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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This is a reread from my childhood, and all I really remembered from this book was that she lived with a horrible relative who didn't want to give up the paisley shawl. I was curious and re-read...
And woof. Oh boy. Tales of the frontier. It's probably more accurate than I'd like to think. Ginny is sold/married off as a child-bride, so her selfish...Uncle? Cousin? can get the money needed to set up his claim, and the husband can claim twice as much land since he's married. She then stays with the horrible relatives until she reaches the "appropriate" age of fifteen...which isn't so terrible in the time period, except her husband is at least twice, maybe three times her age. He's not so bad--he's kind, and keeps his promises (even ones he made five years ago, to a child), and looks like he'll stand up for her against her horrible relatives. Fortunately, he has a very convenient stroke the same night she goes home with him so we're spared the trauma of a wedding night. Ginny is now a widow!
The rest of the book is Ginny learning to fend for herself, with the help of the neighbor's cast-off native wife (one thing I'll say, the author doesn't flinch from showing racism and the contemporary attitudes, and how wrong they were) and a local townswoman. It's really sad to read- reading through Ginny's perspective, its so easy to see that she's still a child, despite her hard life. Even the happy ending, which was probably as happy as she was gonna get, is a little bitter-sweet. I don't think I'd mind my children reading this, but it was a weird experience to revisit!
And woof. Oh boy. Tales of the frontier. It's probably more accurate than I'd like to think. Ginny is sold/married off as a child-bride, so her selfish...Uncle? Cousin? can get the money needed to set up his claim, and the husband can claim twice as much land since he's married. She then stays with the horrible relatives until she reaches the "appropriate" age of fifteen...which isn't so terrible in the time period, except her husband is at least twice, maybe three times her age. He's not so bad--he's kind, and keeps his promises (even ones he made five years ago, to a child), and looks like he'll stand up for her against her horrible relatives. Fortunately, he has a very convenient stroke the same night she goes home with him so we're spared the trauma of a wedding night. Ginny is now a widow!
The rest of the book is Ginny learning to fend for herself, with the help of the neighbor's cast-off native wife (one thing I'll say, the author doesn't flinch from showing racism and the contemporary attitudes, and how wrong they were) and a local townswoman. It's really sad to read- reading through Ginny's perspective, its so easy to see that she's still a child, despite her hard life. Even the happy ending, which was probably as happy as she was gonna get, is a little bitter-sweet. I don't think I'd mind my children reading this, but it was a weird experience to revisit!
2019 Review
Between this book and [b:Howl's Moving Castle|6294|Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle, #1)|Diana Wynne Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407450489l/6294._SY75_.jpg|2001], I think I need to go back and re-read all my old favorites. You see, I've been grossly deceived. In my memory the romance plays out in the last chapter and the rest of the book is about pioneer life or something.
Y'all, THE ENTIRE BOOK CENTERS ON THE ROMANCE.
I don't know how I missed it in my earlier readings. It quite worries me that I could remain so oblivious. But you know, when you re-read a book so many times you go in with preconceived notions...
Anyway, I still loved it. Even more, actually, now that I see how it all ties together. Perhaps a bit politically incorrect for modern standards (I wonder if that is why the library got rid of it?) but the overall message remains strong. The romance is adorable. The main character flawed but lovable. And that preacher guy a lot more annoying than I remembered.
Perhaps not quite so effusively recommended for all age groups as my earlier review would say, but certainly middle school on up.
Originally Review
Again, how could I have forgotten this book? It has been a favorite of mine since I first picked it up, over five years ago. It is great historical fiction and a wonderful story. Perfect for every age and makes a great read-aloud!!
Between this book and [b:Howl's Moving Castle|6294|Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle, #1)|Diana Wynne Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407450489l/6294._SY75_.jpg|2001], I think I need to go back and re-read all my old favorites. You see, I've been grossly deceived. In my memory the romance plays out in the last chapter and the rest of the book is about pioneer life or something.
Y'all, THE ENTIRE BOOK CENTERS ON THE ROMANCE.
I don't know how I missed it in my earlier readings. It quite worries me that I could remain so oblivious. But you know, when you re-read a book so many times you go in with preconceived notions...
Anyway, I still loved it. Even more, actually, now that I see how it all ties together. Perhaps a bit politically incorrect for modern standards (I wonder if that is why the library got rid of it?) but the overall message remains strong. The romance is adorable. The main character flawed but lovable. And that preacher guy a lot more annoying than I remembered.
Perhaps not quite so effusively recommended for all age groups as my earlier review would say, but certainly middle school on up.
Originally Review
Again, how could I have forgotten this book? It has been a favorite of mine since I first picked it up, over five years ago. It is great historical fiction and a wonderful story. Perfect for every age and makes a great read-aloud!!
A story about a young woman coming of age during prairie times Oregon. Learning to live with and except other people and doing a bit of growing up along the way. A simple, but sweet story good for all ages.
Really cute. Good plot. Good ending. Well developed characters.
And she is named after me, can it get much better?
Recommended to my family, etc. They liked it a lot.
And she is named after me, can it get much better?
Recommended to my family, etc. They liked it a lot.
Okay, when you read this you have to keep in mind it was published in the eighties and is set in nineteenth century Oregon. The whole ten-year-old marriage/sold for money to a man older than her dead father/expected to perform “wife” duties once she turned fifteen is problematic, but it’s not as bad as it sounds.
That’s a lie, it’s bad, that should have never happened, and while this fictional Ginny was treated well by her husband, there were hundreds of other real stories like her that didn’t end so well.
But, for the tough thing this book portrays, I think it was admirable. It was simple, too—two hundred pages, nothing but the bare necessities, it was good for a nice one-sitting reading.
It was nice, and still very E rated. There were no mentions of uncomfortable subjects (you know). It’s safe, which is good because she’s fifteen and technically that’s illegal now. Her marriage, as well.
So maybe this book isn’t the best for our finally understanding, politically correct world, but it’s a nice idea with a pretty package, nothing special, just something that feels like it’s known to you before and you’ve come back.
That’s a lie, it’s bad, that should have never happened, and while this fictional Ginny was treated well by her husband, there were hundreds of other real stories like her that didn’t end so well.
But, for the tough thing this book portrays, I think it was admirable. It was simple, too—two hundred pages, nothing but the bare necessities, it was good for a nice one-sitting reading.
It was nice, and still very E rated. There were no mentions of uncomfortable subjects (you know). It’s safe, which is good because she’s fifteen and technically that’s illegal now. Her marriage, as well.
So maybe this book isn’t the best for our finally understanding, politically correct world, but it’s a nice idea with a pretty package, nothing special, just something that feels like it’s known to you before and you’ve come back.