A Wilder Rose

A Novel

By: Susan Wittig Albert

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

The Little House books, which chronicled the pioneer adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder, are among the most beloved books in the American literary canon. Lesser known is the secret, concealed for decades, of how they came to be. Now, best-selling author Susan Wittig Albert reimagines the fascinating story of Laura's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, an intrepid world traveler and writer who returned to her parents' Ozark farm, Rocky Ridge, in 1928. There she began a collaboration with her mother on the pioneer stories that would captivate generations of readers around the world.

Despite the books' success, Rose's involvement would remain a secret long after both women died. A vivid account of a great literary deception, A Wilder Rose is a spellbinding tale of a complicated mother-daughter relationship set against the brutal backdrop of the Great Depression.

©2015 Susan Wittig Albert (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Wait it out. I’m glad I did.

This was a difficult book for me, especially the beginning, as a Little House and Laura Ingalls Wilder lover. Because I am also an inveterate book-finisher, I stuck with the story even though I was offended and even angry with the first two chapters or so. I’m glad I waited it out and I can say that I loved the ending and that I am STILL a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan and have a much greater appreciation and interest in the works of Rose Wilder Lane.

For Laura fans only, I think

It's hard to give a rating to this book. I really liked it, but it has some significant flaws. Long sections of historical context seem poorly integrated and dreadfully similar to research notes. The structure is clunky, moving back and forth between Rose narrating in first person as she experiences events and an omniscient third person as she tells the story to a young friend many years later. The performance, which makes plentiful use of accents and voices, is at times grating but always expressive and engaging. I loved it, despite the flaws.

a bit slow

A nice story but a bit slow. Complicated relationship between Mother and Daughter. Some interesting facts throughout book, but still very monotone. It was hard for me to finish.

Broke my heart, but loved it anyway.

Spoiler Alert
The story moves like fiction but is very much a biographical account of the life of Rose Wilder Lane. We get to see Laura from the Little House books as "Mama Bess"-- all grown up and bossing around her adult daughter. A far cry from the books and TV show. A fascinating read, particularly the epilogue. This book made me want to study Rose's work and who could ask more than that type of reaction?!

A Great Insight Into Freelance Writing

I found this book utterly fascinating. I was never a huge Laura Ingles Wilder fan as a child, but I'm now in love with Rose Wilder Lane. She was a pioneer for writing women everywhere.
Mary Robinette Kowal is a fantastic narrator. She recommend this book on a podcast she contributes to, "Writing Excuses," and it was every bit as amazing as she said it was. Her southern accent is done just right. She never overplays the part, and she keeps her voice from varying in volume, (greatly appreciated for those of us listening with headphones).

The story was well written, with a very contemplative climax, and a real sense of the struggles freelance writers face. Ms. Albert has a mastery of prose, a deft hand with detail, and raises the everyday drama of the 'dirty 30's' with subtle grace that most historical fiction writers lack.
This may not be a great book for people looking for dramatized reenactments. This is an outstanding book for for any kind of writer though.