kairosdreaming's review against another edition
5.0
I think this might be my favorite book of the Little House on the Prairie series. For those of you that haven't read the series, it is author Laura Ingalls Wilder's telling of her childhood and growing up as a pioneer. With her Ma, Pa, and sisters they travel and live from the big woods of Wisconsin, to Indian Territory, on to Minnesota, and then finally settle in the west in the town of DeSmet. They have many hardships, but ultimately pull together as a family and enjoy life.
This book starts with Laura having just gotten her teaching certificate and teaching her first term of school. The people she stays with are miserable and at some points Laura fears for her safety, however, she finds relaxation in her weekends with the handsome Almanzo Wilder comes to get her to take her back to her family over the weekend. Each week she looks forward to his arrival despite not being sure how she feels about him. When that school term ends she looks forward to being back with her family and to her surprise, finds that she still enjoys going riding with Almanzo and they grow closer. She teaches two more full terms of school and all the while wonders where her relationship with Almanzo is headed. She loves his horses, but she must ask herself if she loves him as well.
I always call the people in these books characters as they seem to be somewhat embellished. Noone can be that perfect and cheerful all the time. Laura does describe her family well and even her sisters get a larger part in this book and more description. Of course Almanzo also takes center stage as he starts courting her and while not much is said, I always enjoy reading about their relationship. There probably could have been more description about their relationship as we never see the transition of Laura enjoying being with him to actually loving him, but I suppose its always fun to picture the back story in your head.
Wilder does a great job of providing expansive descriptions of pioneer life yet still making the book easy for children to read. It would have been nice to make this book longer, as there were a lot of events fit into the pages that could have been marvelous with expansion, however, the book was still greatly interesting. She especially explained the intricacies of women's dress in this book and I could only read with part horror and gladness that its not required to have petticoats, corsets, and other constricting clothing anymore. I do often wonder how a bikini would have been met in those times (well I know but I'd still like to see the reaction).
While this book marks the end of Laura's childhood I do enjoy reading about her as an adult. The book is wonderful and softly romantic and I feel that it appeals more to the adult side of readers than kids, but still remains appropriate for any age. Its such a wonderful series that everyone should have the chance to read.
These Happy Golden Years
Copyright 1943
289 pages
This book starts with Laura having just gotten her teaching certificate and teaching her first term of school. The people she stays with are miserable and at some points Laura fears for her safety, however, she finds relaxation in her weekends with the handsome Almanzo Wilder comes to get her to take her back to her family over the weekend. Each week she looks forward to his arrival despite not being sure how she feels about him. When that school term ends she looks forward to being back with her family and to her surprise, finds that she still enjoys going riding with Almanzo and they grow closer. She teaches two more full terms of school and all the while wonders where her relationship with Almanzo is headed. She loves his horses, but she must ask herself if she loves him as well.
I always call the people in these books characters as they seem to be somewhat embellished. Noone can be that perfect and cheerful all the time. Laura does describe her family well and even her sisters get a larger part in this book and more description. Of course Almanzo also takes center stage as he starts courting her and while not much is said, I always enjoy reading about their relationship. There probably could have been more description about their relationship as we never see the transition of Laura enjoying being with him to actually loving him, but I suppose its always fun to picture the back story in your head.
Wilder does a great job of providing expansive descriptions of pioneer life yet still making the book easy for children to read. It would have been nice to make this book longer, as there were a lot of events fit into the pages that could have been marvelous with expansion, however, the book was still greatly interesting. She especially explained the intricacies of women's dress in this book and I could only read with part horror and gladness that its not required to have petticoats, corsets, and other constricting clothing anymore. I do often wonder how a bikini would have been met in those times (well I know but I'd still like to see the reaction).
While this book marks the end of Laura's childhood I do enjoy reading about her as an adult. The book is wonderful and softly romantic and I feel that it appeals more to the adult side of readers than kids, but still remains appropriate for any age. Its such a wonderful series that everyone should have the chance to read.
These Happy Golden Years
Copyright 1943
289 pages
govmarley's review against another edition
5.0
Strap in, folks. This might be a long one, since it's my favorite book in the series.
We begin our story once again in the cold winter of the Dakota Territories. Laura has received her teaching certificate and begins teaching school to keep Mary in college. She dreads teaching, she doesn't want to leave home, but she pulls herself up by her bootstraps and puts on a brave face. The school is 12 long, cold miles from home. She's staying with the school board president's family, run by his awful wife who hates it out West. It's a long two months in the freezing cold, and the only way she stays sane is because of the wonderful Almanzo Wilder. He drives out there, regardless of the weather, and brings her home to her family. Every. Single. Weekend. Through blizzards and awkward conversations. Almanzo must have really loved her, because she is ridiculous sometimes and tells him she won't ride with him after she is back home. What? Girl, you are crazy. But he's the best, and continues to make sure she gets home safely. I have a real thing for strapping young farm boys who are good with horses and very kind and brave. Almanzo is my jam.
And then she is home, and she conveniently forgets that she wasn't going to go around with him anymore. Apparently strapping young farm boys are her jam, too. Laura, no judgment. He's rad. And he apparently gets you, big time. Secret Christmas gifts, buggy rides, and appears to be a strong partner in crime. You get to drive the horses and race across the prairie together. You break wild horses and go to singing school together. And at the end, a sweet proposal and a kiss, leading to a quick marriage. Well, I say quick, but he courted her for three patient years, so nothing quick about that, folks. I mean, she was eighteen when they got hitched. And he builds her a kick-ass pantry so you know he loves her.
I'm 99% sure my husband is Almanzo Wilder reincarnated, and this book directly shaped the kind of man I am find attractive. 5 stars. Love this series!
We begin our story once again in the cold winter of the Dakota Territories. Laura has received her teaching certificate and begins teaching school to keep Mary in college. She dreads teaching, she doesn't want to leave home, but she pulls herself up by her bootstraps and puts on a brave face. The school is 12 long, cold miles from home. She's staying with the school board president's family, run by his awful wife who hates it out West. It's a long two months in the freezing cold, and the only way she stays sane is because of the wonderful Almanzo Wilder. He drives out there, regardless of the weather, and brings her home to her family. Every. Single. Weekend. Through blizzards and awkward conversations. Almanzo must have really loved her, because she is ridiculous sometimes and tells him she won't ride with him after she is back home. What? Girl, you are crazy. But he's the best, and continues to make sure she gets home safely. I have a real thing for strapping young farm boys who are good with horses and very kind and brave. Almanzo is my jam.
And then she is home, and she conveniently forgets that she wasn't going to go around with him anymore. Apparently strapping young farm boys are her jam, too. Laura, no judgment. He's rad. And he apparently gets you, big time. Secret Christmas gifts, buggy rides, and appears to be a strong partner in crime. You get to drive the horses and race across the prairie together. You break wild horses and go to singing school together. And at the end, a sweet proposal and a kiss, leading to a quick marriage. Well, I say quick, but he courted her for three patient years, so nothing quick about that, folks. I mean, she was eighteen when they got hitched. And he builds her a kick-ass pantry so you know he loves her.
I'm 99% sure my husband is Almanzo Wilder reincarnated, and this book directly shaped the kind of man I am find attractive. 5 stars. Love this series!
huncamuncamouse's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Bittersweet. That's how much of this book reads. While there isn't as much action in this one (and what does happen is somewhat repetitive), I appreciate this book's quiet material, which is more about Laura's own personal growth into a young woman. We've come a long way from the Big Woods in Wisconsin, which was very much written from a young child's POV. I can't think of another series where, as the narrator matures, so too does the voice shift so noticeably, the sentences becoming more complex, the font shrinking in size.
It's a little sad to see Ma and Pa's presence diminished in this book, but it's a reminder that Laura is ready to leave home, and indeed has been working away from home for a good chunk of time. It's a relief to see the family in such a stable position after all the years of strife. And it's a reminder that Pa, especially, is no longer the center of Laura's world. I appreciated seeing how Laura's relationship with Almanzo unfolds,* and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it took her some time to think of him romantically. There are some great moments that reveal how much he respects her just as much as he loves her. Her kind of snarky response when he asks what she'd think about getting an engagement ring made me laugh. And I love that she told him she would not say "obey" in her wedding vows.
*the books really do fudge his age. We're originally told he's lying about being older than he is in order to secure a claim, but in actuality, Almanzo was a full 10 years older than Laura and didn't need to lie. I know it's probably not fair to judge the relationship by today's standards, but 25-year-old Almanzo hanging around with then-14-year-old Laura is hard for me to get past, even though he sounds perfectly lovely and respectful. I'm hoping Prairie Fires can help shed light on how this relationship reflected its time period. I also assume there were very few single women closer to him in age?
Bittersweet. That's how much of this book reads. While there isn't as much action in this one (and what does happen is somewhat repetitive), I appreciate this book's quiet material, which is more about Laura's own personal growth into a young woman. We've come a long way from the Big Woods in Wisconsin, which was very much written from a young child's POV. I can't think of another series where, as the narrator matures, so too does the voice shift so noticeably, the sentences becoming more complex, the font shrinking in size.
It's a little sad to see Ma and Pa's presence diminished in this book, but it's a reminder that Laura is ready to leave home, and indeed has been working away from home for a good chunk of time. It's a relief to see the family in such a stable position after all the years of strife. And it's a reminder that Pa, especially, is no longer the center of Laura's world. I appreciated seeing how Laura's relationship with Almanzo unfolds,* and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it took her some time to think of him romantically. There are some great moments that reveal how much he respects her just as much as he loves her. Her kind of snarky response when he asks what she'd think about getting an engagement ring made me laugh. And I love that she told him she would not say "obey" in her wedding vows.
*the books really do fudge his age. We're originally told he's lying about being older than he is in order to secure a claim, but in actuality, Almanzo was a full 10 years older than Laura and didn't need to lie. I know it's probably not fair to judge the relationship by today's standards, but 25-year-old Almanzo hanging around with then-14-year-old Laura is hard for me to get past, even though he sounds perfectly lovely and respectful. I'm hoping Prairie Fires can help shed light on how this relationship reflected its time period. I also assume there were very few single women closer to him in age?
imabrunette23's review against another edition
5.0
These Happy Golden Years is the last "real" book in the Little House series. There is another, much shorter, book afterward (The First Four Years) that was published from Laura Ingalls Wilder's notes and outlines, but this is the last she wrote. It ranks a very close second in my most favorite books ever.
It's interesting that my favorite two books are the first and the last in the series. In the first, Laura is a child. 6 or 7 years old. In the last, she's a "grown up," around 18 years old. There is quite a difference in the girl Laura and the woman Laura, and part of what I like about the book is looking back on how she used to be and comparing what she is in this book. I suppose that's what parents probably feel, but, whatever.
This is also the book where Laura falls in love, and probably why I love it so much. Almanzo is such a gentleman to her, and I love that this plain, brunette, stocky girl isn't destined to be a spinster (again,identification!) She may not be rich, or know how to flirt, or really even acknowledge their courtship, but Almanzo (who comes across to me as handsome and COOL) is still in love with her, and still asks her to marry him. Gah. As a 9 year old girl, this was the height of romance. The sleigh rides, and buggy rides, and Almanzo slipping her ring on her finger (not a diamond, since this is pre- Victorian engagement) during a buggy ride, and then the combs at christmas and showing up Christmas Eve! Gah! Old fashioned romance, I'm telling you.
I prefer to pretend their story ends at the end of These Happy Golden Years. I've since learned about the hardships Laura and Almanzo faced in their life together, and it really depresses me. They did not have an easy life. But if I pretend that this is the end, it's such a hopeful story. The wedding is over, they go back to their very own Little House that Almanzo built by himself, with a sheepdog, and the horses that started the whole courtship pulling the buggy. They have left over wedding food, and wedding cake, and sit on the front porch watching the twilight. Magic. Anything could happen.
It's interesting that my favorite two books are the first and the last in the series. In the first, Laura is a child. 6 or 7 years old. In the last, she's a "grown up," around 18 years old. There is quite a difference in the girl Laura and the woman Laura, and part of what I like about the book is looking back on how she used to be and comparing what she is in this book. I suppose that's what parents probably feel, but, whatever.
This is also the book where Laura falls in love, and probably why I love it so much. Almanzo is such a gentleman to her, and I love that this plain, brunette, stocky girl isn't destined to be a spinster (again,identification!) She may not be rich, or know how to flirt, or really even acknowledge their courtship, but Almanzo (who comes across to me as handsome and COOL) is still in love with her, and still asks her to marry him. Gah. As a 9 year old girl, this was the height of romance. The sleigh rides, and buggy rides, and Almanzo slipping her ring on her finger (not a diamond, since this is pre- Victorian engagement) during a buggy ride, and then the combs at christmas and showing up Christmas Eve! Gah! Old fashioned romance, I'm telling you.
I prefer to pretend their story ends at the end of These Happy Golden Years. I've since learned about the hardships Laura and Almanzo faced in their life together, and it really depresses me. They did not have an easy life. But if I pretend that this is the end, it's such a hopeful story. The wedding is over, they go back to their very own Little House that Almanzo built by himself, with a sheepdog, and the horses that started the whole courtship pulling the buggy. They have left over wedding food, and wedding cake, and sit on the front porch watching the twilight. Magic. Anything could happen.
poplartears's review against another edition
3.0
Another lovely book in the series. I found it bittersweet but the children didn't understand why I thought it was sad that Laura got married and moved away. We enjoyed the story of Almanzo and Laura very much and are looking forward to the next book.
stephen_angliss's review against another edition
3.0
Actually one of my favorites. The thought of Laura now being an adult at such a young age and needing to face the same dangerous world as her Ma and Pa intrigued me. It also intrigued me that the girl of the wild wild west grew up to witness the roaring 20's the Great Depression, and World War II.
My favorite part was Almanzo excitedly describing the great potential of being a farmer. Found it oddly inspiring and relatable. When you're a farmer in America, you can be as successful as your ambition allows.
My favorite part was Almanzo excitedly describing the great potential of being a farmer. Found it oddly inspiring and relatable. When you're a farmer in America, you can be as successful as your ambition allows.
jericca89's review against another edition
5.0
This was always my favorite of the Little House books. Laura and Almanzo have just such a cute love story and I'm not going to lie, I teared up as Laura packed up her things to get married. This reread brought to you because I knitted a Little House inspired dishcloth.
bravelass85's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable capstone to the series though a little sad in the end when she moves into her new home after marrying. Their courtship was so strange to me; I know it is because of my historical perspective but there courtship was so stiff, stifled, awkward. I couldn't figure out why they liked each other. Both of them being strong-willed and willing to take risks came out in the storyline of the breaking of the horses, but other than that I found their courting painful. Still, it was good seeing the story through to the end.