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The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie by Wendy McClure
meghan111's review
3.0
If you’ve ever found yourself up late at night, buying a replica working butter churn on eBay, you should relate to this. In her mid 30s, a woman in Chicago finds herself revisiting her favorite childhood books, the Little House on the Prairie series. Fueled by nostalgia, she embarks on a Laura Ingalls Wilder obsession and tries to discover what it was about the books that so captivated her as a child. This leads her to visit several sites– from the homesteads to the museums – accompanied by her long-suffering, kind of disinterested husband. She’s exploring her interest in the historical objects and the pioneer way of life that is described with such attention to detail in the series. Along the way, she talks about the difficult character of Rose Wilder, Laura’s daughter and co-author, whose life was very different than Laura’s childhood on the prairie and who was in some ways an adventurer, but also a deeply unhappy woman. The difference between the Laura of the books and the TV show also bothers McClure – but really, the appeal of this book is revisiting your childhood pleasures as an adult, seeing them differently and letting them shed light on your current life.
melledotca's review
3.0
Key learnings: Little House on the Prairie books/Laura Ingalls Wilder/the pioneer life are really big among homeschoolers, evangelical Christians, and End Times nutters. And perhaps all three at once in some cases.
It's an interesting read for someone like me, who's of exactly the demographic she talks about a lot - females who grew up in the 70s and 80s and owned the Scholastic sets of the books, etc. However, I kinda stopped there and some people became obsessed. I had no idea there was so much Laura scholarship, and, I admit, I find the Little House literary criticism laughable.
And while I would like to see the farm/museum in Missouri, the idea of driving potentially a couple thousand miles to see a field or a recreation of a barn really doesn't float my boat. But again, some people do it repeatedly.
In any case, a really interesting window into a sliver of culture, and a total nostalgia trip. I might just read the series again. :)
It's an interesting read for someone like me, who's of exactly the demographic she talks about a lot - females who grew up in the 70s and 80s and owned the Scholastic sets of the books, etc. However, I kinda stopped there and some people became obsessed. I had no idea there was so much Laura scholarship, and, I admit, I find the Little House literary criticism laughable.
And while I would like to see the farm/museum in Missouri, the idea of driving potentially a couple thousand miles to see a field or a recreation of a barn really doesn't float my boat. But again, some people do it repeatedly.
In any case, a really interesting window into a sliver of culture, and a total nostalgia trip. I might just read the series again. :)
sandin954's review
3.0
While I've never had the compulsion to recreate the world of the Little House books I was a pretty big fan of the series so, for the most part, I enjoyed this audio. The parts where the author traveled to the various Little House sites were my favorites and I also enjoyed learning more about [a:Rose Wilder Lane|5456|Rose Wilder Lane|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1195976419p2/5456.jpg]. The book was a bit too long, though, and some things the author found fascinating did little for me. The audio version reader, Teri Clark Linden, did a good job.
amysbrittain's review
3.0
The first section had me completely addicted. As a former avid Little House (book and TV show) fan, I was right there with McClure. It inevitably dragged as she visited important Little House sites and tracked the not-always-intriguing fact-vs-fiction element throughout Wilder's writing, but it was a must-read for a girl growing up in the 80s, so there was really no avoiding it in my case.
amanda_rousu's review
3.0
I wanted to love this book...I really did. I liked a lot of it. I found myself reminiscing about my childhood love of all things Laura. Since it is unlikely I'll ever visit all of the Little House sites, it was interesting to read about the ones I haven't visited. I also enjoyed the bits about Rose Wilder Lane as I haven't read as much about her.
There was something unsatisfying and frustrating about the last third of the book. The author comes across as a little more self obsessed than enjoyable (you have to be a bit self obsessed to write your own story before old age) What began as an endearing tale of revisiting childhood obsessions, devolves into navel gazing and judgment about those Laura fans and even Laura sites that didn't fit her ethos. Her reaction to the DeSmet site particularly bothered me, but that is a town that is dear to my heart, so I may be too hard on her for this.
I'm left unsure how I feel about this book. It was good, but not good all at the same time.
secreteeyore's review
1.0
Burst my LHOTP fantasy into a million pieces. I hate that you can just tell the author is visiting these places and doing these things for a book deal. It is pathetic! Do not read if you loved the Ingalls' family growing up- McClure turns them almost unlovable by the end.
amibunk's review
3.0
There are several things I enjoyed about this book. First, anyone who can immediately call to mind all those details from the Little House series is aces, in my opinion. I love knowing that I am not the only Laura Ingalls Wilder obsessed person out there. Also, I enjoyed Wendy McClure's easy-like-Sunday-morning writing. It was simple and engaging, without trying to be too humorous or cutesy.
Frankly, if the book would have simply been about describing her love for all things Laura and the trips she took to the various historical sites, I would have given this book four stars. However, at various points, the author seemed to feel compelled to make this book into a wide, sweeping, learning experience. The trouble came when I couldn't seem to understand exactly what she was searching for. Then end, especially, seemed ill-fitted to me. I don't really see how this year or so fascination with Laura tied into accepting the loss of her mother.
Still, if you love Laura and her books, you just might enjoy yourself with this novel.
Frankly, if the book would have simply been about describing her love for all things Laura and the trips she took to the various historical sites, I would have given this book four stars. However, at various points, the author seemed to feel compelled to make this book into a wide, sweeping, learning experience. The trouble came when I couldn't seem to understand exactly what she was searching for. Then end, especially, seemed ill-fitted to me. I don't really see how this year or so fascination with Laura tied into accepting the loss of her mother.
Still, if you love Laura and her books, you just might enjoy yourself with this novel.
greengoddess71's review
4.0
Brought me back to when I was little & thought I was the only girl who obsessed over these books!!
ori_gina_lity's review
5.0
Growing up I was enamoured by Laura Ingalls Wilder so it was no wonder I’d love The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure which recounts the author’s humorous and enchanting Little House on the Prairie experience as she rediscovers her forgotten childhood love. Although my years of being absorbed in Laura’s life are still recent I greatly appreciated McClure’s witty and genuine observations as she treks to each and every Little House location across the US.
ltsakmann's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I am so glad that it was recommended to me. The appeal of this book is that it is entirely accessible even to those who are not " Little House " fans. I read the LHOP series when I was a young girl but by no means was I as enthusiastic about them as the author. I can relate to the level of obsessiveness and enthusiasm that the author feels for the books. I think most people have something in life be it books or tv shows that they obsess over. ( Side note: "Moonlight" will come back it will and you will never convince me of anything differently!) It is the dedication and love of LHOP that really comes through while reading " The Wilder Life". The story about the author trying to replicate her Laura world and accidentally camping with a bunch of end of the world believers was my favorite. Give this book a shot!