Book Review of #4 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
ISBN: 0-06-440004-2
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Part of a Series: prequels; Little House in the big woods, Little house on the prairie, Farmer Boy. Sequels; By the shores of silver lake
Type of book: 1874?-1876? kid to young adult, isolated, Minnesota
Year it was published: 1937
Summary:
The family's first home in Minnesota was made of sod. But Pa builds a clean new house beside Plum Creek. The money for materials will ceom from their first wheat harvest. Then, just before the wheat is ready to harvest, a strange glittering cloud fills hte sky, blocking out the sun. Soon millions of grasshoppers cover the field and everything on the farm. In a week's time, there is no wheat crop left at all.
Characters:
The characters are more rounded and don't seem to be goody-goody two shoes. Laura is more braver and a tomboy character, while Mary becomes more of a ladylike character. Mary also seems to be a follower, while Laura is clearly a leader. There is still love between the parents, and how Pa tries his best to provide for the family and is the Renaissance Man of the Pioneer Saga. More characters also make an appearance such as Nellie Olson which will be an important character in Little Town on the Prairie and These Happy Golden Years, and it also shows Laura's mean streak, how important the family is to her.
Theme:
As long as you have loved ones by your side, you can get through anything. Men is dependent and very vulnerable when it comes to nature.
Plot:
This was written in third person point of view from Laura's side. Some things that were written there seemed to be amazing such as the cloud of grasshoppers, the balls of fire, the description and vividness of blizzards, and compare and contrast learning from 2011 to late 19th century. There aren't a lot of picture in there, unfortunately but I guess like J.K Rowling's, as kids grow up, so do the books.
Author Information:
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder (February 7, 1867 – February 10, 1957) was an American author who wrote the Little House series of books based on her childhood in a pioneer family.[1] Laura's daughter, Rose, inspired Laura to write her books. (from wikipedia)
Opinion:
In the previous two books we were barely presented with Laura and Mary's personalities but were constantly lectured to about them, (Mary in particular,) being similar to angels. In this one we see more of the sisters, how they fight, what they enjoy doing. Apparently the sisters are normal. I also saw the encroachment of civlization to Plum Creek, that Laura and Mary were really growing up; starting schools, a few times bringing in other people besides the family members, attending church. There are also similar threat of poverty and life and death situations. Laura is no longer a little girl but instead is becoming into a young woman.
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
Comments
Post a Comment