Prairie Fires
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2017
641
Biography • Nonfiction
American Midwest • 19th century
2017
Adult
18+ years
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder, by Caroline Fraser, is a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder that situates her life and literary work within the broader historical context of the American Midwest. Fraser explores Wilder's early struggles in a nomadic, impoverished family and later hardships in marriage, showing how these experiences influenced her Little House series, which blends autobiographical elements with fiction. The book addresses issues such as food insecurity and medical challenges.
Informative
Nostalgic
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
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Caroline Fraser's Prairie Fires offers a compelling and exhaustive exploration of Laura Ingalls Wilder's life and America's frontier history. Praised for its meticulous research and rich contextual background, the book has been critiqued for its dense detail, which some readers find overwhelming. However, its comprehensive narrative provides a nuanced understanding of Wilder’s legacy.
Readers who appreciated the intricate historical narrative in The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson or the biographical depth in Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin will find Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser compelling. It appeals to those interested in American history, biography, and the frontier era, with vivid storytelling and meticulous research.
21,534 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
641
Biography • Nonfiction
American Midwest • 19th century
2017
Adult
18+ years
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