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A review by mattbeatty
Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart
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.