A Wilder Rose: A Novel

Although it was interesting to learn the s facts surrounding the writing of "Little house on the Prairie" and others - this book is very repetitive and somewhat boring. Rose Lane should have more spunk, and her mother, clearly not a "nice person", maybe understandably selfish. But at least I have learned something. Maybe 3 stars. Nurit Amit

I really enjoyed the background info I got from reading this book. It does throw a different light on the Little House books and their author. I had always thought the books were awfully well written for Laura's background. I still love the Little House books and see the stories as portraying episodes in the life of a real pioneer lady. The relationship of Laura and Rose is more realistic after reading this book.

Good story, lots of details about the "dirty 30's" and the politics of some things. As a young girl I grew up reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and loved them so much I continued re-reading them into adulthood. I had no idea that Rose was Laura's ghostwriter! That was quite a surprise! The book was a good read and now I feel like I should once again read the Little House books.

Insightful. Easy to read. I usually shy away from historical books but being a Little House on the Prairie fan, I was tempted by this one. I am so glad I read this book. Gives background and understanding to the series as well as answers all the questions about what happened to Laura and Almanzo after the were married.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's books were formative for me as a little girl, and learning more about Rose Wilder Lane, who made them what they were, was fascinating. I appreciated the fictional framework and the detail of the lives of the characters. As a big fan of Susan Wittig Albert's other books, this one was a change, and a welcome one! Thank you for a great pleasure.

It is fascinating to read the true story behind the Little House books - but also sad to learn that Laura really wasn't as portrayed by Melissa Gilbert! Don't think I would have liked the adult Laura very much, although I respect the hardships she endured. Not sure I could have had the patience that Rose showed her.

anyone reading this story won't be too interested in the Laura little house stories because it really shows the differences between Rose and her mother and how they got along and it was a little disappointing for a child to read so I wouldn't recommend that

If you are curious about the Wilder series, this is an easy read. Of limited interest to those whose interest in China Bowles stories led them to this book. I have lived through most of the book's time line. The book captures the grimness of the dust bowl. The protagonist dislikes President Roosevelt and the story is told with that bias. Good writing, a bit bleak. Very little comic relief.

Interesting read and I'm enjoy it. Because she speaks about 'editing' her mother's books more truthfully embelishing them, it makes one wonder if she has done the same with her own books? Either way they are funreads to envision what their life was like. They certainly ade some really good money and their estate prbably still receives royalties on sales.

Enjoyed the book,but got tired of her semi complaining , about how her mother's tales were a burden to have to edit. She seemed to go and come as she pleased. Took having her own place and not having to help her aging parent physically as usual occurrence instead of a blessing. She was always fee to pursue what she was wanting to write or do.

Seems honest yet fictionalized truth in the manner of the Little House books. Is it the best writing ever? Probably not. Somewhat compelling. I’m slightly disenchanted with Laura as a writer, but I’ve gained new respect for Rose. I’ll probably read more written by Rose Wilder.

This was a very different Albert book. It presented the relationships between Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter who apparently actually did much of the writing of the Little House Series for her mother. At least she had to do extensive editing often under protest from Laura. It was well written, but did not hold my interest nearly as well as Albert's mysteries, having read nearly all of her China Bayles novels.

A Wilder Rose is an interesting, if slow read. It certainly had plenty of opinions to share. I had to skim over some of the repetitive parts and the lengthy explanations. It really just kept going over Rose being her mother's ghost writer and I just found that very tedious. Talking about it a few times still would have gotten the point across.

I was expecting the characters to be similar to the tv characters and books. Big disappointment in that regard, but after the initial shock, I found it to be very well written and a great insight into the family and life during that interesting time of American history. A must read for all of us that loved Little House On The Prairie.

In starting the book was a little disappointed, but later on it really grew on me. Excellent writing skills, and I much enjoy learning more about authors' personal lives. I was a little shocked to see that the books I and my children read when younger about the Little House on the Prairie series was not totally by Laura Ingalls Wilder. But that soon was dispelled by the facts.

It was interesting to read another view of Rose Wilder Lane and her mother, Laura Ingalls Wilder. However, didn't like the semi-fictiional style. One was not sure what was fact and what the author's imagination.

It's fairly well known that Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter, Rose, had a somewhat combative relationship. But this book is written lovingly and with understanding of the foibles of mother/daughter relationships. I found it enlightening and very human. I'm glad it was written.

This is a fascinating story about the daughter of Laura Ingles Wilder, the author of "The Little House on the Prarie" series. It turns out the daughter was the unappreciated ghost writer of her mother's books. I read it in one day because I simply could not put the book down.

This was a true account of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter Rose Wilder Lane. It is based on diaries and journals. It surprised me to find out that the authorship of the Little House on the Prairie Series was more from Rose than Laura. The book explores the relationship of mother and daughter which is different than one would have thought.

I had to keep reminding myself that this was fiction because I have been a big Laura Ingalls Wilder fan since 4th grade. (I'm 50 now) It was a very good book, I thought and worth your time. I enjoyed how the author tied history in to the story, especially the Dust Bowl. It gave insight into their world.

I honestly couldn't give this story a higher rating. I know it was written as fiction, but there seems to have been too little information for such a period of time. It became almost as a whirlwind, with no real stability or grounding force. Things were touched on or hinted at, but never really fleshed out.

This book painted a much clearer picture of the real author of the Little House Books. It was done as a ghost writer in the best of ways. Rose gave her mother the credit and the honor as well as the money needed to live after the hardships of Laura's childhood. Very interesting and very well written. Really enjoyed reading it.

A really interesting study on the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, and how we can find our own destiny via complicated paths. The fact that it is the story of people we think we know because of the books we read as children adds to the texture of the book.

This book captivated my imagination not only because it spoke of books I loved as a child , but how they came to be, how America used to be, and how FDR and his New Deal took America down the road to the hell of social justice and lazy complacency that has been the roots of our destruction. My God this was a good read.

A wonderful read! Rose was the most loyal daughter to her mother! It's easy to see how much she cared for and loved her parents in doing everything possible to assure her parents could live out their days as respected self sufficient people. This reader loved reading about the remainder of all their lives.

I have always enjoyed Susan Wittig Alberts books, and I grew up on the Little House books. So, I was excited to read this story. Rose Wilder had a pretty interesting life, I had not known much about her. I liked this book enough that I bought a second copy and gifted it, since this book doesn't seem to be shareable on Kindle.

Great research on this book and a good read. Dysfunctional family that gives an interesting twist to the relationship of these two women and how the books got written. Susan Wittig Albert is my favorite mystery author - she is the best - love her mysteries too - especially the China Bayles ones.

Interesting reading. I enjoyed learning more of the story behind Laura Ingalls Wilder's life. As a fan of "Little House on the Prairie" I had already developed an interest in the main characters. I am also a fan of Susan Wittig Albert's work and this was quite a departure for her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have recommended it to many. It's a great story about Laura Ingalls Winder and her daughter Rose. We see them from good times, thru the Depression and out the other side. The author makes one feel they are there too.

Though a bit repetitive, a generally well-done and insightful fictional (although very close to factual) look at the probable/possible backstory of a popular series of books that also spawned a TV series and other spin-offs. Worth reading, especially since an Ingalls-Wilder book is back on the NYTBR pages.

Disappointment after loving the books and characters so much, then meeting querulous Laura and libertarian Rose, whose politics and occasional pettiness were offputting. Probably shouldn't have delved.

thoughly enjoyed this story, as it examined , in depth, two connected lives, mother and daughter. The changing times of that era and different personalities of each offered much insight into a past and rich history I did not live in.....