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Summary: I love this woman!
Review: One of the funniest books ever written, The Egg and I is all the more remarkable because it sounds completely contemporary, even though it was written more than 50 years ago and describes events that took place more than 70 years ago. MacDonald had a relentlessly clear eye, a sharp, witty writing style and in her own way was as liberated as was possible for her time (she was divorced and a single mother when such things were considered heinous). And I'd like to say one thing: although she does write disparagingly of some Native Americans living in her area, I think this is more due to a specific dislike of certain people she met rather than a blanket prejudice (early in the book she talks about her love and admiration for the Plains Indians who lived near her childhood home). I think McDonald was a singularly unbiased person, something also unique for a white woman of her era; one only has to read about the close friendships she made with Japanese-American and African-American women in "The Plague and I" (her account of her stay in a tuberculosis sanitarium) to realize this. No misguided PC agenda should deter anyone from reading MacDonald's irreverent and hilarious stories. She was a terrific writer.
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Summary: A treasure trove of wit and beautiful writing
Review: A wonderful book by a very talented woman whose time was far too short. "The Egg and I" is an old and valued friend that I have read dozens of times. It never stales. "The Egg and I", "The Plague and I", "Anybody can do Anything" and "Onions in the Stew" have always been on my bookshelf wherever I've lived. Betty McDonald's humor is such that on the umpteenth reading I laugh out loud. I wish I could have known her and her wonderful family.
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Summary: Lots of laughs...
Review: This book had me howling with laughter. It's the basis for the 1947 film, "The Egg and I," which stars Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray as the young city couple who take to chicken farming. It was written in 1945, and the portrayals of the neighbors and the locality are the highlights of the book, as the young couple struggles to raise chickens, produce, and a baby, while having to deal with the elements, primative living conditions (no electricity or running water), the stove that has a mind of its own, and the neighbors, including the infamous Kettle family (who later appeared in an entire series of films themselves). It's one of those books that had me laughing on nearly every page!
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Summary: This is one of the funniest books I have ever read.
Review: In this chronicle of her years on a chicken farm in the wilds of Washington State, Betty MacDonald writes one of the most humorous books I have ever read. I read this book first as a teenager & I have read it about 10 times since that time. It never fails to bring a laugh. Not only is it funny but it contains a very good story also.Mrs. MacDonald's description of the Washington countryside make you feel as if you were there and her descriptions of her neighbors makes you thankful for yours. It is absolutely a thoroughly charming & delightful book.
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Summary: A visit back in time
Review: I was interested in reading this book based on its descriptions of life on the Olympic Peninsula. However, while reading it I was struck by the roles and plight of women a generation ago, and how primitive life was during that era in rural Western Washington. It seemed like MacDonald was describing the late nineteenth century rather than the pre-World War II period. The author writes in sardonic, self deprecating fashion that is humorous. However, it is interesting to consider its humor today is entirely different from why it was perceived to be humorous in a different generation. Throughout the book, but particularly at the beginning, I found myself frustrated by the secondary role, and subjegation that was an accepted as appropriate and inevitable for women. The callous, condescending manner in which her husband treated her, the sentiment that what he wanted would be an unchallenged part of her fate, and the manner in which he continually undermined her self confidence was incredibly frustrating to read. What probably most exercises readers today is MacDonald's perjorative comments on Native Americans living on the Olympic Peninsula. While consisting of gross generalizations and rude stereotypes, they are in keeping with the other attitudes woven throughout the memoir, and reflect the prevailing sentiments of the era. The fact that this book was viewed as highly entertaining, even hilarious, at the time reinforces that such opinions were predominant during that period. MacDonald's descriptions of the natural beauty of the Peninsula are poetic, and precious as a snapshot of a bygone era. Her recollections of the gruelling work which was required to be successful are engrossing and leave you full of admiration for the strength and fortitude she and her husband demonstrated. This is a good book to read in terms of recent history. It is an important and eye opening work - the type that is necessary to remind us that the need for women's emancipation was far from exaggerated (and that further progress is still needed).
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Summary: Winner of Valentine "Personality Plus" Book Contest
Review: With wit and humor, MacDonald's autobiographical account of homesteading on a chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula carries personality plus. To read this book is to discover writing with Voice; her personality shines throughout and the flavor of her accounts, even while relating bitter, difficult situations, leaves the reader with optimism and hope. Most of the book occurs in the 1930's and early 1940's. MacDonald writes in honest language about her husband, about Maw and Paw Kettle (who later were portrayed in the series of Hollywood films, yes, HERE is where they first appeared), about the Native-American characters Geoduck, Clamface and Sharkey, about Mr. and Mrs. Hicks, about the Moonshiner, about the Fuller Brush Man, about the Bookseller, and so on. She writes about each character with dignity and poise, so that even with their foibles, they still maintain unique qualities that make life--my life after reading this book--so much more rich.
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Summary: What is there to laugh about in the mountains? You'll see!
Review: I love the way this woman can make me laugh. Not just a snicker or a little giggle but a great big uncontrollable (publicly embarrassing) belly laugh. I have read The Egg and I several times and I usually never reread books. Betty MacDonald's talent as an autobiographical writer is unsurpassed and I feel I really know her and her family through her wonderful books. Ms MacDonald went from a bustling and very social life in suburbia to the wild, isolation of the mountains to fully support her new husbands' ambitions in the egg raising industry, where the chicken ruled the roost. Her ability to see humour in drunken indians, smelly children, wild animals and her neighbours is a gift, and a gift I, for one, shall always treasure!
If anyone knows whether Betty MacDonald is still writing or where I can find out more information about her I would love to hear from you. My searches so far have been unsuccessful.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of laughs...
Review: This book had me howling with laughter. It's the basis for the 1947 film, "The Egg and I," which stars Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray as the young city couple who take to chicken farming. It was written in 1945, and the portrayals of the neighbors and the locality are the highlights of the book, as the young couple struggles to raise chickens, produce, and a baby, while having to deal with the elements, primative living conditions (no electricity or running water), the stove that has a mind of its own, and the neighbors, including the infamous Kettle family (who later appeared in an entire series of films themselves). It's one of those books that had me laughing on nearly every page!
Rating:
Summary: One of the funniest books ever
Review: I love this book and can read it over and over and still laugh outloud. The most mundane and tedious tasks end up being delighfully funny. I would love to see a good movie made of this book not the horrible one with Cluadette Clobert and Fred Macmurray. Her other books are also very good.
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Summary: the real Ma and Pa Kettle
Review: After watching all the Ma and Pa Kettle movies with my daughters, I bought this book so we could learn where the stories came from. My daughters enjoyed comparing the characters and scenes from the movies to what was in the book. Betty MacDonald, whom I knew nothing about, amazed me with her sense of humor. My 10-year-old commented on the unexpected twists that often changed a sentence into something totally hilarious. The only negative, other than the unkind portrayal of some characters, is that some sections of description were long and boring. In general, this was a hilarious book, and I'm glad we found it.
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