Non-fiction Audiobook Review: The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder

The life story of the author of the "Little House" books.

Title: The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Frontier Landscapes That Inspired The Little House Books
Author: Marta McDowell, read by Donna Postel
Publication Info: Tantor Audio 2018. 6 1/4 hours. Original hardback 2017 by Timber Press, 390 pages
Source: Library

Publisher's Blurb:
The universal appeal of Laura Ingalls Wilder springs from a life lived in partnership with the land, on farms she and her family settled across the Northeast and Midwest. In this revealing exploration of Wilder's deep connection with the natural world, Marta McDowell follows the wagon trail of the beloved Little House series. You'll learn details about Wilder's life and inspirations, pinpoint the Ingalls and Wilder homestead claims on authentic archival maps, and learn to grow the plants and vegetables featured in the series. Excerpts from Wilder's books, letters, and diaries bring to light her profound appreciation for the landscapes at the heart of her world.

My Review:
The first thing I think I need to say is that, based on the description of the print book, doing this as an audio book might have been a mistake. It was good listening--but missing out on the photos, maps, and other visuals is a shame. I may have to rectify that.

This is both a fun book for fans of the "Little House" books, and a good antidote to some of the misconceptions those books created, not only about Laura's life (they are, after all, works of fiction that are based on her life, not works of biography) but also about the places and conditions of her pioneer childhood. Most of all, the book creates a picture of each place, and the different flora and fauna Laura encountered in each of her many homes. 

The book also fills in some of the history on both sides of the books, as it were--her parents' stories, as well as Laura and Almanzo's adult life, and that of their daughter. Rose Wilder Lane was a writer before her mother, and in their lifetimes, was far the more famous (I think I need to find some of her books and read them).

My Recommendation:
If you are a fan of Wilder's books, this is an excellent companion to the series and a way to gain a more adult understanding of her life. I couldn't follow the lists and instructions about plants and places to visit with which the book concludes, but they might be fun additions to any trip to or through any of the many places she called home. Nothing in the book is unsuitable for children who want to learn more, though it is not written for children.

FTC Disclosure: I borrowed an electronic copy of The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder from my library, and received nothing from the author or the publisher in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”   

 

 ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2023

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