Reviews

New Dawn on Rocky Ridge by Roger Lea MacBride, Dan Andreasen

erikars's review against another edition

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3.0

I didn't enjoy this as much as others in the series, although it was still a mostly entertaining read. The first annoyance is that we're going through Rose's annoying teenager period. Quite intentionally, her attitude is annoying. While this is not inaccurate, it is harder to read a book when you suddenly kind of dislike the main character. The other annoyance was the intrusion of much more explicit libertarian politics in what should have been part of the book focused on sad events in the extended family.

However, those were both strongest at the end of the book. Throughout most of the book, it was the same delightful slice-of-life vignettes that made the earlier books enjoyable.

jeneaket's review against another edition

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4.0

Changing to Laura's POV for Pa's death was a nasty trick, I have to say. :(

alivegurl's review

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5.0

Most people would remember Laura Ingalls when hearing the words "Little House on the Praire." However, for me, Rose has more of a sentimental value. I've read some books from this series when I was but a little girl—in translated Indonesian version—so reading this just gives me all the fuzzy feelings I remember having then. I've been putting off reading this one for so long—mainly, because I was so used to the translated version, I didn't feel comfortable with the original English one. But now I'm very, very glad to have read it.

This is such a wholesome book—as I'm sure all the books in this series are. It shows the human nature and small-town life in the 19th/20th century America so vividly. I like pretty much all the characters, except Elsa Beaumont—that girl needs to learn some manners and basic humility. I also love the dynamics between each of the characters, especially that of Mama (Laura Ingalls Wilder) and Papa (Alamanzo Wilder). The little bits of illustration now and there really helps bring the story to life, making it much easier to picture what the world looked like back then.

What I adore so much from this book is the social issues it brings up. It shows feminism and female empowerment in a way that is entirely different from what we know today. It doesn't seem forced or absolute, but incredibly personal and fair. It really shows reason and logic behind the movement. It also talks quite a lot about politics and socio-economic classes, what with the difference of treatment of farmer kids and children of the town among their peers. The most beautiful part is how this is done with such subtlety and casually, that it doesn't—even for a little bit—seem at all preachy or in-your-face.

Reading this book has absolutely make me want to read more from this series—of similar books from similar time periods. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy and brings out all the emotions in me. Highly recommended for everyone!

maew's review

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Fascinating true story about one girl's life in the turn of the century. I always find it interesting reading about how different attitudes were then, and the reactions to new inventions like telephones, cars and *horror* indoor toilets!
I really relate to Rose, and found although the book was very simply written, it was beautifully done. I cried in several places, it was that good.
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