Krithika Ravishankar Ravishankar từ Audrain County từ Audrain County

Some recent press on Wilder led me back to these books...and you really can't read just one. I remain disappointed that they haven't had the impact on my kids that they had on me - just couldn't get them to read this series. Thoughts from the 2014 read-through: - I had forgotten how much music was printed in the books. So many examples of hymns, and other songs throughout. - The casual racism in the books is hard to read today. Ma hates Indians, Pa participates in a blackface performance - these are presented as normal, not something to be concerned with. - Interesting to put this in context of when the books were published - right around the Depression/WW2. I think the self-reliance themes probably align very well with the issues facing the country at this time. Additionally, having the family face hardships (eg The Long Winter) fits with the prevailing problems facing other families at this time. Also noted some throw-away comments about Carrie not recovering quickly from the Long Winter. How many readers at this time would have siblings with nutrition issues, or other types of lingering illness? - I was surprised by how much fashion is in the later books - especially These Happy Golden Years. I'm sure it was a conscious decision as Laura's audience had grown up with her. - Reading through as an adult I definitely noted the not-so-happy sections. My overall feeling at the end of the readthrough was more one of contentment, but not "they lived happily ever after" - which again I think is reflective of the times both for the book setting, and for when the books were published. Overall: I can't judge these books without remembering sitting on the steps at my elementary school with my library copy. They are a significant part of my childhood, so the "remembered rating" stands.

Ewww. I love this book. And yet I still love meat.