Author：Laura Elisabeth Ingalls Wilder
Translator: Onchi Mioko
Illustrator: Garth Williams
*original first published in 1933
Full of life and vibrancy, this is the story of Laura’s husband Almanzo’s boyhood.
I read this book in elementary school and remember well the Almanzo’s entry in the fall fair and how this boy was very fond of cows and horses.
Because of this book, it was imprinted on my mind that the United States is a great agricultural country. I also gave me the background to understand that President Carter and President Bush were farmers.
The story is set in Malone, New York, and I was impressed by the fact that New York is not just the city of the Statue of Liberty.
Reading the book now, I can see that in the same era of America as Laura, the Almanzo family had settled, owned property, had a bank account, and had children in the work force, and that the burden on the father varied greatly depending on whether there were boys or not.
The sowing of crops, harvesting, and daily life are all situated within the cycle of the four seasons.
It described that Almanzo’s brother was considering a career as a merchant because of the harshness of the farmer’s life.
However, at the same time, father said to Almanzo that don’t forget that the plow and hoe built this country, in town, everything was dependent on others, and a farmer could live only on himself, the land, and the weather; decide for yourself what you want to do.
The strong sense of American independence and self-reliance were also well written.
(Finish reading: 12/8/2024)
