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exceptionalcephalopod's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I read this book probably 25 years ago as a kid and it made such an impression on me that when I finally tracked down the name and got a copy, I was surprised at how many scenes and little lines I remembered. A beautiful, sad little book and a more realistic look at the loneliness and isolation of living away from society at this time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse and Gun violence
amandagstevens's review
2.0
This book is very Willa Cather in its portrayal of the harshness of prairie life, painting death and despair in vivid strokes. I'm sure if I read it today, I would better understand the author's intent than I did when I was nine or ten years old and picked this up from the library because it looked like a companion to Little House on the Prairie. What I remember of this book is that the images of death disturbed and stuck with me (verbatim) for years. The writing and topics dealt with here do not seem appropriate for early elementary; yet the cover and page length make it doubtful a middle-schooler would go anywhere near this. I'm not sure who the book can be recommended to.
margaretann84's review
4.0
A powerful little novel that differs from similar stories on the topic of prairie life by not shying away from some of the negatives: death, depression, violence, and the uncertainty that came from living in a harsh place miles from the nearest town--or even neighbor. The sociological aspect of it was more interesting than the protagonist, but it is still a great book.
4/5 on here, 8/10 for myself
4/5 on here, 8/10 for myself
colyjo's review
4.0
"We both knew exactly what was out the window. The lonely prairie, only to her it wasn't a comfort like it was to me, like the comfort of a blank wall without too many things on it, or a stretch of clean, flawless sand down at the river."
Simultaneously beautiful and heart-breaking, this story tells of the harsh life on the Nebraska prairie, with unromanticized simplicity and innocence.
Simultaneously beautiful and heart-breaking, this story tells of the harsh life on the Nebraska prairie, with unromanticized simplicity and innocence.
radio_s's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 stars
A short, sweet, sad little book. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot, and I especially liked viewing the world through Louisa's eyes - how sad events can be sharpened or softened through the lens of childhood.
However, the reason why I knocked off two stars was because of the way Native Americans were treated in the book. It was abysmal, and while other reviewers may have objected to the heavy themes of the book, I found that the racist undertones were a far bigger issue here.
A short, sweet, sad little book. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot, and I especially liked viewing the world through Louisa's eyes - how sad events can be sharpened or softened through the lens of childhood.
However, the reason why I knocked off two stars was because of the way Native Americans were treated in the book. It was abysmal, and while other reviewers may have objected to the heavy themes of the book, I found that the racist undertones were a far bigger issue here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
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