Ask Susan Wittig Albert about A WILDER ROSE discussion

One of the things that interested me about the two writers who produced the Little House books was the fact that they went to such lengths to conceal their collaboration. In A WILDER ROSE, Rose gives her reasons for not wanting to claim credit for her extensive work on her mother’s books. What’s your view?

Susan wrote: "One of the things that interested me about the two writers who produced the Little House books was the fact that they went to such lengths to conceal their collaboration. In A WILDER ROSE, Rose giv..."

I am thinking it is Laura that didn't want it known (the collaboration) although Rose may have thought being connected to "children's books" was beneath her somehow. And as you show in A Wilder Rose, their relationship was complicated and often strained and stressful. I can relate to that! :)

Readerwoman Laura wrote: "I am thinking it is Laura that didn't want it known (the collaboration) although Rose may have thought being connected to "children's books" was beneath her somehow. "

I wish we knew more about Laura's feelings about the concealment, don't you? And of course, Rose didn't sign on for an eight-book series. In the beginning, it was just one book, and by the time she realized there would be at least three, and then more, she might have decided that it was too late. In that sense, concealing Rose's work might not have been a deliberate long-term choice, just something they slipped into and felt they couldn't alter. And after Laura's death, Rose couldn't very well put up her hand and say, "Well, people, here's what I did with those books..."

Susan wrote: "Readerwoman Laura wrote: "I am thinking it is Laura that didn't want it known (the collaboration) although Rose may have thought being connected to "children's books" was beneath her somehow. "

I ..."

Oh yeah, I think that could very well be the way it happened - life is like that anyway... a simple yes to something ends up being a life-long commitment!

Readerwoman Laura wrote: "Oh yeah, I think that could very well be the way it happened - life is like that anyway... a simple yes to something ends up being a life-long commitment! "

Don't we know it! :)

I have to say it was kind of a shock for me when I heard how much Rose did on the books. I knew she helped out some but now to the extent that she did. I am such a fan of Laura's and have always been very upset when I read anything that makes her seem like a not nice person. With that being said I enjoyed the way you approached the whole subject and did not bad mouth her but told Rose's side of the story.

Angela Lynn wrote: "I have to say it was kind of a shock for me when I heard how much Rose did on the books. I knew she helped out some but now to the extent that she did. I am such a fan of Laura's and have always be..."

When we consider the situation Laura and Rose found themselves in, I think we have to admire both of them. Life was so much harder than we can imagine, as we can see from Rose's diary. Rose did what she had to do to help her mother, and Laura had to learn to accept the help. I think their achievement is a triumph--and not an easy one, either, which makes it even more admirable.