Any Laura Ingalls Wilder fans?

[moondog]

I visited the LIW house and museum in Missouri a few weeks ago and it was one of the most moving experiences ever. I made a detour of thousands of miles to see it.
If anyone loves her just as much as I do I wanted the chance to tell you about it so that you can savour every delicious detail.

*Georgian- Good for you. I'd love to read it.

Another friend has just been turned down to do a Masters on Michael Morpurgo. She is gutted.

Am loving this thread . The long winter is an amazing work, beloved by me and dd13 who has read all the books too and shares my passion. Mumsnetl trip to Missouri anyone?

OOh just found this thread. DH finds my obsession with LHOTP slightly odd. I actually preferred the TV series to the books (tho I knew loads was changed) simply because I found the language of the books too young, even as a child. It's a shame there isn't a more detailed adult level version of the books.

What I did find spooky was re-reading the books as a TA, and reading - I think - The Long Hard Winter. They'd been snowed in, almost died, then later had plagues of locusts and no end of other hazards. Then in Y8 History being given a book about that period of American history and reading about all these things actually happening as she'd described them.

I did a bit of research about the family gene-wise and discovered that Caroline and the girls had inherited diabetes. Further googling suggested that the form of diabetes they had can cause infertility and other problems. I always found it odd, and a bit sad, that of 5 children they only ended up with one grandchild, who then herself had no children.

yes, the long winter, the hardship, the grain in the wall, the dignity of Pa when demanding his share! Powerful.

In the museum they have twists of hay to show you nwhat it was like.They even, check this!! have stacked up by the stove wood that Almanzo cut himself.

The brutality of some of the books is shocking. In Farmer Boy, we hear how Almanzo's teacher keeps a bullwhip in his desk and whips the big boys who come and try to beat him up (I think I mentioned this earlier-I am lost in LHOTP reverie). Graphic description of whip cutting into flesh and making it bleed.

My 8 year old bloodthirsty ds loved it!
Love the blog and picture Mrs Ruby! (GMt5)
They called Helen Dore Boyle 'Troub' for trouble.
Maybe she and Rose were romantically involved?
She kicked Laura and Almanzo out of the farmhouse and cosied up there with her mates for seven years, moaning about what a burden her paretns were too here, then effed off and didn't see them for 12 years.

LF, you lucky sod, tapping maple trees.

dd 13 - renaldo? Really?!

I love this thread! Thanks Moondog for starting it. I only really discovered the books in adulthood, so I'm not sure if I'd get the same amazing rush that some of you have described on visiting all the LIW sites, but I'm still desperate to see them. I was a mad Katy and Anne fan though.

Georgian, I'm now avidly reading your holiday blog (am not stalker-type, honest) and really enjoying it. Very of you all camping at the homestead and being able to 'live' in some of the buildings after hours!

I think I need to re-read these. Now. It's just the weather for it, too.