The Egg and I - Betty MacDonald
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- Jenny_Lynn
- mariaandrea
- jerrib
- jerrib
- Renie_Burghardt
- Sunbear
- jerrib
- jerrib
- AnneWatkins
- jerrib
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» Jenny_Lynn - The Egg and I
I love that book! So nice to hear Betty McDonald's background.Decorating W/Feng Shui - The Vibration of Color
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1598...
-- posted by Jenny_Lynn
» mariaandrea - Vashon Island!
My mother would probably never admit this, but I think we moved to Vashon Island in 1974 when I was 10 because of "Onions in the Stew!" I grew up with Betty's books, loved "The Egg and I" but "Onions" always had the fondest place in my heart because she was one of "our own."Great article Jerri and great fun to read about her, but it's Vashon Island. 
I haven't been to the island in a decade, but funny how that hometown loyalty always surfaces.
-- posted by mariaandrea
» jerrib - Re: Vashon Island!
In response to message posted by mariaandrea:Maria: The Bed&Breakfast site says she lived on Vashon while writing her books. Somehow between researching and writing the keyboard took me to another island!!! Thanks for pointing this our, Maria. Of course it was Vashon.
I haven't read Onions in the the Stew but just got home from the bookstore with The Egg and I and intend to read it today. It's been a long time.
Glad you found Betty again - perhaps you'll introduce your children to her.
-- posted by jerrib
» Renie_Burghardt - The Egg and I
Hi Jerri, I read the Egg and I years ago, too, and will have to read it again now. And Linda thought chicken farms were only in Arkansas! Hehe. She was a terrific writer, and I'm glad you showcased her. Good to know she was from Washing State. What an enjoyable article. Thank you, Jerri. Hope you're doing well!-- posted by Renie_Burghardt
» Sunbear - Egg and I, etc.
Hi Jerri,Remember thinking that I should read this book many years ago, but did not.
I did see the movie though which is delightful (especially Colbert).
Thanks for another interesting article.
Tom
Latest article: Cleaning the Spring
-- posted by Sunbear
» jerrib - Re: The Egg and I
In response to message posted by Renie_Burghardt:I got the book yesterday, Renie, and finally had to put it down to get some sleep. It is fascinating.
MacDonald's descriptions of Washington State are so true and what she went through as a well-heeled child turned bride married to an older wilderness-loving man are unbelievable.
He took her to "nowhere," isolated and worked her like a farmhand. Chickens took first place. Anyway, the rest you just have to read. It was a hard life and she fought to keep her head up. Her love for the land and her spirit were what kept her going.
I don't believe I've read such a wonderful book in a long time. You can guess what I'll be doing today.
I just finished Grisham's Skipping Christmas this week, too, so I've had my nose in books all week. It was good, but I would recommed The Egg and I over it any day.
I'm going to reread The Egg and I again to relish the wonderful writing and descriptions immediately after I finish it - it's that good!
Hope everyone gets it. When we have the opportunity to recommend books, it will be one on my site.
Thanks for stopping in.
-- posted by jerrib
» jerrib - Re: Egg and I, etc.
In response to message posted by Sunbear:I hope you do read the book, Bob. It's a lot more than about chickens.
Here's an excerpt after MacDonald endured an exceptionally hard winter:
"The spring sun, a bold-faced, full-blooded little wench, obviously no kin to the sallow creature who simpered in and out occasionally during the winter, bestowed her warm carresses impartially on the handsome, virile timber, the tender plowed land and the ugly impotent barn. Every place she touched throbbed hopefully and there was a rapid spreading epidemic of pale green mustaches and beards. The mountains'noses began to run and though they tied veils over their heads they seemed less formidable."
She talks about "Stove" - the only source of heat and cooking and a pain to keep going every day as if it were a force out of control. Every word leaves you wanting more.
The entire book is like that. Do get ahold of it. I think you'd really enjoy it.
I only wish I had read it again before I wrote this article - my article would have been much more colorful.
Glad to have you visit. Thanks for stopping in.
-- posted by jerrib
» AnneWatkins - Re: Re: The Egg and I
In response to message posted by jerrib:And didn't her descriptions of all the different kinds of food they had access to just made you soooo hungry?? I always felt like Bob (her husband) was entirely unsympathetic to her and her feelings. But what a fabulous writer she was!! Like I said, The Egg and I is like a comfort book (you know, like a comfort food. LOL!) for me...it always makes me feel good to read it. One of my all time favorite reads. Makes me feel a bit inadequate as a writer, too, after reading her great work! hehe.
Anne
-- posted by AnneWatkins
» jerrib - Re: Re: Re: The Egg and I
In response to message posted by AnneWatkins:Anne: You needn't feel inadequate about your writing. I think you do a wonderful job.
About Bob. I think he was totally unsympathtic, too, but that was the way women were treated by a lot of men in 1945 when the book was written.
I certainly would have popped on my Elizabeth Cady Stanton style and put my foot down if it were me!! Good thing I was not alive even at that time. I made sure I put my two cents in and did my thing in the 60's!!
Considering they divorced after four years, I can see why!
Anyway, you're right. It is a comfort book. It will be on my bookshelf forever now.
-- posted by jerrib
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