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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Part of the Great Laura Ingalls Wilder Reread of 2018! We listened to this one on audiobook as well since were still road-tripping it, and Cherry Jones is the perfect narrator choice. This book is a bit of a relief: Laura is finally able to have fun, and the family is not worried about money. There are still some dark moments (the name "Brewster" still sends a shiver down my spine from my childhood reading of this book), but overall, things are looking up for the Ingalls family! As an adult, I was struck by Laura's rather lackadaisical response to Almanzo's courting, though. He goes through a heck of a lot to win her, and he gets very little encouragement for his trouble, even after they're engaged. Then again, he doesn't seem a talkative fellow himself; maybe he really digs quiet chicks who are more into his horses than anything. Clearly, it ended up working for them. They were married for over 60 years.
One of the few books I read in elementary school. I still remember bits and pieces of it. I loved this series.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think this might be my favorite in the series. The romance between Almanzo and Laura was so sweet! And I loved following Laura as she trained to be a teacher. Also, my heart pounded a little faster in the scene where the wife in the couple who she boards with is standing over her husband in the middle of the night with a kitchen knife. EEEESH!
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was an interesting look at how young people courted and fell in love in that time period. I liked watching how Laura began to fall for Almanzo, though I wish there was a bit more information on how he came to admire Laura in return. The book definitely had some "aww" moments for me, and I am eager to read the final book in the series!
Boy a lot of things happen in this slim volume. If there's anything worth noting about reading this series as a whole as an adult, it's that pacing is a real detail here. We get a whole book about a single long winter and then books like this one where Laura goes from 15 and starting as a teacher to 18 and married with her own home...in fewer pages.
Takeaways from book eight: Laura hates teaching, Laura wants to get married sooner so she can stop teaching, Pa really likes taking Laura's money for things he doesn't need, and Laura doesn't want to have to have a traditional wedding. She gets married in black cashmere at home and won't say the "obey" part of the vows.
But she doesn't believe in women's rights or needing the vote. That was laid clear.
Takeaways from book eight: Laura hates teaching, Laura wants to get married sooner so she can stop teaching, Pa really likes taking Laura's money for things he doesn't need, and Laura doesn't want to have to have a traditional wedding. She gets married in black cashmere at home and won't say the "obey" part of the vows.
But she doesn't believe in women's rights or needing the vote. That was laid clear.
As Laura gets older she gets into some difficult situations. Teaching school at the age of 15 is daunting enough, but living with the Brewsters was terrifying. Mrs. Brewster was seriously mentally disturbed. Laura's eight-week stint teaching couldn't end soon enough, though Almanzo coming to get her every weekend made it bearable. Barely.
My boys liked seeing Laura and Almanzo get closer as their relationship progressed. They giggled over how Laura spooked the horses deliberately so that Nellie would get scared and refuse to ride with them again. They were practically giddy when Almanzo proposed.
It was nice to see Laura and Mary together again, at least for a little while. And, as always, the Christmas chapters were a highlight.
Laura's last night with her family got me choked up. Pa played the fiddle for hours as Laura relived memories with her loved ones. I've had similar times in my life when I knew change was coming and, as good as the change was, there was a part of me that mourned the fact that life would never be the same.
For more reviews, visit Build Enough Bookshelves.
My boys liked seeing Laura and Almanzo get closer as their relationship progressed. They giggled over how Laura spooked the horses deliberately so that Nellie would get scared and refuse to ride with them again. They were practically giddy when Almanzo proposed.
It was nice to see Laura and Mary together again, at least for a little while. And, as always, the Christmas chapters were a highlight.
Laura's last night with her family got me choked up. Pa played the fiddle for hours as Laura relived memories with her loved ones. I've had similar times in my life when I knew change was coming and, as good as the change was, there was a part of me that mourned the fact that life would never be the same.
For more reviews, visit Build Enough Bookshelves.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I had forgotten how many different schools and terms Laura taught. Very interesting.