Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression
Book Review: Now I know where my parents were coming from.....
Summary: 4 Stars
Some of the mysteries of why and how I was reared have been explained in a way my parents, especially my mother, could never articulate! I wish I'd had this book when I was struggling in my Racism and Discrimination class to write my own cultural history. I actually told the prof that a white girl from a Nebraska farm didn't really have any culture, but Little Heathens nailed my cultural background--the culture of Depression era farmers and their families. Book Review: An Interesting look back at Yesterday. . .
Summary: 4 Stars
I delved into this book with great anticipation. The author is only a few years younger than my mother and the area she writes about in rural Iowa is just 50 miles east of where my grandfather was born. It brought back a lot of memories for me as I am sure it will for many other readers.
There were many things to like in this book that combines anecdotes from the 1930s with recipes and how to do things the old way. I enjoyed the anecdotes and would have enjoyed the book if it had been sprinkled with less of the recipes and more of the stories from the 1930s--stories which ranged from poignant to laugh-out-loud funny. Her stories range from such events as box socials (and giving a complete explanation of what one is for those who may not know) to how to gather honey from bees (and what happens if you do it the wrong way). She tells of how hard work it was it was back in the day, but does recall there was time for a bit of leisure as well.
At once a memoir, a how-to book, and a cookbook, Kalish tells her story with enthusiasm but with a bit of pompousness that was a bit unnecessary. She acts as if she was the only person ever to know how to do some of these things described and that her way was the only way. Heck, I am 25 years younger than she is and I can remember doing many of the same things at my grandparents' farm in North Dakota two decades later, and even do some of these same things today. Although the subtitle mentions "hard times" it is clear that due to help from her grandparents and a self-sufficient farm, Kalish and her siblings never really went without anything on her farm during the depression so anyone who is reading this book and expects it to be a true hardship tale best look elsewhere. It is a great look down memory lane for those from Kalish's generation who I am sure will enjoy reading and reminiscing about another time and place. It seems though that most of the time the author is writing for an audience who hasn't lived through any of these events, remembers none of these times (stoking an old wood fire, splitting wood,making head cheese, butchering a chicken, making May Day baskets). That said, it is quick interesting read but recommended with reservations as although a memoir, how-to book and cookbook, it doesn't completely succeed at any of these.
Book Review: Wonderful Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book. Kalish is such a descriptive yet straightforward writer, and this account of her childhood effortlessly took all my senses to her farm in Iowa. I recommend this book to anyone.Book Review: Little Heathens
Summary: 4 Stars
I am enjoying this book very much, and plan to pass it on to my parents, both of whom grew up in (and have moved back to)the country. I think it will bring back great memories for them. Book Review: Fond Memories Delightfully Recalled
Summary: 4 Stars
The author has covered in wonderful detail and realism the challenges, learning and pleasures of being young and poor in rural America during a time of national despair. For those who remember that time and those places, her honestly-written story and pithy anecdotes on everything from school to chores to church and hand-me-downs will evoke memories good and bad of having been somewhere near there and having done something like that- or at least knowing someone who did. For those who have no direct memory of those times and circumstances, Little Heathens offers an entertaining and useful understanding of how millions of Americans survived and grew with spirit, integrity, humor, determination and the values that underlie our subsequent accomplishments.