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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
So much hardship through one incredible winter. In this book we start to see some scenes from Almanzo’s perspective, too. There’s a remarkable moment early on when an elderly Native American goes out of his way to warn the European settlers how bad the winter will be.
However when Pa refers to seeing this man in conversation with Ma, her reaction is ugly.
"’What Indian?' Ma asked him. She looked as if she was smelling the smell of an Indian whenever she said the word. Ma despised Indians. She was afraid of them, too. There are some good Indians, Pa always insisted. Now he added, 'And they know some things that we don't.’”
However when Pa refers to seeing this man in conversation with Ma, her reaction is ugly.
"’What Indian?' Ma asked him. She looked as if she was smelling the smell of an Indian whenever she said the word. Ma despised Indians. She was afraid of them, too. There are some good Indians, Pa always insisted. Now he added, 'And they know some things that we don't.’”
This might be my favorite book in the series. Something about reading it in the snowiest month here in maine made it a fun comparison for the kids, lots of talks about animal instincts, how to prevent frostbite, etc.. . We had a lot of conversations throughout this book and it ended with spring coming which we are awakening to here as well.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Wow, yet another wonderful addition to the Little House on the Prairie series. For those of you who have never read the series, it is the author, Laura Ingalls Wilder's, tales about her life growing up with her Ma, Pa, and sisters while they traveled by wagon and lived in some pretty remote areas. From Indian territory, to Minnesota, to DeSmet, they did a lot of traveling and a lot of hard surviving in these pioneer days.
This particular book involves a very long winter in the town of DeSmet where they had settled. Laura is about fourteen and a big help to her family. When the family can tell that it will be a rough winter, and an Indian fortells seven months of snow and blizzards, Pa decides to move the family to town in his empty store building to wait out the winter. It turns out to be just as well because even in town, where all the supplies are, the winter proves to be too much for the townspeople to handle. Resorting to twisting hay for firewood the Ingalls do all they can to survive. However, since the trains can't get through food starts to become scare and the townspeople begin to starve. Their only hope now is that Almanzo Wilder (Laura's future husband) and a schoolmate of hers can make it in search of some elusive wheat that a homesteader has before there's no food left at all in the town.
The characters in this, and I say characters because they are somewhat embellished by Wilder, are pretty wonderful. They all have their unique attributes although some don't get a lot of time dedicated to them in the book (like Grace, Laura's youngest sister). I do have to say that I'm disappointed that in all her books she never mentions her brother who died as a baby. Its like he vanished. It was also nice to see Almanzo Wilder in this. He did appear briefly in the last book and of course Farmer Boy was all about him, but this book really marks the start of where he starts interacting with Laura's family.
Wilder writes very well for children. The language is easy to understand, as are the descriptions. She really makes her life vivid through her words and although things are much much different now, it is easy to picture how she lived. There are a couple of things that could be found offensive in this book. Ma does not like Indians, and doesn't have a problem voicing her opinions. Almanzo also makes a comment that could be potentially offensive as well. Regardless though, it is still worth the read.
Its such a charming series and I always enjoy reading it at least once a year. This book in particular interested me just because of all the hardship they go through. Its amazing how they kept it together and survived (even cheerfully if the book is to be believed) despite all the odds against them. I highly recommend this book and the series for all ages.
The Long Winter
Copyright 1940
335 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2010
This particular book involves a very long winter in the town of DeSmet where they had settled. Laura is about fourteen and a big help to her family. When the family can tell that it will be a rough winter, and an Indian fortells seven months of snow and blizzards, Pa decides to move the family to town in his empty store building to wait out the winter. It turns out to be just as well because even in town, where all the supplies are, the winter proves to be too much for the townspeople to handle. Resorting to twisting hay for firewood the Ingalls do all they can to survive. However, since the trains can't get through food starts to become scare and the townspeople begin to starve. Their only hope now is that Almanzo Wilder (Laura's future husband) and a schoolmate of hers can make it in search of some elusive wheat that a homesteader has before there's no food left at all in the town.
The characters in this, and I say characters because they are somewhat embellished by Wilder, are pretty wonderful. They all have their unique attributes although some don't get a lot of time dedicated to them in the book (like Grace, Laura's youngest sister). I do have to say that I'm disappointed that in all her books she never mentions her brother who died as a baby. Its like he vanished. It was also nice to see Almanzo Wilder in this. He did appear briefly in the last book and of course Farmer Boy was all about him, but this book really marks the start of where he starts interacting with Laura's family.
Wilder writes very well for children. The language is easy to understand, as are the descriptions. She really makes her life vivid through her words and although things are much much different now, it is easy to picture how she lived. There are a couple of things that could be found offensive in this book. Ma does not like Indians, and doesn't have a problem voicing her opinions. Almanzo also makes a comment that could be potentially offensive as well. Regardless though, it is still worth the read.
Its such a charming series and I always enjoy reading it at least once a year. This book in particular interested me just because of all the hardship they go through. Its amazing how they kept it together and survived (even cheerfully if the book is to be believed) despite all the odds against them. I highly recommend this book and the series for all ages.
The Long Winter
Copyright 1940
335 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2010
If you know me at all, you know how much I hate being cold. Winter is the worst! This book is my worst nightmare. Snow. Way below zero temps. Freezing winds. No food. I like to think I am a hearty pioneer gal, but in my heart I know I love food and sunshine way too much. But, much like Laura, I would survive, because I'm strong like a bull.
A comically stereotypical Indian, straight from central casting, walks into the store in town and warns the white people that a big heap long winter is coming. He's basically ignored by everyone but Pa and the Wilder Boys, because they are smarter than everyone else. Plus handsome and talented and funny. But I digress. The winter comes, the trains stop, and the whole town is on the brink of death. Literally. Luckily for the entire town of DeSmet, Almanzo and Cap have more bravery than sense, and they go on a foolhardy mission to save the town.
I love this one. 4 stars.
A comically stereotypical Indian, straight from central casting, walks into the store in town and warns the white people that a big heap long winter is coming. He's basically ignored by everyone but Pa and the Wilder Boys, because they are smarter than everyone else. Plus handsome and talented and funny. But I digress. The winter comes, the trains stop, and the whole town is on the brink of death. Literally. Luckily for the entire town of DeSmet, Almanzo and Cap have more bravery than sense, and they go on a foolhardy mission to save the town.
I love this one. 4 stars.
3.5 stars. Sheesh, it's incredible when you think about everything the Ingalls family survives. I can't help but read these and think about how I would have just . . . died if I'd been in even a fraction of the situations they faced.
The only real issue with this book is that it is indeed a long winter, which means very little happens. You do get a real sense of the desperation that sets in as the family slowly runs out of food and fuel. And we're introduced to Almanzo, who winds up helping out the town. The chapters that follow the Wilders are kind of weird in terms of POV and craft because we're not used to spending this much time with characters outside the Ingalls family, but I was willing to accept that because these are ultimately children's books and we know that Laura winds up learning these stories because she and Almanzo wind up together. Anyway, this feels kind of like a transitional book . . . probably my least favorite in the series but only because of the monotony, which was definitely the point.
The only real issue with this book is that it is indeed a long winter, which means very little happens. You do get a real sense of the desperation that sets in as the family slowly runs out of food and fuel. And we're introduced to Almanzo, who winds up helping out the town. The chapters that follow the Wilders are kind of weird in terms of POV and craft because we're not used to spending this much time with characters outside the Ingalls family, but I was willing to accept that because these are ultimately children's books and we know that Laura winds up learning these stories because she and Almanzo wind up together. Anyway, this feels kind of like a transitional book . . . probably my least favorite in the series but only because of the monotony, which was definitely the point.
I read these as a kid, like every other kid I knew. Brought back some memories. Sweet stories, sweet characters. I don't remember this making me nervous as a kid, the idea of freezing cold for months on end and a short supply of food.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes