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felinity 's review for:

The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
4.0

I suspect this is a lot closer to real life than the previous books, and that had she the motivation after Almanzo's death, Laura would have added a good bit more filler with more about the happy days rather than this rather emotionless retelling of those very hard years.

From my now-adult perspective, it's incredible to see what they went through, the hardships they endured and the work they had to do, all at the tender age of 19 (Laura). I wonder whether at 19 I would have had even half her maturity and strength of mind.

For those who haven't read it, this is not like the previous Little House books. It's from a handwritten, unfinished manuscript that was only found after Laura's death, and therefore didn't have the same editing and polishing. I'm not sure I'd read this to younger children, because Laura's life - though reasonably happy - is a lot harder.
SpoilerSome of the hardships include terrible morning sickness with her pregnancies, severe diphtheria and then a stroke for Almanzo, the death of her baby son and a house fire that means they lose almost everything.