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Sarah's Reviews > Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie (Little House, #3)
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Book number three is the first in the series to give me serious nostalgia, possibly only because of its title. I watched Little House religiously in syndication, and I remember thinking Michael Landon was like a more communicative version of my own kind dad - I loved how he threw back his head when he laughed.
Of course, fast forward a few years, and my thoughts transferred from Pa to Sully, on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, who was a total feminist in addition to being a drop-dead gorgeous mountain man. I watched that show religiously as it aired, asking Jesus to forgive me for all the naughty bedtime thoughts I was having about this man (how could I help myself, really?):
Okay, I’ve officially digressed…
In Little House, the family endures many harrowing subplots while settling in Kansas: fording a creek (that suddenly rises) and almost dying, catching malaria and almost dying, setting the chimney on fire and almost dying, being in the middle of a prairie fire and almost dying, being the focus of Native American war cries and almost dying.
Really, the Native American relations focus of this book is pretty tricky. And while Laura Ingalls Wilder doesn’t outright defend the rights of Indigenous people, which is a missed opportunity, she does raise the issue through little Laura in an intense scene with her father:
(view spoiler)
Since this is a pioneer-type situation, book three is about 60% homesteading work descriptions, 20% near-death experiences, and 20% family bonding exercises.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Book/Song Pairing: Old Dan Tucker (Bruce Springsteen)
Of course, fast forward a few years, and my thoughts transferred from Pa to Sully, on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, who was a total feminist in addition to being a drop-dead gorgeous mountain man. I watched that show religiously as it aired, asking Jesus to forgive me for all the naughty bedtime thoughts I was having about this man (how could I help myself, really?):
Okay, I’ve officially digressed…
In Little House, the family endures many harrowing subplots while settling in Kansas: fording a creek (that suddenly rises) and almost dying, catching malaria and almost dying, setting the chimney on fire and almost dying, being in the middle of a prairie fire and almost dying, being the focus of Native American war cries and almost dying.
Really, the Native American relations focus of this book is pretty tricky. And while Laura Ingalls Wilder doesn’t outright defend the rights of Indigenous people, which is a missed opportunity, she does raise the issue through little Laura in an intense scene with her father:
Pa said, “When White settlers come into a country, the Indians have to move on. The government's going to move these Indians farther west any time now. That's why we're here, Laura. White people are going to settle all this country, and we get the best land because we got here first and get to take our pick. Now do you understand?”
“Yes, Pa,” Laura said, “But Pa, I thought this was Indian territory. Won’t it make the Indians mad to have to…”
“No more questions, Laura,” Pa said firmly, “Go to sleep.”
(view spoiler)
Since this is a pioneer-type situation, book three is about 60% homesteading work descriptions, 20% near-death experiences, and 20% family bonding exercises.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Book/Song Pairing: Old Dan Tucker (Bruce Springsteen)
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Reading Progress
December 5, 2022
–
Started Reading
December 5, 2022
– Shelved
December 5, 2022
–
71.0%
"Whoa:
Pa said, 'When White settlers come into a country, the Indians have to move on. The government's going to move these Indians farther west any time now. That's why we're here, Laura. White people are going to settle all this country, and we get the best land because we get here first and take our pick. Now do you understand?'
'Yes, Pa,' Laura said, 'But Pa, I thought this was Indian territory...'"
Pa said, 'When White settlers come into a country, the Indians have to move on. The government's going to move these Indians farther west any time now. That's why we're here, Laura. White people are going to settle all this country, and we get the best land because we get here first and take our pick. Now do you understand?'
'Yes, Pa,' Laura said, 'But Pa, I thought this was Indian territory...'"
December 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
classics
December 6, 2022
– Shelved as:
midwest
December 6, 2022
–
Finished Reading
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Daniel
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Dec 06, 2022 12:05PM
Manifest Destiny? I liked it better when they were dipping Nelly's pigtails in ink and not discussing forcibly removing indigenous peoples from their land.
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I am sure Joe Lando sent many women (and a few men) to bed on Saturdays with paroxysms of pleasure but few have articulated it with the grace that you have, Sarah. Thank you for showcasing all of the travails of prairie life, I felt like I was playing Oregon Trail again.
He really was the best, Daniel. I remember thinking, "If I have to marry a man, I want one that sticks up for my rights like Sully does for Dr. Quinn's!" And yes, Manifest Destiny is grody to the max. And Oregon Trail is the BEST (have you seen the newest release version for your phone? ).
Not surprisingly you thought about Sully in a much more mature context than I did. I just wanted to be able to throw a tomahawk with his accuracy and force. I am sure there are still scoff marks on some walls where I tried to throw a tomahawk facsimile at a target. I hope you are able to bring back the phrase, "grody to the max", what a delightful expression! I am not sure my geriatric phone could support the game (Oregon Trail) but I am intrigued. It is more my style; modern games take so much dexterity and possibly speed (the drug) or just raging teenage hormones to play with any alacrity. Glad all of your research for your visit to the genesis of Little House on the Prairie has been so pleasurable.
Hey, Daniel! They have axe-throwing centers (centers for axe throwing?) near you. One is called Stumpy's Hatchet house in Jacksonville. Just sayin'...Yep, the new game does require some serious bandwidth, but it's basically the same game as the original. I played almost non-stop for 24 hours to beat it, and I haven't re-tried since then. My cousin (also a good friend) got similarly sucked into the game... it's great.
And yes! I'm getting excited for the Christmas event at Laura Ingalls Wilder's house! Already booked my hotel and everything.
Have a great day!
Thanks so much, Suhailah! I'm wondering now if you've read this series?
Heading over to your page now, to compare books!
Oh! I just saw on your page that you're going to read this one?Yay!
I'll keep my eyes peeled for your review when you get to it.
Have a great night 🌻
Yes, I actually read it years ago when I was younger and it left an imprint on me. I think that's definitely why I choose certain books still to this day. I definitely want to read it again as an adult and be able to properly review it!
Wow, I just realized there is a total of 9 books in the series! I've gotta check these out!
Suhailah,I'm with you on choosing books that have potential to "leave an imprint." Sometimes I feel my insides are mostly a hodgepodge (a quilt?) of memories that have left their mark.
Oh my goodness - exactly! Best way ever to put it! I'm truly like a bundle of nostalgia all the time!
