Country Ragamuffins: Reflections on a Midwestern Farm Childhood

by Maxine Bergerson Werner

In Country Ragamuffins, Maxine Bergerson Werner invites readers on a journey back to the 1950s as she recalls her upbringing as the oldest girl among eight siblings in a Norwegian farming community in rural Minnesota. To convey and preserve the experiences, values, and character of a typical Midwestern farm family of the time ''before those memories grow dim and finally disappear,'' the author offers this chronicle laced with humor and appreciation. Werner's parents cultivated a lifestyle that combined hard work, learning, and time for childhood fun and play in the surrounding fields, pastures, and woodlands. Connectedness was the theme in their happy life. Every member of the family participated in the functioning of the farm; siblings were best friends; and laughter and debate were welcome at the dinner table. The daily routines, the chores, the holiday festivities, and the births of siblings are recorded in scrapbook fashion.

302 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2013

Reviews

[Barb Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a small moment in time for this community and people so insulated from the "real" world. Diversity was nonexistent. Intriguing to read about a tight knit group of singular heritage and beliefs. The author makes a statement how easy life was as everyone agreed on church, activities, food, and celebrations. One ethnicity, one religion, one way of life. Time capsule yet eye opening where many use the rules of beliefs for the answers their beliefs and lifestyle is the "right way". Sadly the parental and community focus around the sincere following of rules left the author without a love for God or knowing God's love. How often I hear how this occurs and the name of the organization isn't the true issue. Children inculcated with religion that God cares more about rules than your heart and soul is profoundly lost. Hoping the inclusion of favorite verses in the book shows the author found God who loves us all unconditionally! Enlightening epilogue. Researching the area during the read - it had an EF4 tornado go through in 2020.. among other events! My maternal side is Norwegian and some of the social/communication styles the author related described my mother exactly!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is memoir of family life on a farm in rural Minnesota in the 50s. If you're curious about that kind of life, this is a warm, intimate account, with a nostalgic bent, but not universally positive. The book makes it clear that life was not always easy, that there was a lot of hard work. And some of the things kids were allowed to do back then would turn a lot of parents green these days!

But for me, a lot of this reminded me of things my mother told me about her own childhood, and some of it was familiar to me from my own. For these reasons, I enjoyed this, although the writing is not necessarily the best. Still, it's an engaging read, especially if, as I said, you're curious about the life portrayed.

[Koren · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading several books about children who were horribly abused, this book was a breath of fresh air. The author writes about growing up on a farm in rural Minnesota during the 1950's and 60's. I also grew up on a farm in Minnesota in the 1960's and so many memories came flooding back, although I will say we had an indoor toilet and a TV. So many memories that I hadn't thought about for a long time. Loved this trip back in time. Loved seeing the recipe for Rommegrot, a dish my daughter-in-law makes every year at Christmas.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice book about growing up on a farm in the 50's and 60's