[Review] Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

/ Annette / 5 Comments

Publisher and Publication Date: HarperCollins. 1932. The edition I read is 2016.
Genre: Children’s literature. Historical fiction.
Format: e-Book. Kindle edition.
Pages: 224.
Source: Public library.
Rating: Excellent.

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957)

Further links to read about the author or series: Biography/ History Timeline for the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder/ Little House on the Prairie/ Pioneer Girl Project/ Laura Ingalls Park and Museum.

Link for the book at Amazon/ Barnes and Noble/ Abe Books/ ThriftBooks.

Book one in the series.

Summary:

Big Woods of Wisconsin.

The year is 1869.

Laura was 2 years old when she and family left the Big Woods of Wisconsin and travel by wagon to a new life on the Kansas prairie.

They left behind their warm log home, garden, farm, and large extended family.

They took their little Brindle Bulldog, Jack. He trotted along under the wagon.

Before they leave their home in the Big Woods, I am given an education about their life of living on the land. Pa fishes and hunts for deer. I am told how he prepares the fish and meat for storage and eating later. They have a garden. They kill and hog, and they use all of it for either eating or use in something else.

The travel is treacherous. A story of them crossing a frozen lake is concerning.

The faithful bulldog has a difficult life following the wagon. He is actually tied up, so if he stumbles etc.—that is not a good result.

My Thoughts:

I like all of the Little House series. Little House in the Big Woods is one of my favorites.

I expressed in the previous review of Farmer Boy my thoughts about the criticism of the books. Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in history. People in history don’t think or act as people in the modern world. She was born in the 19th century. Her knowledge and understanding of people were not from school, social media, work, being out in the public, traveling-especially travel to another country, or other media that would give her an education about people groups. She learned from her own family and close friends about “other types of people.” It does not make it okay to use words about other people groups that are discriminating or disrespectful. In addition, words are changing even now. The words used to describe people and groups of people. I just read collective nouns are becoming common in reference to groups of people. And the term that was once used-Indian or American Indian, moved to Native American, and now, another term is used, Indigenous People.

What I love about Little House in the Big Woods is that it is a children’s story about a little girl, and so it holds an innocence about her outlook on life and especially in regard to her family. I can read the story without thinking about “why is she not using better language about other people groups.” She is a little girl, and she lives in a small world surrounded by her family who also lives in their own small world. Society has not gotten to the point where they understand that it is not polite and respectful to use certain words.

Little girls generally idolize their parents. My own maternal grandmother who was raised primarily by her Papa because her mother had died after giving birth to a 6th baby, she idolized her father. Even as an 80-year-old woman she idolized him. In reminiscing she called him her “dear Papa.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the stories from the voice and perspective of the child that she was at the time of the stories. She did not add her knowledge and feelings as an adult in retrospect.

The first reason I love Little House in the Big Woods is it is an endearing and loving story. I want to clarify. The story is not perfect. The story is not biographical. The story is based on her life. And it is from the voice of a child. I still love the endearing and enduring nature of the story.

Generations of children, boys and girls, have read the series of books and learned about life in 19th century in America. White Americans. Farmers. And a family that loved each other deeply and stayed together. They persevered through natural disasters, and farming disasters, sicknesses, poverty, and wrong choices.

It must have been difficult to leave behind the secure comforts of the log cabin in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, and travel to an unknown area-A.K.A.-a wilderness. Ma Ingalls packed up and moved. Obeying her husband’s wishes. I do not know if she questioned him behind closed doors about this decision. In the year of 2024, I am not relocating by covered wagon to an unknown area because my husband has a bee in his bonnet. But in the mid 1800s, women-most women obeyed.

I love how Pa is playful with his children. Their Ma is serious-minded. Their Pa takes the time to play with his children.

I love the illustrations by Garth Williams. He also illustrated the book, Charlotte’s Web.

I enjoyed reading about how they live off of the land. How they use all of a hog, not wasting. How the fish is caught and salted down to preserve. How they gathered walnuts and other types of nuts outdoors to eat and preserve. I love how they celebrate Christmas.

I felt sorry for Jack. The little dog who had a feisty temperament. I worried more about him in the travel then the Ingalls family.

[Review] The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

/ Annette / 1 Comment

Publisher and Publication Date: Oxford World’s Classics. A first edition and a revised second edition were published in the summer of 1848. The Clarendon text, and this edition, are “based on the first issue of the first edition.” This includes Anne Bronte’s “Preface.” It also has “most” of the edited corrections from the second edition. These corrections are in grammar or to make the sentences clear. I will speak more on this in the “My Thoughts” section. My Oxford publication is 1998.
Genre: Classic British literature. 19th century.
Format: Paperback.
Pages: I count 523 pages with print.
Source: Purchase.
Rating: I had mixed feelings about the story in the beginning. After completing the story, I have given the book an excellent rating.

Link at Amazon for the Kindle edition which does not have all of the supplemental material of the Oxford World’s Classic edition.

Link to Barnes and Noble: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

To read more information about this book: Oxford World’s Classics-The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Summary:

Rural England-in the north. 1821-1830. Conclusion is dated 1847.

The story is written also in an epistolary and journal entry format.

Helen Huntingdon and her young son move into an old manor called Wildfell Hall. The property is described as “wild looking.”

She is an artist. A painter.

Neighbors in the village speculate about Helen. They make assumptions and judgements. They gossip.

Mr. Gilbert Markham makes eye contact with Mrs. Huntingdon during a church service. He too quickly makes a judgement about her based-on presumption.

On a day when Mr. Markham was out with his dog and gun, they had an encounter. Their first official meeting did not go well.

Later, Mrs. Huntingdon, and her son, Arthur, are at the Markham home where she is criticized for how she is raising her son.

Mrs. Huntingdon and Mr. Markham begin a friendship. And feelings develop.

My Thoughts:

I love reading about the background of the writing of stories. This is why I enjoyed reading the “Introduction”, “Note on the Text”, the two-page spread of edits in the three editions, a bibliography, a chronology of Anne Bronte; and a “Preface To The Second Edition” by Anne Bronte where she addresses the “critics” who remark on whether the writer was a man or a woman and how the sexes are portrayed.

Before reading the story, I had read it is a study of and has a theme of relationships. I agree. It’s a huge and busy theme of varying types of relationships. I enjoyed creating a mental list of the different types of relationships the book includes.

Some examples of relationships: courting, marriage, male and male friendship, male and female friendship, mother and young son, mother and adult son, brothers and sisters, and father and young son.

Other themes in the story are gossip, criticism, and judging people. For example, Helen Huntingdon is criticized because of the way she has chosen to raise her son. However, the older mother of Mr. Markham who is the critical person, she does not see her own choices and faults.

Helen is criticized and judged because she makes a bold decision to flee her tormentor and abuser. She tries to remain private. She wants to protect her son. But the village speculates about the kind of woman she is, not knowing the circumstance.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a keen observer of people. I love this. I love it that it includes different types of character traits and lifestyles. From those who are resilient and private to those who are manipulative and calculating. The pious, critical, and judging to those who have compassion. A woman in the early 19th century is able to secure a reputable income to a man who is secretive and has an addiction.

I love stories where the characters have a transformation. They were headed in one direction of thought and idea and action, and they turn around to see things clearer.

In this story, I read about patient people. I love patient people. It is a breath of fresh air. I love to read about people who are patient with one another, and they wait for the appropriate time. This is rare. People generally want what they want right now.

Early in the story, Mr. Markham lashes out at another man in a rage of jealousy. I hate this. I did not want Helen to have anything to do with an abuser. I put the book down and thought about not continuing. But I can’t do that. I had to know the rest of the story.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is one of my favorite classic literature stories because of the themes, the strong female lead character, the atmosphere and tension, the plot, and the conversations or dialogue.

Further themes in the story: marriage and abuse, addictions, infidelity, mother and young child, injustice, justice, sacrifice, honor, wisdom, shame, fear, guilt, courage, bravery, honesty, jealousy, beauty, and hope.

I’m not a fan of journal entries and epistolary writing in a story, but it works well for this book.

I dislike the reverend being a prejudice and “intolerant” person. He is not helpful. He had the chance to be of help and to shepherd Mrs. Huntingdon, he failed. Yet, I know from life that this is sometimes the case.

[Review] Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

/ Annette / Leave a comment

Publisher and Publication Date: HarperCollins. First published in 1933. My edition was published in 2008.
Genre: Children’s book. Young Adult literature. American literature.
Format: e-Book.
Pages: 384.
Source: Public library.
Rating: Good to very good.

Link for the book at Amazon/ Barnes and Noble.

Book 2 in the series.

Summary:

Farmer Boy is book 2 in the Little House series of books Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote. Farmer Boy is not directly linked to any of the other books in the series. It is a standalone.

Farmer Boy is based on the childhood of Almanzo Wilder who was Laura’s husband.

The story is from 67 years (1866-67) before the publication of the book (1933.)

The time period is actually before Laura Ingalls Wilder was born.

The location is northern New York state.

Almanzo’s siblings are introduced early in the story: Royal, Eliza Jane, and Alice. The eldest sister Laura and a youngest brother Perley Day are not in the story.

The story follows the life of a farm boy named Almanzo. Some examples of life experiences: daily chores, caring for farm animals, what homelife was like, school, a local fair, dealing with mean kids, and a young teacher who had to deal with mean kids.

My Thoughts:

I read Farmer Boy a longtime ago. I never owned a copy like the other books in the series. It is not my favorite.

I had no idea, until reading this book recently and having a discussion with my best Blogger/book review friend Becky at Becky’s Book Reviews, that Farmer Boy is not always liked. The book is actually shunned by some readers as well as the other Little House series books. Some readers dislike the racial or stereo-type slang words. Some readers dislike the father of Laura. They believe he was selfish in moving his family whenever he had a notion to relocate. Some readers don’t understand if the books are historical fiction or part biography; and what parts in the books are true.

I don’t like racial slurs. I have a daughter-in-law who is Native American, Apache. I love her like my own daughter. And to think that if someone would call her a derogatory-put down-racial slang name makes my blood pressure go up.

The Little House series are books that were written in the early part of the 20th century about people who lived in the 19th century. These people don’t think, talk, or live like we do. That does not mean that it was okay to do those things. But it is history. A lot of history is wrong, inappropriate, gross, and other words I can think of. I will read the books, and if conversation or discussion is needed then great.

The main problem I have with the book is it is a telling story rather than a story that shares what people feel and think. It does not reveal in a story like manner. It often reads like a list of things that the characters are working on.

I believe it is a very good book to share the history of what farm life was like in this time period. In addition, how shoes are made by a cobbler, how hogs are killed and butchered and prepared, the process of crops, how they cared for animals, foods eaten at meals, the clothes they wore and how they were made, society and culture (includes manners) of this period, and the Christmas festivity they enjoyed.

If a young person is learning about how people lived, especially children in the 19th century America, this book is a help. However, the parent or teacher will need to engage the student or students in further conversation about how people thought and reacted towards people of other races in this time period.


[Review] The Borrowed House by Hilda van Stockum

/ Annette / Leave a comment

Publisher and Publication Date: Purple House Press. E-book edition 2016. First published in 1975.
Genre: Historical fiction. Young adult fiction. Children’s fiction. Coming of age story.
Format: E-book.
Pages: 191.
Source: Self-purchase.
Rating: Good to very good.

The Borrowed House is for ages 11 and up.

Link for the book @ Amazon.

Link for the book at Purple House Press.

To read a biography, and see photos of Hilda van Stockum, and read several reviews of her books: Plumfield and Paideia.

The National Gallery of Ireland: Hilda van Stockum.

Summary:

The time period is World War II.

Janna is a German girl living in the Black Forest area of Germany. She is 12.

Janna’s parents are German citizens and actors, and they are living in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They live in a borrowed house taken from people who were “removed.”

Janna understands that at some point she will join her parents in Amsterdam. She has recently gotten the part in a play. She will portray Brunhilde. Before she can take part in the play, she is told that she will be joining her parents.

On the train from Germany to Amsterdam, Netherlands, Janna sees a freight train that has padlocked cars with people inside, and there are guards. Janna notices but is told to hush.

Janna is a German citizen and believes in the ideology of Nazism and Hitler.

After living in the beautiful, borrowed house in Amsterdam, Janna’s insight and perspective changes.

My Thoughts:

The Borrowed House is a heavy story in regard to serious themes, plot, the mood of the story, and the war that is taking place.

There is a scene in the story that can create uncomfortableness in the reader. An adult man takes advantage of Janna in wanting a kiss from her. He is flirting and taking advantage of her innocence.

When the story begins Janna idolizes the Nazi policy and agenda. She is a proud German. It is easy to make her a villain and hate the entire book. It is a challenge to read a story when the characters do not believe as the reader. When the reader knows the full story of Nazi atrocities. The Borrowed House is about fictional people who lived in the past, and who during the story either were ignorant of or ignored what was going on with the Nazi’s and the Holocaust. Not to mention to horrors of what they did to other people groups.

What I enjoyed the most in reading this book is Janna is not the typical character in this type of story. She is not someone I’d want to be friends with. She is not someone who is nice. She is not someone who will be considered likable. However, she gave me a different viewpoint. It helps that she has a transformation in her character. Later, I can compare who she was before to who she is towards the end of the story.

Janna’s parents are secondary characters. To me they remind me of props in a play. They are necessary for the story, but they are at times a little hazy for me to see, especially her father. It is possible that because I dislike them, I want them to go away.

Themes in the story: war, abuse, trust, coming of age, suffering, honesty, good and evil, innocence, guilt, conformity, tolerance, dreams, resistance, injustice, survival, honor, sacrifice, and family.

The story has both inner and outward conflicts.

The mood of the entire story is somber, and at many points troubling and sad.

If a young person reads The Borrowed House, it is a good idea for them and the parent or teacher to have a conversation. There may need to be some clarification, or the young person may need to talk about how they feel about the story.

[Review] Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen

/ Annette / 2 Comments

Publisher and Publication Date: Harcourt Young Classics. First published 1956. Republished by Clarion Books in 2003.
Genre: Young adult literature. Ages 8 to 12.
Pages: 256 (according to Goodreads.)
Format: Kindle e-book.
Source: Library copy.
Rating: Excellent.

Virginia Sorensen (1912-1991)

The book was illustrated by Joe and Beth Krush.

Miracles on Maple Hill is a 1957 John Newbery Medal winner.

Link @ Amazon for the book.

Summary:

Marly is the main character. She is 10. She has an older brother named Joe. He is 12. Their parents are Dale and Lee.

Dale was a prisoner-of-war. The particular war is not stated. I am guessing it is the Korean War.

Their apartment is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Maple Hill, where most of the story is centered is in the rural area of Pennsylvania.

Miracles on Maple Hill is a family story, a story that shows how PTSD impacts families, and the beautiful rural setting of Maple Hill.

My Thoughts:

I came across this book browsing through the e-books at the library. I’d not heard of it before. Because my own son has PTSD which is post-traumatic-stress-disorder—post war, I was drawn to this story. I am also drawn to the story because it is a Newbery Medal winner. And for other reasons. For example, the front cover is lovely, and it is a coming-of-age story.

Several reasons why I feel this book is excellent:

  1. It has a theme that is not written about enough. Post-traumatic-stress-disorder. Its impact on the individual and on the family members. I want to mention, the story does not go into great details about Dale’s symptoms. But it mentions he startles easily. He is jumpy. He does not sleep well. He is not at peace. He is depressed. I picked up on these things, but a child reading this book might not. At this time, in the 1950s, Dale would not have had support groups, therapy, or medication to take.
  2. Marly is depicted as the younger sister perfectly. The kid sister who is eager to share “information” with her brother. The brother she probably idolizes. At the least, she looks up to. During the story, I see her maturity. It is not in a big way. As the story timeline is about a year. Marly matures a little in how she understands her family and life. She is at an age when things are beginning to come together-moving away from childlike thinking and towards the teenage years. She is able to put things together a little better.
  3. One of the points about Miracles on Maple Hill is Virginia Sorensen has the ability to be subtle in how her characters slowly realize things. In other words, she lets the story reveal certain things at just the right time. I love this.
  4. I love the patience, kindness, consideration, unselfishness, understanding, and great love the family has for one another. It is beautifully displayed in action and at times in sacrifice. So, Miracles on Maple Hill is also a teaching story.
  5. I love the descriptions of the beautiful scenery of the rural area of Pennsylvania. The seasons are remarked on to their individual beauty. The story reminds me that there is healing in nature. To watch birds. To plant a garden.
  6. Marly tells the story. It is her point of view. A child’s point of view.