Pamela Smith Hill

I bought this during my visit to Laura Ingalls Wilder's Rocky Ridge home in Mansfield, Missouri, last summer, though I have had it on my wish list to acquire for some years.

I have already read Hills' fabulously edited, annotated book of Wilder's Pioneer Girl manuscript. A Writer's Life covers much of the same material, of course, but is a quick and fascinating read as it specifically focuses on Laura Ingalls Wilder's development as a writer. This begins with her childhood writings through her daughter Rose's rising career, to the Pioneer Girl manuscript and the subsequent Little House books. The publication story behind the books truly intrigues me. As an author myself, I have some insight into the baffling world of New York City publishing, and it amazes me how little some things have changed in eighty years!

I really like how Hill handles the controversy of the authorship of the books. The book abounds in citations--this is a scholarly work--and her research is meticulous as she demonstrates through existing letters the role that Rose played in the development of the series.

In all, a great read for anyone with an interest in the real stories behind the Little House books, and definitely a faster, cheaper, and more accessible read than the full tome of Pioneer Girl (though I highly recommend that, too).… (meer)

This was a very good book. It was straightforward about Wilder's writing career and the influence and collaboration her daughter Rose Wilder Lane shared in the creation of the Little House books. Much of what Hill wrote in A Writer's Life is a part of the new Pioneer Girl that came out this year; However, Pioneer Girl has Wilder's original autobiographical manuscript along with Hill's annotations and wonderful photos. Another great book about Laura Ingalls Wilder and the creation of the world of the Little Houses.… (meer)