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salston's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the Little House books. I read all of them to my older children and am reading them to my younger children. There is, however, material in this books that is hard to explain to younger children. Ma's dislike of the First Nations people for example. With older children I would discuss prejudice, but with small children they may only understand that Ma did not like those people. I ended up editing some sections and skipping others. Some would see that as censorship, but I think I am just sticking to age appropriate content.
Even with the difficult race issues in this book I love it and think Ingall's books are classics.
Even with the difficult race issues in this book I love it and think Ingall's books are classics.
jennajean's review against another edition
5.0
I adored Laura Ingalls Wilder as a little girl growing up in Montana...and can't wait to read these books to my kids someday.
lee_hillshire's review against another edition
It's late and I don't have much thinking left, but the cognitive dissonance surrounding this time period and pioneer mindset is really fascinating to me. I don't think we're much better these days, we just dissonate other things now.
bourquesbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
nicoleberning's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jencunn2024's review against another edition
1.0
I never read this previously, not even as a kid. I am of age and did watch the TV series as a young girl. I remember adoring Mary and Laura and the entire family and show. I’ve always remembered them fondly thinking of those characters as being genuine and good. I’ve always thought they promoted good will and love across nationality and race. But after reading the book, I know that’s Laura Ingalls did not write in any especially inclusive way even if it would have been the slightest bit ahead of her time. The book is xenophobic and at times filled with hate and gross misrepresentations based on fears, untruths, and stereotypes. If this book had done more to tamp down the ugliness of racism rather than promote it, I probably would still have given another star for an author whom would have attempted to build bridges of hope , empathy, and understanding. I did not realize how fearful those characters are in the book. There was no change or mutual understanding or change. Ingalls just perpetuated fears that she apparently experienced as a child pioneer. I’m not saying that was her fault but I expected more from her by the time she wrote these books. If this was the only problem with her book, I might be able to get past some of this if I could find more historical value. Unfortunately, her portrayal of Kansas hangs on by the last thread. Overall her stories and locations don’t seem to match. Her portrayal of life in Indian territory is very different than what We know history to be. I even struggled to match up descriptions of scenery and areas with her physical descriptions of place and what it would be like. The panther natrative was ridiculous and one would find it hard to even match up a potential mountain lion or bobcat story to those events. I’m glad I never tried to read this as a kid. I loved books and I think I would have hated this for a multitude of reasons. I would have hated the ugliness and disrespect for native Americans. I would have hated that even the Ingalls family was finding it hard pressed to recognize that they were the impostors inside the territory. I found most of the events unbelievable and the lengthy description of how Pa or Neighbors worked on various tasks to be poorly written, humdrum, and flat out boring. I think I would have felt that way as a kid tooo. But that’s just me personally.
The audio version does no better with the narrator overdramatizing, reading extremely slowly, and trying to imitate sounds to make it more exciting. Let the listener use their imagination some, particularly children! Most of it was just not good writing.
I am not a believer in banning books but it might be time to let this one turn into an example of bad literary history rather than to continue to promote it as children’s lit. If it continues to be republished, I’d rather see it done with thorough accurate counterpoints and summaries to contrast against this narrative as being bigoted and racist. I can see the novel or excerpts being used as teaching tools to show how far we’ve come from what was once common racism and xenophobia. But we need to not let it stand alone or possibly be misconstrued as actual history or acceptable words and attitudes toward people whom may be different than ourselves. Just take a moment to think about what it is like to read this now, or what it may have ever been like to read this as a non-white American. This book is just terrible to read and I would not recommend it. The irony is the only reason I read this now was for an upcoming discussion in our local book club that reads banned books.
As for the series, After reading this, I’m afraid to even tap into an old episode because I’m afraid it would disappoint me all over again. I think it’s time to move on. This novel doesn’t meet my definition of a classic which would involve a story that has some sort of timeless value. There is not enough truth in the prairie experience here for this book to have that status anymore. I’m guessing the show may be not as bad as the book but still holds some of the same feelings/narratives if not the direct language. I did see that there was a show reboot planned in 2020. Maybe they will change it to be inclusive somehow? One can only hope but I’m not holding my breath.
The audio version does no better with the narrator overdramatizing, reading extremely slowly, and trying to imitate sounds to make it more exciting. Let the listener use their imagination some, particularly children! Most of it was just not good writing.
I am not a believer in banning books but it might be time to let this one turn into an example of bad literary history rather than to continue to promote it as children’s lit. If it continues to be republished, I’d rather see it done with thorough accurate counterpoints and summaries to contrast against this narrative as being bigoted and racist. I can see the novel or excerpts being used as teaching tools to show how far we’ve come from what was once common racism and xenophobia. But we need to not let it stand alone or possibly be misconstrued as actual history or acceptable words and attitudes toward people whom may be different than ourselves. Just take a moment to think about what it is like to read this now, or what it may have ever been like to read this as a non-white American. This book is just terrible to read and I would not recommend it. The irony is the only reason I read this now was for an upcoming discussion in our local book club that reads banned books.
As for the series, After reading this, I’m afraid to even tap into an old episode because I’m afraid it would disappoint me all over again. I think it’s time to move on. This novel doesn’t meet my definition of a classic which would involve a story that has some sort of timeless value. There is not enough truth in the prairie experience here for this book to have that status anymore. I’m guessing the show may be not as bad as the book but still holds some of the same feelings/narratives if not the direct language. I did see that there was a show reboot planned in 2020. Maybe they will change it to be inclusive somehow? One can only hope but I’m not holding my breath.
sconroy9697's review against another edition
5.0
I found my old 70s copy and read it the other night and loved it just as much as when I was a kid. I'm going to re-read the rest of the series!
chelsayoder's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed much of this--the excitement laura felt and that really came through in the writing-about living in a wagon and building their homestead. Several great stories about Jack the dog and their neighbor Mr Edwards.
But, I felt constantly irritated at Ma for her dislike of the Indians as well as the general hatred for them--when they moved into the Natives home!
Also while Pa is a lovable man, the fact that he would uproot such a young family, put them in many dangerous situations, say he will never leave this new land, then again abruptly drag his family away from their home to another location....really bothered me.
I know it's an awesome classic, and I did love it mostly, just not totally.
But, I felt constantly irritated at Ma for her dislike of the Indians as well as the general hatred for them--when they moved into the Natives home!
Also while Pa is a lovable man, the fact that he would uproot such a young family, put them in many dangerous situations, say he will never leave this new land, then again abruptly drag his family away from their home to another location....really bothered me.
I know it's an awesome classic, and I did love it mostly, just not totally.
dominic_piacentini's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The one when little men steal land and little girls steal beads and then they all get malaria
the_berries_books's review against another edition
2.0
Had to read this for a book project in elementary school and I kept falling asleep it was so hard to get through