Harriet C. reviewed Very disappointed in this fictional version of LIW's life on 2/10/2009 + 2 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 4

Missouri Homestead is a fictional account of Laura Ingalls' Wilder and her family's beginnings in Mansfield, MO. Writer T.L. Tedrow's depiction of Laura and Almanzo is completely in contradiction to both the LIW series and other historical accounts of the couple's personalities, really putting at odds Laura's spiritual beliefs and her behavior in the book. I do not believe that the real LIW would have done any of the things depicted in the novel. While I realize the book is FICTION, I found it impossible to reconcile my vision of LIW with the character portrayed in this book. "The Rose Years" and "The Caroline Years" are a much better depiction of the families than this book is. I wish Mr. Tedrow would have been more historically accurate, and used real characters, such as the Wilders' best friends, the Cooleys, in the book. As it is, Laura is portrayed as a nasty, self absorbed, materialistic woman, always wanting the next big invention, like a refrigerator, a telephone, a car, etc. One must remember that the real LIW actually left the "modern" electricized home that Rose built for her on Rocky Ridge Farm, and moved back into the simple farmhouse that she and Almanzo built. I think that a wealth of information on Laura's character could have been gathered from her early newspaper writings, and a much more pleasant and likable character created.

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