Laura struggled to get along with. One of them was named Genevieve. Laura combined them into one character for the books. We also see her have a tumultuous relationship with Eliza Jane Wilder, her future sister-in-law. How awkward that she wrote so negatively about her, when they were family. Was Eliza Jane alive at the publishing of the books? I wonder how she felt when she read them.
I also enjoy getting to see how truly mischievous Pa was. In many of Laura’s escapades, while Ma is truly appalled, Pa is just over there twinkling his eyes at Laura and trying not to guffaw.
I like seeing how protective and loving Laura is to her sisters. She works her butt off to send/keep Mary in college, and is always worrying over little Carrie.
I love reading about the beginnings of Laura and Almanzo’s romance. I wonder what led up to him first asking to see her home? I bet she was very intriguing to him. She certainly wasn’t your average demure Victorian, even if she tried to be.
School seems way harder back then. The stuff they did for the school exhibition seems very difficult.
I’m glad that the Ingalls family finally seems to be getting a time of rest. They seem more financially stable, and they aren’t starving to death. I’m breathing a sigh of relief for them.
I hate how none of them are allowed to cry.
June 4, 2024
This book has always been one of my favorites of the Little House series, because it focuses a lot on Laura's schooling. I'm a teacher, so stories about school are very near to my heart. Laura is studying to be a teacher, so that she can make some money to help her sister Mary stay in college. Her friends at school are sweet and kind, and they develop a strong friend group, loyal and generous. However, that mean snitch Nellie Oleson makes their lives difficult. Laura often loses her temper and says spiteful things to Nellie, but she deserves it!
One of my favorite chapters is when Laura rocks the desk in defiance of her teacher's unfair punishment of Laura's sister, Carrie. Laura has a strong sense of justice and she is very protective of her little sister, and I always admired that.
Although the Ingalls family are not wealthy, at this point in the series they are prospering and have a little extra money for some nice things. Laura is able to join in with her friends at social events and have clothing and accessories similar to her friends. I love the chapter when they all buy the trendy name cards.
In this book we also establish Almanzo Wilder as a potential suitor for Laura. He shows some interest in her, but there is nothing definite yet. We have to wait for the next book to see how their romance unfolds.
I love how wholesome and soothing these books are. It takes me back to my childhood when I first read them!
One of my favorite chapters is when Laura rocks the desk in defiance of her teacher's unfair punishment of Laura's sister, Carrie. Laura has a strong sense of justice and she is very protective of her little sister, and I always admired that.
Although the Ingalls family are not wealthy, at this point in the series they are prospering and have a little extra money for some nice things. Laura is able to join in with her friends at social events and have clothing and accessories similar to her friends. I love the chapter when they all buy the trendy name cards.
In this book we also establish Almanzo Wilder as a potential suitor for Laura. He shows some interest in her, but there is nothing definite yet. We have to wait for the next book to see how their romance unfolds.
I love how wholesome and soothing these books are. It takes me back to my childhood when I first read them!
July 3, 2021
From what I understand, Nellie Oleson in the books was a composite of two or three girls (imagine there being multiples of the nasty little creature!), so the Nellie here may not be the same as the Nellie we've met before. Whoever she is, she stinks. (Nellie rhymes with smelly.) And she's evil. (Witch rhymes with something else.)
Almanzo starts to show an interest, which Laura is too young to understand. It's especially interesting to watch her parents' responses to this. Ma is not happy. Laura is too young to be courted. But Pa knows a good man when he sees one, and he isn't going to do his half-pint the disservice of chasing this one away.
Almanzo starts to show an interest, which Laura is too young to understand. It's especially interesting to watch her parents' responses to this. Ma is not happy. Laura is too young to be courted. But Pa knows a good man when he sees one, and he isn't going to do his half-pint the disservice of chasing this one away.
February 22, 2019
A random string of thoughts I had while reading:
Why put the kitten on the cover if she's barely featured?
Remember when Laura slapped Mary across the face, why hasn't she slapped Nellie Olsen?
Hmm, this minstrel show is really solidifying that this will be the end of this series for me.
Why put the kitten on the cover if she's barely featured?
Remember when Laura slapped Mary across the face, why hasn't she slapped Nellie Olsen?
Hmm, this minstrel show is really solidifying that this will be the end of this series for me.
December 6, 2020
One of my favorites out of the whole series.
February 21, 2025
Reread, but apparently the first time on goodreads. I was really struck by how different the religious talk felt in this one. It seemed to me that it went from moralism, just trying to be good, in past books, to really thinking about the heart behind the actions in this one.
November 5, 2018
Better than the torrid slug of The Long Winter, but it has three major points against it:
- The Ingallses repeatedly eat tomatoes with sugar and cream as if this is a normal thing, and not, in fact, disgusting
- The uncomfortable blackface minstrel bit, hey-o!
- The continued character assassination of Eliza Jane.
The last one is a particular sticking point for me. Goddamn it, does Laura hate Eliza Jane, and goddamn it does it seem completely unjustified. She hates her because she's..um, too nice? (Won't hit the kids.) But then she hates her cause she's...not nice enough and punishes Laura's sister in a way that wasn't violent (in a time period when teachers routinely hit children, which Laura seems to think is totally sik af.) And in a later book she hates Eliza Jane cause she wants to help her brother organise his wedding? At least Nellie was a back-stabbing gossiping so and so. Eliza was just an inexperienced teacher whom Laura seemed to turn on because of misogyny. Ugh.
Also why tf is Carrie dying of Victorian Novel Disease? At least we know that Mary had an illness (possibly scarlet fever, possibly meningitis) and that's why she's blind, but Carrie is just..unspecified weakness. Maybe it's vitamin deficiency. Probably got rickets during that long winter.
I'm more of a fan of the earlier books when they weren't so fixated on wooing Almanzo's sexy horses with Almanzo as a secondary prize, and constantly talking about studying ("ooh I know what'd be a fun thing to do, a spelling and grammar competition!" - said absolutely no one.) I know, it was the 1880s and you had to find enjoyment wherever you can, but yikes.
edit: oh god I forgot the bit where they interrupted the story to recite the entire declaration of independence, which I skipped over because I'm not American and I don't care. Fuck you, Rose Wilder Lane!
- The Ingallses repeatedly eat tomatoes with sugar and cream as if this is a normal thing, and not, in fact, disgusting
- The uncomfortable blackface minstrel bit, hey-o!
- The continued character assassination of Eliza Jane.
The last one is a particular sticking point for me. Goddamn it, does Laura hate Eliza Jane, and goddamn it does it seem completely unjustified. She hates her because she's..um, too nice? (Won't hit the kids.) But then she hates her cause she's...not nice enough and punishes Laura's sister in a way that wasn't violent (in a time period when teachers routinely hit children, which Laura seems to think is totally sik af.) And in a later book she hates Eliza Jane cause she wants to help her brother organise his wedding? At least Nellie was a back-stabbing gossiping so and so. Eliza was just an inexperienced teacher whom Laura seemed to turn on because of misogyny. Ugh.
Also why tf is Carrie dying of Victorian Novel Disease? At least we know that Mary had an illness (possibly scarlet fever, possibly meningitis) and that's why she's blind, but Carrie is just..unspecified weakness. Maybe it's vitamin deficiency. Probably got rickets during that long winter.
I'm more of a fan of the earlier books when they weren't so fixated on wooing Almanzo's sexy horses with Almanzo as a secondary prize, and constantly talking about studying ("ooh I know what'd be a fun thing to do, a spelling and grammar competition!" - said absolutely no one.) I know, it was the 1880s and you had to find enjoyment wherever you can, but yikes.
edit: oh god I forgot the bit where they interrupted the story to recite the entire declaration of independence, which I skipped over because I'm not American and I don't care. Fuck you, Rose Wilder Lane!
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