“I was born in 1867 in a log cabin in Wisconsin and maybe you were, too. We lived with our family in the Big Woods, and then we all traveled in a covered wagon to Indian Territory, where Pa built us another house, out on high land where the prairie grasses swayed. Right?”
So begins Wendy McClure’s nostalgic, funny, sentimental and irreverent look at all things Laura, in The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie.
This book could have been a lot of things.
It could have been a guidebook that invited you to follow her adventures. It isn’t, although I’m sure that the tourism industries in Upstate New York, Wisconsin, Kansas, and of course South Dakota (home of De Smet Walnut Grove), will appreciate the boost that McClure’s thoughts about her own visits might give them.
It could have been a cynical and maudlin look back at the days of her youth and innocence, but it wasn’t that either. She managed to take her youthful excitement and exuberance with her as she visits the Ingalls Wilder homesites and finds out about Laura and her daughter Rose Wilder. So those of us who grew up like she did in the 70’s and 80’s are able to remember that time joyfully and appreciate the references to our generation. For example, she says that she always saw Farmer Boy as a sort of spin-off on the series, and then goes on to admit that she knows that some fans will be dismayed by the comparison to Joanie Loves Chachi. If you’re not between the ages of 35 and 45, that reference might go completely over your head, but I loved it.
These elements come together to make my favorite kind of memoir. I think of them as project memoirs (my favorite writer of these is A.J. Jacobs). Yes, we get to know Wendy McClure — her past, and perhaps what it is in her present and future that is driving this little project. We hear her voice (Did I mention that it is delightfully funny and irreverent and yet also sentimental?). We find out what she learned (The Ingalls were very small people — size-wise — and the places they lived are even smaller than you might have imagined). And all the while, we connect with the author. She makes us yearn for a partner who would read the books, like her boyfriend Chris does. We remember our own memories of “Laura World” — wanting to make maple syrup candy in the snow, use a pail to carry our lunch to school, and become a teacher in the same one-room schoolhouse years later.
I read this book with a silly grin on my face. I savored the fact that I have my original blue-boxed set right on my bookshelf and so that I can make plans to go back and read those books again. If you also grew up with Little House on the Prairie — either the books or the television show because there’s a fair amount in the book about “Landon World” as well — that you will probably love this book, unless it offends you, which I guess it might if you think it improper to poke fun at LHOP, Laura, or her followers (and yes, there are a few long-skirted homeschooler stereotypes).
The mix of humor, information about a beloved children’s series, and nostalgia earns The Wilder Life a place on our 5 Star Reads page.
I’m also pleased to let you know that I have a copy to give away. Leave a comment if you want to win, and on April 20 I’ll pick a name out of my sunbonnet.
- The winner of Watch Me Grow is #19 Evelyn.
- The winner of the three baseball books from Sleeping Bear Press is #2 Annette W.
Jennifer Donovan has never slept in a covered wagon or churned butter, but she blogs about more mundane pursuits at Snapshot.
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I loved little house…such a great part of learning to read was devouring this series.
Sounds like a fun read! I, too, was and am a huge Little House on the Prairie fan. I’ve got the cookbook, have been to her home in Mansfield, MO, and still have the original yellow boxed set my parents gave to me when I was eight years old. Oh, the nostalgia!
I loved the Little House books, and so does my teenaged daughter. I think I need to read Wendy’s book!
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books were the first books I remember getting lost in. I would climb into the crook of the tree in our backyard and read for hours. I wanted everyone to call me Laura. I’m so excited to read this book!
My SIL is a LHOP fan – I thought the biggest until I read about this book! I would love to win this for her. It sounds like a fun read for folks like me too – more fans of the TV show than of the books.
I loved the Little House books as a child, and am reliving them all over again as my daughter and I listen to them. In a couple more years I can’t wait to pull out our own set. In the meantime, I want to read this!!!
This is fantastic! I Love The Little House On The Prairie and still as an adult love the series. Always a great message. Thanks for this opportunity!
This sounds like fun!
Barbara — longtime reader/commenter — you won!
I hope you enjoy this. Remember, I did say that it’s slightly “irreverent,” but I found it to be a lot of fun.
Please reply to this email with your address.
That’s exciting! Thank you! Just sent you an e-mail.
I am putting this on my list for sure. So glad to read your review, and I still have my original books as well!
What a delightful book for Little House followers.
I hope the sun is shining and you pick my name out of your sunbonnet.
I’ve been trying to get my kiddos to read the LHOP books, but they have no interest. 🙁 But I would be delighted to receive this one!
Loved Laura growing up (wanted to be her!)! So glad to have another 5 star read to add to my list. Due to the recommendation of the audio book, I am halfway done with Team of Rivals….I will have to read this to escape to the 1860’s completely!
I’ve always Little House on the Prairie and this looks like a great book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I grew up hearing the Little House books read to me as a little kid. Loved them! I’m sure my mom would enjoy this book, too.
I’d very much like a copy of this book. I haven’t read the originals in years, but I have fond memories of them from my childhood.
I was the BIGGEST Laura fan growing up! Hoping to win your copy, but if not I’m totally putting this on my next amazon order!
Oh, I would love a copy of this book. I was a big Laura fan as a kid and recently got to re-experience them by reading them to my kiddos. I’ve never churned butter or made maple syrup candy in the snow either, but every time I read those books they make me want to!
I loved Little House! Thanks for the giveaway.
Whoop. yes please. Enter me.
Grew up on Laura Ingalls Wilder, please count me in!
I love this! Thanks for letting me know about your give away. I am such a Little House fan, the books, the TV shows. We are going to the Dakotas to see a bit of Laura’s history this summer. My kids have enjoyed the series just as much as I have.
Excellent review. I have had my eye on this book for a couple weeks now and would love to read it. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!!
I loved both the series, books and tv show. I would love to read this.
[email protected]
My fifth grade teacher took out time from class every Thursday and read the whole series of books. Loved our teach, loved Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Please enter me in this contest.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I’d like to win. It sounds like a great book!
Loved the book, the TV series and anything about LI Wilder I can get my hands on. Count me in.
This would be fun to read.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I loved these books and would love to win.
[email protected]
Oh, I must read this book!
I had a hard time reading the Little House books as a child, but did enjoy them when I was older.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I have always been a huge Little House fan and have this on my TBR list, so it would be awesome to win a copy of my very own!
I would love, love, love to win this one!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
I actually still have my “Little House” sunbonnet if you need to borrow it to chose the winner. I know I would enjoy this book.
This sounds right up my alley! I loved Little House on the Prairie, both the books and the show, but I can appreciate this author’s type of humor, too.
I read and re-read these books growing up. Would love to win! Thanks!
Looks like a fun read!
I would love to be entered! I want to read this book so badly. 🙂 I’m actually rereading the series right now.
I absolutely love the Little House books. (Of course, I loved the TV show too, although I was often frustrated that it didn’t follow the books more closely. Looking forward to reading this book eventually — even if it is a library copy.
I love Laura Ingalls Wilder! Please enter me in the giveaway.
ooo! I just watched your video review – how brave you are! I don’t even post a photo of myself! But you’ve sold me on this memoir — please put my name in your sunbonnet while I cross my fingers that you also pull it out! 🙂
I really want to read this book! I’d love to win!
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
i’ve always loved little house
i love little house on the praire
Count me in!
I have all the books and more and love them. i would be thrilled to add this one to my collection. Thanks
I am dying to read this book!! I love anything related to Little House on the Prairie or Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I have my boxed set of Little House (from my daughter who is 25) on MY bookshelf. I was obsessed with the TV show in the 70’s. Boy, do I miss those simpler shows! Love to read this book!
I would love to win
thank you
[email protected]
This book sounds very interesting. I would enjoy it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
wanna win for my nephew!