The Plague and I

Common Reader Editions

By: Betty MacDonald

Narrated by: Heather Henderson

" The Plague and I" recounts MacDonald's experiences in a Seattle sanitarium, where the author spent almost a year (1938-39) battling tuberculosis. The White Plague was no laughing matter, but MacDonald nonetheless makes a sprightly tale of her brush with something deadly.

"Anybody Can Do Anything" is a high-spirited, hilarious celebration of how "the warmth and loyalty and laughter of a big family" brightened their weathering of the Great Depression.

In "Onions in the Stew", MacDonald is in unbuttonedly frolicsome form as she describes how, with husband and daughters, she set to work making a life on a rough-and-tumble island in Puget Sound, a ferry ride from Seattle.

©1948 Betty MacDonald (P)2016 Post Hypnotic Press Inc.

Great read

I enjoyed it! Great, funny, informative. Glad I found Betty MacDonald. She is a lost treasure.

I love Betty McDonald's books

This story is endlessly entertaining, and beautifully read! It has been a real pleasure having it read to me via Audible

Laughing All The Way

Would you consider the audio edition of The Plague and I to be better than the print version?

Not better, just a different way to read. Plus at this point in time you need to look for a used copy to read the book. I have been on a campaign to get this book on Kindle for several years, but it hasn't happened, yet.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Plague and I?

Betty's first night at The Pines.

Which character – as performed by Heather Henderson – was your favorite?

Betty Bard Macdonald

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Betty got a job offer at the end of the story.

Any additional comments?

For anyone who hasn't connected the dots, Betty Bard MacDonald was the author of The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books for children which I have wonderful memories of growing up. She also authored several autobiographical books for adults. She told the story of her family and of her years growing up, of her time raising chickens with her husband and in particular, this book, my favorite, "The Plague and I". This is the story of Betty's time in a tubercular sanatorium in Washington state back in the thirties. At this point in time there were no drugs that could effectively treat TB and it was becoming rampant in this country. In this era, people were many times ordered into sanatoriums in an attempt to get their illness under control and effect a cure as well as to protect the public. Betty went voluntarily and this is the story of her treatment and cure. Lest you think this sounds too depressing for words, let me just say that Betty MacDonald was a top humorist of her time. Before you know it you will find yourself laughing out loud if not rolling on the floor. I have read this book at least a dozen times over many years and it never gets old. I know I will listen to the audio book many more times. Please give this book a listen, you won't regret it!!

Good lesson in choosing to be positive!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

After she came back home-trying to figure out how to live on 'the outside'.

Any additional comments?

I sure did learn a lot about recovering in a sanitarium! I cannot imagine staying there for so long! And quietly. And here she comes away with her sense of humor. What a gem.

A delightful book to listen to

Any additional comments?

The year is 1938 and more than 700 sanitariums were open nationwide for the treatment of tuberculosis. Matter of fact, in the first decades of the 20th century, 1 out of every 170 Americans lived in a sanatorium. Just think about that for a second….1 out of every 170 souls entered into the care of a sanatorium and sadly they probably never left. Tuberculosis, also known as ‘consumption’ or the ‘White Plague’, has killed many people in the history of America. The disease has caused much suffering from hacking, bloody coughs, debilitating pain in their lungs, and fatigue.

One of these poor souls to enter a sanatorium with tuberculosis was Betty MacDonald. What probably had been a turbulent and frightening time in her life, Ms. MacDonald relayed the events and her time at the “Pines” sanatorium with humorous and witty dialogue. Her vivid descriptions of daily life and her fellow residents painted a clear and precise picture in my mind and I could visualize everything perfectly as the story progressed. The retelling of how patients were treated stirred up some anger and sadness within me and I can’t imagine even living under some of the circumstances and conditions, but Ms. MacDonald brought humor and wittiness throughout which made The Plague and I a delightful read. One thing is certain; I have a greater appreciation for modern medicine after listening to this book!

The Plague and I is narrated by Heather Henderson and her performance was spectacular and hands-down amazing. In my opinion, her voice of Betty MacDonald is perfect and I feel as though Ms. MacDonald is telling me the story herself. Each of the other characters in the story has their own distinct voice and each one was perfect. The production quality of this audio book was very good. Each chapter started and ended with a musical clip. I don’t normally like when music is inserted within an audio book, but this time I thought that it really added to the story and each clip was short and the music was from that time period, which I happen to love.

Overall, despite the gloomy topic, this was a delightful book to listen to and I found myself laughing throughout. The Plague and I was well-written, with charming characters and a story line that was both educational and amusing. Ms. MacDonald was a gifted and talented story-teller and when added with the awesomeness of Ms. Henderson’s many voices really blends everything together beautifully and effortlessly. I am a big fan of both Betty MacDonald and Heather Henderson - knowing that without a doubt that I am guaranteed a great read when it comes to this combination of author and narrator.

Story – 4 stars
Performance – 5 stars
Overall – 4.5 stars

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Post Hypnotic Press, Inc. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.