Faces at the Window

by Rose Wilder Lane

Paperback

Published January 1, 1972

About the author

Rose Wilder Lane was an American writer, journalist, and political thinker whose work ranged from fiction to biography and social commentary, and who became an influential advocate of individual liberty in the twentieth century. Born to Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder, she grew up amid financial hardship and frequent moves before her family settled in Missouri, experiences that later informed both her own writing and her collaboration with her mother. As the only surviving child, she developed independence early, shaped by a frontier environment that demanded resilience, adaptability, and self-reliance in daily life and work. After completing her schooling, she worked as a telegrapher in several states, gaining practical skills and financial independence while educating herself through extensive reading and study. Her early marriage to Claire Gillette Lane was marked by instability and ended in divorce, a turning point that pushed her toward a more focused literary career and personal autonomy. She gained recognition as a journalist and editor in San Francisco, where her talent for storytelling and observation quickly brought her professional attention and opportunities. Transitioning to freelance writing, she published short stories and articles in major American magazines, building a reputation for clear, engaging prose and strong narrative voice across different genres and audiences. Her novels, including Let the Hurricane Roar and Free Land, explored pioneer life and drew heavily on her family’s experiences, blending historical detail with fictional storytelling in a compelling and accessible manner. Lane also played a significant role in shaping and editing her mother’s Little House series, helping transform early drafts into widely successful books that reached generations of readers worldwide. Alongside her literary career, she developed a strong interest in political philosophy, becoming associated with the libertarian movement and emphasizing individual freedom, limited government, and personal responsibility as core principles. Her book The Discovery of Freedom articulated many of these ideas and became a key text in libertarian thought and discourse. Lane traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, often working with humanitarian organizations and observing social and political conditions firsthand in diverse cultural contexts. She maintained a wide network of intellectual and literary contacts, engaging with prominent writers, thinkers, and public figures of her time in ongoing dialogue and exchange of ideas. Known for her independence and strong convictions, she often chose a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle despite periods of financial success and public recognition. In her later years, she continued writing, lecturing, and mentoring younger thinkers, remaining an active and sometimes controversial voice in debates about freedom, society, and the role of the individual in modern life.

Reviews

[JKR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short ghost story is included in the book A Little House Sampler.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A predictable little scary tale, listened as a short audiobook, for Halloween.