sarahcoller's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this---mainly because it was fun to imagine "old Wyoming". Also, some of the characters came from Arkansas, namely Yell County, so that was fun. I would recommend not reading the forward if one doesn't want the entire thing summed up in a few short paragraphs.
mattbeatty's review against another edition
4.0
These letters make for a fascinating narrative and descriptive journal of Mrs. Stewart's life, moving from the city to a Wyoming homestead, marrying and still having the determination to homestead ON HER OWN. She is a very positive, optimistic individual, generous and giving, nearly always seeing the positive in others. Her words and attitude are inspirational.
Whether tidbits are fabricated or exaggerated is a bit of topic of debate. However, the general storylines, characters, and situations are nonfiction, and it is quite fascinating to see the interrelations of early Western life, homesteading and cattle ranching. Mrs. Stewart always leaves a few choice words regarding her luck and love in life.
She sees the beauty in everything: "Everything, even the barrenness, was beautiful" (28). She incorporates some faith (though seemingly nondenominational) into her awe with Wyoming's natural beauty: "when you get among such grandeur you get to feel how little you are and how foolish is human endeavor, except that which reunites us with the mighty force called God" (30). Choice bits of attitude and knowledge: "I am the luckiest woman in finding really lovely people and having really happy experiences. Good things are constantly happening to me" (62). "Those who try know that strength and knowledge come with doing" (282). She is humorous (and loves camping): "fastidiousness about food is a good thing to get rid of when you come West to camp" (166). And she can maintain a wintry mountain scene with pure love and passion, bubbling up your own feelings and sentiments: "I love the flicker of an open fire, the smell of the pines, the pure, sweet air, and I went to sleep thinking how blest I was to be able to enjoy the things I love most" (198).
I just recently purchased her other "official" letters collection, Letters From an Elk Hunt, and I'm excited to read it.
Whether tidbits are fabricated or exaggerated is a bit of topic of debate. However, the general storylines, characters, and situations are nonfiction, and it is quite fascinating to see the interrelations of early Western life, homesteading and cattle ranching. Mrs. Stewart always leaves a few choice words regarding her luck and love in life.
She sees the beauty in everything: "Everything, even the barrenness, was beautiful" (28). She incorporates some faith (though seemingly nondenominational) into her awe with Wyoming's natural beauty: "when you get among such grandeur you get to feel how little you are and how foolish is human endeavor, except that which reunites us with the mighty force called God" (30). Choice bits of attitude and knowledge: "I am the luckiest woman in finding really lovely people and having really happy experiences. Good things are constantly happening to me" (62). "Those who try know that strength and knowledge come with doing" (282). She is humorous (and loves camping): "fastidiousness about food is a good thing to get rid of when you come West to camp" (166). And she can maintain a wintry mountain scene with pure love and passion, bubbling up your own feelings and sentiments: "I love the flicker of an open fire, the smell of the pines, the pure, sweet air, and I went to sleep thinking how blest I was to be able to enjoy the things I love most" (198).
I just recently purchased her other "official" letters collection, Letters From an Elk Hunt, and I'm excited to read it.
needleclicker's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Child death
sburnes's review against another edition
4.0
Me gustó mucho. Cuenta la vida diaria de una pionera y cómo en aquella época había mujeres con una fortaleza sin igual.
rachelb36's review against another edition
5.0
This book is delightful. It consists of 26 letters written between 1909 and 1913 by Elinore Stewart to a former employer, Mrs. Coney, and details her everyday (and sometimes out of the ordinary) happenings in Wyoming as a new homesteader.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
"We forgot all about feuds and partings, death and hard times. All we remembered was that God is good and the world is wide and beautiful." (pg. 107)
"One morning [Jerrine] saw [the puppies] following their mother, so she danced for joy. When her little brother came she was plainly disappointed. "Mamma," she said, "did God really make the baby?" "Yes, dear." "Then He hasn't treated us fairly, and I should like to know why. The puppies could walk when He finished them; the calves can, too. The pigs can, and the colt, and even the chickens. What is the use of giving us a half-finished baby?" (pg. 135)
A couple of my favorite quotes:
"We forgot all about feuds and partings, death and hard times. All we remembered was that God is good and the world is wide and beautiful." (pg. 107)
"One morning [Jerrine] saw [the puppies] following their mother, so she danced for joy. When her little brother came she was plainly disappointed. "Mamma," she said, "did God really make the baby?" "Yes, dear." "Then He hasn't treated us fairly, and I should like to know why. The puppies could walk when He finished them; the calves can, too. The pigs can, and the colt, and even the chickens. What is the use of giving us a half-finished baby?" (pg. 135)
kararkoehn's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Pretty crazy that all that stuff actually happened to a person in history. It sounded fictional it was so well written.
cher_n_books's review against another edition
1.0
Dnf'd at 35%. The one sided epistolary is an odd format, and the woman can talk (write) your ear off.
rwaringcrane's review against another edition
5.0
Oh to have such a pen pal as Elinore Stewart! Her collected letters describe the wilds and hard work of pioneer life in Wyoming, seen through her optimistic and generous gaze, with such fresh and vibrant delight. I wish she were my friend.
These letters written for an audience of one exhibit a love of beauty and unconsciously winsome style that moved me to underline often. Elinore claims she is not educated, but her wisdom and love of writing fully compensate for any lack of formal schooling. Elinore has a gift for turn of phrase, robust love of life and self-sufficiency, as well as positive self-image and a friendly heart that made me smile with every page.
I want to live with the same openness, gratitude, and curiosity.
"...when you get among such grandeur you get to feel how little you are and how foolish is human endeavor, except that which unites us with the mighty force called God. I was plumb uncomfortable, because all my own efforts have always been just to make the best of everything and to take things as they come."
"... I am the luckiest woman in finding really lovely people and having really lovely experiences."
"I get myself all ready to enjoy a success and find that I have to fit a failure. But one consolation is that I generally have plenty of material to cut generously, and many of my failings have proved to be real blessings."
"When you think of me, you must think of me as one who is truly happy. It is true I want a great things I haven't got, but I don't want them enough to be discontented and not enjoy the many blessings that are mine."
"Do you wonder I am so happy? When I think of it all, I wonder how I can crowd all my joy into one short life."
These letters written for an audience of one exhibit a love of beauty and unconsciously winsome style that moved me to underline often. Elinore claims she is not educated, but her wisdom and love of writing fully compensate for any lack of formal schooling. Elinore has a gift for turn of phrase, robust love of life and self-sufficiency, as well as positive self-image and a friendly heart that made me smile with every page.
I want to live with the same openness, gratitude, and curiosity.
"...when you get among such grandeur you get to feel how little you are and how foolish is human endeavor, except that which unites us with the mighty force called God. I was plumb uncomfortable, because all my own efforts have always been just to make the best of everything and to take things as they come."
"... I am the luckiest woman in finding really lovely people and having really lovely experiences."
"I get myself all ready to enjoy a success and find that I have to fit a failure. But one consolation is that I generally have plenty of material to cut generously, and many of my failings have proved to be real blessings."
"When you think of me, you must think of me as one who is truly happy. It is true I want a great things I haven't got, but I don't want them enough to be discontented and not enjoy the many blessings that are mine."
"Do you wonder I am so happy? When I think of it all, I wonder how I can crowd all my joy into one short life."