Saving Graces: The Inspirational Writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Stephen W. Hines (Editor)

The tales of Laura Ingalls Wilder formed the basis for The Little House on the Prairie television series which touched the hearts of millions. This collection of her inspirational writings reflects faith and wisdom distilled from a lifetime of experience.

Genres: Christian, Inspirational, Nonfiction, Historical

164 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 1971

About the author

Ingalls wrote a series of historical fiction books for children based on her childhood growing up in a pioneer family. She also wrote a regular newspaper column and kept a diary as an adult moving from South Dakota to Missouri, the latter of which has been published as a book.

Reviews

[Clara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

These essays are apparently from newspaper columns written by Wilder from 1916 to 1924. The amazing thing was how timeless the information is. The advice is appropriate for today as it was for 100 years ago. Her writings show an understanding of the Bible and psychology. Psychology did not become a social science for study until almost thirty years after Wilder wrote her columns but her common sense columns made good use of psychology.

[Ellie Anna Axtman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The depth & perspective of this book invigorated my mind. Laura Ingalls Wilder was a childhood icon, & my adoration only grew through these clippings of her personal writings. I found myself rereading many lines hoping to commit them to memory—her words are as pretty as they are profound. The unusual layout of this book was also refreshing. This book was a diary/autobiography/devotional hybrid. Loved it!

[Jasmine Shadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the words of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and these words are no exception. She had a deep faith and an understanding that is often not spoken of in the circles where you hear her name. This is a compilation of her inspirational writings that many have not heard of. It is a treasure. Read it to learn a true depth to this author that has been loved by many for ever so long.

[Debi Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy read that I enjoyed very much. Written like small devotionals, each chapter gives you something to think about.

[Laura W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a treasure! I always loved the Little House on the Prairie books growing up, and even read a few non-fiction books about Laura Ingalls Wilder back then. I guess I felt a kindred spirit in her then and this book makes me feel even more of a kinship with her. I loved the peek into her soul and her perspectives on basic values. This is the kind of book that fills you up with warmth, and engenders within you a desire to be a little better each day. Loved it!!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. It's hard to describe it because it's not a poetry book, even though there is poetry in it. It's not a novel, although there are some ficional pieces. It's more like someone's journal where they've put in things that catches their eye or stirs their heart at the time. Well worth getting if you can. I don't know if its available anymore - my copy was a gift.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was talking with a friend yesterday about how much change has happened in the last hundred or so years, especially in the areas of technology and commutation, but this book gives evidence that in the areas of human nature, community, and politics, not so much has changed after all. This is a simple, yet profound book, and in some areas, deeply thought-provoking.

[Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting compilation, though I would recommend the book that has all of Laura's Ruralist articles in it over this selection. I of course have it because I have to own anything that mentions Laura Ingalls Wilder.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to get Laura's take on life, especially with a perspective of an older woman. Much wisdom to glean from these little nuggets.

[Kathleen Sams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of these essays were written approximately 100 years ago and, interestingly, the themes are quite relevant today. Ms. Wilder writes, "In our own country there is a gathering into groups with mutterings and threats of violence [1919], with some bloodshed and danger of more, and there is still war and threat of war over most of the world. . . . A great deal is said and written about natural, national boundaries and learned discussions of racial antagonisms as causes of the restlessness and ill-temper of the nations."

Or consider this passage: "We are so overwhelmed with things these days that our lives are all more or less cluttered. I believe it is this, rather than a shortness of time, that gives us that feeling or hurry and almost of helplessness. Everyone is hurrying and usually just a little late. Notice the faces of the people who rush past on the streets . . . They nearly all have a strained, harassed look, and anyone you meet will tell you there is no time for anything anymore."

The book also includes an essay called "Our Stewardship of the Earth," in which Ms. Wilder talks of the criminality of destroying land. "We have only the use of it while we live and must pass it on to those who come after us."

I read Ms. Wilder's "Little House" books when I was growing up. I loved "Farmer Boy," with its descriptions of food, but I thought the books presented an unrealistically happy version of life on the prairie. Didn't Laura and Mary get tired of playing with pumpkins in the attic in "Little House in the Big Woods" when they had to stay inside all winter? Who helped Ma when she had a baby?Prairie life must have been incredibly difficult, and the world that Laura Ingalls Wilder (and daughter Rose) described seemed too whitewashed for me. I have the same criticism of the essays in "Saving Graces." Although there is a great deal of wisdom in the pages, I respond better to the work of a writer like Anne Lamott, who doesn't shy away from discussing life's ugliness and pain. Ms. Wilder writes that we need the dark to appreciate the light, but doesn't demonstrate this in her own life. Writers are supposed to show, not tell. Each essay contains a Bible passage, which in some cases seems clumsily plunked into the body of the essay. The Bible verses might have been more helpful at the beginning or end of the essays - not within them. Other reviewers referred to the essays as devotionals, which may be the more appropriate way to read this book.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I really like the Little House series and thought I would venture into biographies of Laura to see how 'true' the series were... or also just to get to know her a little better. This book is small devotionals (which I really appreciated) which if you don't have time to read a lot then just pick the book up and read one and a half to three pages at a time and you get the full effect of what Laura is telling you. In each 'chapter' it includes a favorite Bible verse that goes along with what Laura is explaining. Almost like sitting in a Sunday school room with her, or better yet sitting in her living room and just being her best friend. These devotionals cover everything from treating your neighbor correctly to a few chapters on the government (which to me in my early 40's was interesting because it was right after WWI she speaks of.)She speaks some of Almonzo which she refers to as 'man of the house' and things that sometimes affect him as well. Just over all I loved this book... a great inspirational book, devotion book, or just a really good book to realize how Laura Ingallas Wilder really was

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the included writings have been in other books of Laura's compiled writings. The author of this particular book did a better job of organizing the writings than some of the other compilations I've come across.

[Deborah Camuglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. She had a lot of good thoughts to ponder. The reason for the four stars is because some of the days the verses didn’t fit very well with her discourse. Other days they did.

[Daminika · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure Laura Ingalls Wilder was to this world. And how blessed we are to be able to read her wisdom even after she has Gone on Before ❤️

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected find at a thrift store, and I greatly enjoyed these short writings that gently prodded me on to continually turn to the Lord and honor Him in my words, thoughts, and actions.

[Cindy Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading short newspaper columns written by Laura Ingalls wilder. Not exactly devotionals, but they nearly all contained Bible verse quotes and reminders to focus on the important things in life