When I was in my first year at the University of Idaho, my English 101 instructor assigned us to keep a daily journal which she occasionally reviewed and graded. She did not elaborate on the assignment beyond “keep a journal," and I had no idea what she wanted from me. Further, I had no confidence in my thoughts and opinions and was too stressed to experiment with words. I came out of her class thinking I was stupid and that writing was not my thing. But that concept of keeping a journal rather than a diary has stayed with me. I think this is a fine example of how the grade you receive is not reflective of the value you take from a class.
I was thinking the other day – you just don’t know where you’ll find the ideas that help you. In the Lewiston Tribune “Arts and Entertainment” section a few weeks ago, I read a review of a recently published book, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farm Journalist: Writings from the Ozarks. This book is a compilation of columns written by Mrs. Wilder on women and country life for the Missouri Ruralist. The review states that many interesting, grassroots-level glimpses of a time of great change in American history can be found in this work. It goes on to say that the repetitive nature of the columns keeps the book from being truly interesting and that this is the kind of book for which libraries are made. I suppose the reviewer means that only dedicated researchers would find it truly interesting.
Well, maybe I am that ardent researcher because I can really relate to these comments also from the review: “Wilder was an ardent defender of country living at a time when more Americans than ever were leaving the farms for town or city life. . . . Wilder never strayed too far from her favorite themes of hard work, thrift and determination in the running of a home and raising a family. . . . [The book] is a useful reminder that the life’s work of many Americans amounted largely to keeping the family warm, well-fed and happy.”
Despite the negative comments, I can hardly wait to read /own this book and apparently I’m not the only one. This morning I called Kling’s to inquire about it and the sales associate provided that it is currently out of stock with their distributors. She said they would order it for me if I could wait. I agreed; I like to buy locally when I can.
I was thinking the other day – you just don’t know where you’ll find the ideas that help you. In the Lewiston Tribune “Arts and Entertainment” section a few weeks ago, I read a review of a recently published book, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farm Journalist: Writings from the Ozarks. This book is a compilation of columns written by Mrs. Wilder on women and country life for the Missouri Ruralist. The review states that many interesting, grassroots-level glimpses of a time of great change in American history can be found in this work. It goes on to say that the repetitive nature of the columns keeps the book from being truly interesting and that this is the kind of book for which libraries are made. I suppose the reviewer means that only dedicated researchers would find it truly interesting.
Well, maybe I am that ardent researcher because I can really relate to these comments also from the review: “Wilder was an ardent defender of country living at a time when more Americans than ever were leaving the farms for town or city life. . . . Wilder never strayed too far from her favorite themes of hard work, thrift and determination in the running of a home and raising a family. . . . [The book] is a useful reminder that the life’s work of many Americans amounted largely to keeping the family warm, well-fed and happy.”
Despite the negative comments, I can hardly wait to read /own this book and apparently I’m not the only one. This morning I called Kling’s to inquire about it and the sales associate provided that it is currently out of stock with their distributors. She said they would order it for me if I could wait. I agreed; I like to buy locally when I can.
[I date the above picture at about 1901. Grandma Ina sits in the foreground with her four children -- Myrtle, Ethel, Pearl, and Irl. Aunt Ida Dickson, Ina's sister-in-law, sits on the pile of lumber. The man is Grandpa Jack. It appears that they are either finishing or adding on to the log cabin that was their home for nearly 20 years. My dad was born in that cabin in 1904.]
What a day!!! And no, we didn't have a snow day again today.:-) So I decided to "run away from school" and check out your blog. Thanks for the break!
ReplyDeleteNow, on to the important thing--I own this book!!! It's actualy not new, I saw it advertised maybe ten years ago, and asked for it for Christmas. Dan got it for me, and I've loved reading it. The review is somewhat true--there is some repetition, but if you just read a few essays at a time, not trying to read the whole book as one would do a novel, it will be fine. I love her writing for the same reasons you think you would--her ideals and thoughts echo mine. I think the whole world could use a little (lot?) of Laura Ingalls Wilder!
I'm glad you ran away to this spot. I'm really surprised that the book isn't new. While the review doesn't say it's new, it certainly reads as though it is. Why do you think it was reviewed at this time? I guess maybe I just assumed that book reviews have to do with new books. I wonder if this edition has a new publisher. At any rate, thanks for your input on that.
ReplyDeleteI found the answer! Mine is entitled "Little House in the Ozarks" edited by Stephen W. Hines and published by Thomas Nelson in 1991. I found the review you read online (our LMT having become stove food), and it is now being published by the University of Missouri Press under a new name with publishing date of December 2007. You are correct--new publisher. The book is still available under the old title through Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI love the internet! Detectives 'R' Us. :-)
Like Hallie, you must be psychic. I also came to the computer to do some research on the book. But the computer also has its frustrations -- Amazon didn't recognize me! Well, I think I'm at the end of my rope for tonight. Like Scarlett, I'll think about it tomorrow. Thanks for all the info and the help.
ReplyDeleteI decided I really needed to know more about the book as published by University of Missouri Press. At their website, I read that the new book has 42 more entries than the 1991 book. Also, some entries in the previous edition are presented more fully. I think I'll let my order with Kling's stand. Thanks, Chris for alerting me to this. Do you have other Wilder books?
ReplyDelete