The First Four Years - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Everyone knows the Little House on the Prairie, but most people don't realise it's just the second in a long series of books, & the First Four Years is the ninth. The previous books followed Laura's travcls with her parents & sisters across the Midwest praries, farming in various places until they finally settled by Silver Lake, where 5 of the books are set as Laura's father carves out a living & Laura & her sisters grow to adulthood & she meets & marries Almanzo Wilder. The first 4 years of the title refers to the couple's first years of marriage: the new life they build, the terrible trials they face & the birth of their ...  Read the complete review

Ah..the Little House books. I read and reread them as a child and even adored the admittedly sugary TV series. Through all the hardships and trails, Ma and Pa managed to keep the family smiling and singing, even when Mary went blind. But a happy childhood tends to not see lots of the little things, as many things are kept hidden from small eyes to keep them carefree and innocent. Adolescence is a time when the cynic in us often comes out, and while we might love dear old Mum and dad, WE want to live a different kind of life. So it is even with Laura Ingalls. Sweet, good hearted Laura is not made of pure gold, and could be cruel. She refuses to marry Almanzo wilder at ...  Read the complete review