Finding Josie

by Wendy Bilen

With a focus squarely on the Midwest, Wendy Bilen pieces together the history of her grandmother, Josie Broadhead, born in 1911 and raised on the North Dakota prairie. Josie married a Wisconsin farmer and moved to a large dairy farm outside La Crosse; along the way she began taking in people in need of a ". . . beggars and drunks and children of drunks, mentally ill children and children with mentally ill parents. Brothers and cousins and sisters and in-laws and strangers." By taking on these challenges that no one else wanted, Josie left an almost mythical legacy. Years after Josie's death, Bilen embarks on a journey to unearth Josie's story and quickly realizes that the search is about her, too. As she discovers her grandmother's complicated nature ("a woman proud and humble, loving and unaffectionate, strict and visionary, joyful and troubled, a woman held together by contradictions like an arch and its capstone"), she learns much about herself and her own choices. And as she breathes life into Josie and her family, friends, and neighbors, the author evokes a powerful sense of place of small towns and farms, of prairie, of Josie's home, all of which feel both fresh and satisfyingly familiar. Much more than mere memoir or family history, this dual story about Bilen's journey illuminates the surprising ways our lives intersect with our ancestors'. An extraordinary story about a seemingly ordinary woman, Finding Josie will inspire readers to explore their own family history in their own way.

Genres: Biography, Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2008

Reviews

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most family histories are, frankly, not that interesting. But the author focused on her grandmother, Josie Broadhead.
Her family were farmers--some successful, some not. They farmed in Vernon County, Wisconsin, and less successfully in North Dakota. Many of the men were alcoholics. The women lost babies to disease and accident. Families took in relatives and strangers.
Bilen integrates public records, newspaper accounts, history books, and interviews with relatives. Some photos are included. If she doesn't know what happened, she imagines what may have happened.
Excellent book of the lives of farm women.

[Ziggy Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow wow wow. Dr Wendy wrote a beautiful book that highlights her grandmother’s journey and how family influences and inspires us on our own journey. I wish Dr Wendy could see the answers tk some of her questions. I hope she knows that she left a beautiful legacy and impact on those she taught and encountered. The details about the various towns and challenges give life to these stories of the families who lived during the early times of this country.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather disappointing - I was hoping for a storyline, finding yourself, learning about your family history - instead it's a slogging journey through genealogy.

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINDING JOSIE BY WENDY BILEN takes the reader (and Wendy Bilen) back to the life of her grandmother Josie Broadhead. Most of us have had or still have grandmothers like Josie. From the first page I not only got to know about Josie, but it brought back all the memories of my grandmother who like Josie was born and raised on a farm. Josie, her life, her love & her passion of writing and taking in the strays of the world that just happened to stop at her house to ask for a handout or a bed.

Its not very often that I find a biography that can hold my interest page after page. Wendy Bilen did just that with FINDING JOSIE. The author ( and Josie's granddaughter) did a fantastic job of bringing Josie back to life in this book. I kept wanting to know more about Josie & her family. About how Josie herself found a passion in writing even though it was not perfect enough for publication, just perfect for Josie though. FINDING JOSIE BY WENDY BILEN is that rare biography that does not bloviate the subject nor make them larger than life. FINDING JOSIE is about a real woman who, not famous, was the perfect subject for a biography, a normal woman. Who better than a real, average, American woman to be a person who's life story must be shared by all.

I recieved this book free in exchange for an honest review.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josie's story appeals most to those of us who have Midwestern roots. Her story, in its time and place, in many ways parallels that of my own family in the first half of the last century. Josie's story appealed directly to me because it gave me an opportunity to compare, contrast and reminisce about my own family and their farming life.

Had Josie's story been told in chronological order, the need to backtrack to keep the characters connected to the right family would have not been necessary. The most compelling section of this book comes in the second half when Josie's giving and forgiving nature is put to the test. You might come to the same conclusion as me in thinking a better title for this book would be "Saint Josie".

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

nding Josie (Wendy Bilen)

"With a focus squarely on the Midwest, Wendy Bilen pieces together the history of her grandmother, Josie Broadhead, born in 1911 and raised on the North Dakota prairie. Josie married a Wisconsin farmer and moved to a large dairy farm outside La Crosse; along the way she began taking in people in need of a home: " (publisher's note)
I enjoy a touching memoir and this time period is of particular interest to me.

Watching Josie's life unfold in a reflective, compassionate manner, I had the feeling that granddaughter, Wendy was experiencing a revelation and personal insight.
Thought provoking.....and I would imagine of special interest to someone with Midwestern roots.

LibraryThing member giveaway

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Bilen examines her family's history through the life of her grandmother, Josie Broadhead. Josie's story, the story of a farmer's daughter and a farmer's wife, takes us from the prairies of North Dakota to the coulees of La Crosse, WI. While we often have a romanticized view of the "good old days", with bucolic farms and simpler lives, this book reminds us of what so many of our ancestors had to cope with--ceaseless hard work, poverty, and other hardships while relying on family, love, and faith. Very personal and often emotional, this book is a tribute to a woman of great strength and character.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biographies about the everyday man are among my favorite genres. I received a free copy of this book from First Reads. The story of Josie Broadhead, and her childhood in North Dakota and adulthood in NW Wisconsin is well researched and strikes a cord with me, having known many women like her in my childhood. As the wife of a dairy and tobacco farmer, she always had many mouths to feed, but her home and heart always had room for a few more. The author's self reflections on the purpose and meaning for her own life, felt a bit self indulgent. I would have preferred the focus to have remained on the author's grandmother, not on the parallels and impact on the author's life.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the current book I've read for our library book club. I found it somewhat interesting; however it was difficult to follow all the charaters. This is a book about the author's grandmother, and what this author has found out about her life. It would be easier to follow if we would have had a tree outlining all these people. I did find the setting interesting: just outside LaCrosse. I knew the places she was talking about. It will be intersting to hear what the other people in the club thought of this book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was an interesting look at the authors Grandmother Josie. The authors search for what made her grandmother tick takes you from the woods of South West WI, South East MN, and Western ND. This look into a pioneer woman's life was horrifying, heart felt and interesting all at the same time. While the author can appear whiny and at times drew correlations between her life and the very difficult life of her grandmother that seemed a bit out of touch, the book was still an interesting look into women in the upper plains and great lakes regions.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it about a woman searching for information on her grandmother who lived in Western Wisconsin mostly her life. It paralleled many things in my life and is well written. There was a little too much about faith and God for my liking towards the end, and a bit of romanticizing and projecting, but Bilen was able to give a wonderful voice to the character of Josie and it is a wonderful tribute to a person who never had the chance to tell her own inspiring, yet everyday life story.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great weave of history, discovery, challenges, sacrifices, and the author's life. At times a bit difficult to follow the cast of characters as we readers were led back, forward, back, etc. Many wonderful examples of "showing" (vs "telling"). Enjoyed all kinds of playful and revealing sentences, like this one: "Her flaws are more forgivable because her strengths stand so straight."

[Ellenh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story interesting and related to the search, the stories of the people and the area. I am curious to figure out who the local people are.

[Carol E.]

I abandoned this one. I didn't find it interesting enough to continue... sorry, book.