I first read this just a little over three years ago, and I loved it immediately. I'm happy to report that I love it still. How absolutely delightful it is! I smiled and chuckled and cheered throughout it.Elinore Pruitt Rupert, a widow with a young daughter, took a job keeping house for a man named Clyde Stewart out on the plains of Wyoming in 1909. She wanted to try homesteading for herself, but knew she'd need some way of keeping herself and her daughter until she had her homestead up and running, so hit upon the idea of keeping house for some established rancher or farmer to begin with. She ended up marrying Mr. Stewart quite soon after moving there, but insisted on homesteading on her own to see if a determined woman could make a go of it. And make a go of it, she certainly did.
For me, the chief delight of this book is how intrepidly and joyfully this woman faces life. She goes about having adventures, helping people, making the very best of life in every situation. Even though her life certainly isn't easy, and she faces heartache, she does not lose her hope or her joy or her faith. Amazing woman.
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| (My Bookstagram pic from today) |
Particularly Good Parts:
...although I married in haste, I have no cause to repent. That is very fortunate because I have never had one bit of leisure to repent in (p. 86).
It is true, I want a great many things I haven't got, but I don't want them enough to be discontented and not enjoy the many blessings that are mine (p. 89).
If This was a Movie, I Would Rate It: PG for frontier hardships, a few bits of mild bad language in transcribed dialog, and a discussion of Mormons practicing polygamy.
She has a cheerful, lighthearted, adventurous spirit. Even though her work is more complicated than my own...she makes hers seem so simple (and enjoyable).
ReplyDeleteI'm about half way through.
Ruth, she does indeed. When you get to the very last chapter where she talks about all the things she and her daughter did with their gardening, your jaw will drop. She totally inspires me to be less lazy and more contented with my life.
DeleteIt sounded familiar so I looked at my Goodreads books. I read it back in 2010 and gave it 5 stars so I must've liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteGeorge, glad you've read and like this too! I feel like it would be almost impossible NOT to like this book.
DeleteThis book cover reminds me of your sweet covers! I'll definitely have to read this one.
ReplyDeleteReyna, awwww, really? That's so cool! I'll tell my cover artist you compared her to NC Wyeth :-) She'll love that!
DeleteYes, READ IT. It's wonderful.
So lovely to hear from you again! How're you doing?