Read this book WAY back in the day, along with the rest in the series. I figured since I read the entire series, I probably loved it. The ONLY things I remember from this series, though, is that, overall, it's a snapshot of life back in the... early 1800s? Times are simpler, but not less busier. Children do chores, there's no television/computers, tales are told around the fire, etc. etc.
So.
This is the first book in the series. What do I think about it now that I'm revisiting this almost thirty years later? My thoughts are...
It's alright. I definitely don't love it, and I think these old classics are going to fall away from being classics (and already have, actually).
I can see how younger me might have gotten more wrapped up in this story (I LOVED pioneer/prairie stories as a kid), but as an adult, the lack of plot didn't excite me. It makes one wonder: In this world of technology, where things are always on-the-go, have I lost my ability to appreciate a more relaxing, lolling tale of a family in the woods? To be honest, I do think so.

The Good:
I appreciated the detail Ms. Wilder went into when describing the bullet-making, the rules of the Sabbath, meats preservation, etc. I also did enjoy the little stories Pa and Ma told to the children. Despite my previous critique about lack of plot, I did like the meandering, slow pace.

The Bad:
There's a song that Pa sings that is... uh, rascist. Not sure if this was well-known about this book/series or not, but it threw me off-guard and I did a double-take, so thought I'd mention it in my review. (I was not expecting something like that in a 'wholesome book' at all)

The Middle-Ground:
For ME, the neutral parts of the book would include the religious teachings/obvious controlling of future generations using religion. I have mixed feelings on their presence in this book, but probably like their presence more than I don't. Traditional teachings were a bit more extreme than they are today so on one hand, it was sort of nice seeing the differences in how much stricter things were in older days... but on the other (and on a personal level) it was a bit hard for me to read about kids have to be silent walking to church and there's no laughing or smiling on the day of the Sabbath. Poor kiddos.

Overall, I enjoyed stepping back in time to see just how much our society has changed. People long for 'simple times', but I dunno.. Little House in the Big Woods paints an idyllic image of a family, wrapped up in all the blankets and gathered around a family fire, but alongside it - written blatantly - you'll read things that really make you grimace and your nose crinkle. Ms. Wilder is not hiding this - it's most likely a product of her time (and not just her own feelings). It's interesting... but also icky. I'm rating it three stars because I'm of the opinion that this book does preserve a little slice of history within fiction - the good, the neutral, and the bad.

Overall? This book, unfortunately, does NOT hold up to my test-of-time re-read-a-thon challenge of books I read a a kid. I most likely will not continue with the series.
Also! There's just SO MANY good children's books and middle-grade books out there now. For any child, I'd recommend a different book/series. The times have changed, and I don't think dwelling on old traditions and outdated thoughts is going to be beneficial (or enjoyable) for children. If teenagers or adults want to explore a slice of history, I still think this book (and series probably) is worthwhile.......... if said teen or adult can get past the lack of plot.


Overall, I see this series continuing to fade by the wayside.

I wasn't going to add this as it's a kiddy book but after the multiple 900+ page books I've read this year, screw it - this counts. When I was a kid in Wisconsin I reread the Little House book series every summer. While I was studying for my stats final, I finished up a stats problem when suddenly my hand reached out and just snatched this book off my bookshelf. I was like my mind needed something simple and almost meditative.

Hence began the rereading of the Little House series. It's bitter sweet. It reminds me of a time when my family was so normal. I could identify my family with Laura's family (mother is ladylike, father more out-there and more of a risk taker, had a good yet sometimes frustrating sibling relationship). It's like rereading my childhood since I read it so consistently during my elementary school years. And looking back now it's sweet and sad as things aren't that way anymore.

I still remember the picture of the deer at the last chapter and dreading seeing that deer as I knew the book was ending soon. And I've always remembered the end: "She looked at Pa sitting on the bench by the hearth and Ma gently rocking and knitting. She thought to herself, "This is now." She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago."

Why have I never read this? I loved the tv show as a child and own them all on DVD. This story was just wonderful and I'm so glad I picked it up. Laura is a cute character to follow and the pictures in the book were adorable. Highly recommend :)

This is the first book I can remember my mother reading to me as a small child.
When I was growing up I read the entire series over and over. We visited the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home in Missouri. I have a LIW charm on my childhood charm bracelet. These books loomed large in our house during my formative years.
I'm not sure what, but recently something prompted me to find a copy to re-read as an adult.
There was much trepidation.
But it holds up. It definitely holds up.

June 2011 re-reading.

Maybe 2.5 stars? This mostly read like a manual on how to live in a cabin in the middle of woods with no electricity, but from the perspective of little girl. Barely anything (like plot) distinguishes it from any other year living there and bad things only happen as a consequence of bad behavior, and her greatest worry is that she has brown hair. Her mom even slaps a bear and nothing exciting happens. I’m sure this would have been a better read when I was an early reader but this didn’t have anything to sink my teeth into. I had to put it down at times because I was bored. I’d still like to read the others, which I own in very pretty editions, and I’m hopeful some of them will have a bit more to offer. I know it’s based on the author’s real life, but I’m positive there were hardships left out of the narrative.

So very good! I had forgotten how many butchering descriptions are in the book but he girls adored the story and love pretending they are Mary, Laura, and Carrie! My heart is a twitter! Well worth the read again as an adult.

So nostalgic. Not only nostalgia for my childhood and remembering reading these the first time, but also for the simpler, rich pioneer lifestyle. Laura Ingalls Wilder does such a good job describing the time so vividly and the lense of her childhood makes it all the more special.

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