Book notes | Prairie Fires
Caroline Fraser’s Pulitzer prize-winning book Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder is a meticulously researched biography of the much-loved author of the Little House books. From public documents such as property and financial records, and private writings such as diaries and letters, we learn that Laura’s early, poverty-stricken life was much harsher than her children’s books would have us believe. Prairie Fires provides historical, economic, and social context that gives us a broader view of the forces that shaped Laura’s life.
The first part of Fraser’s book delves into Laura’s childhood. Her father moved the family frequently, always looking for a better opportunity after failed farming ventures, severe droughts, locusts, and fires left the family in poverty, nearing starvation many times. To help support the family, young Laura started working at age nine; she started teaching just shy of her 16th birthday.
In the second part of Prairie Fires, we learn about Almanzo Wilder’s and Laura’s courtship and early years of marriage and their move to Missouri, where the Missouri Ruralist hired Laura to write a column, “As a Farm Woman Thinks.” She later worked as an editor for the farm periodical. She also had a position with the Farm Loan Association, which provided loans to local farmers.
The final portion of Fraser’s book delves deeply into the life of the Wilders’ tempestuous daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, and her tension-filled relationship with her mother. We also learn about Rose’s role as editor and writing coach for the Little House books.
The members of UMRA’s Book Club all agreed that Prairie Fires could use some major editing because the author included every single tidbit she unearthed in her research, giving too much unnecessary information. Some members of the book group thought the last portion was overly centered on Rose’s personal life and her mental illness, and that not enough focus was on Laura and her life with Almanzo when they lived is Missouri. Overall, we would not recommend this book.
—Beth Bedell, UMRA Book Club member
Book Club I to meet March 18
Fri, Mar 18 2022, 2pm
Beth Bedell will lead the discussion of Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 18.
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.