Letters of a Woman Homesteader

Amazing look at the olden days.

I found this little book to be one of the most interesting and well written diary/letters books I've ever read - and I have read MANY! Thankfully, the editors resisted the urge to "correct" spelling errors and grammatical mistakes, thus giving the reader a better understanding of the writer. I found myself drawn into the story immediately and couldn't wait to get to the next chapter/letter. Elinore Stewart was indeed a "writer" of the highest degree. Her ability to draw the reader into the story is unrivaled and her descriptions of the West - the sunsets, the mountains, fields of grain, the homesteads - everything she writes about seems to come alive. I found myself becoming extremely disappointed as I neared the end of the book, for I was left wanting MORE. Nothing less than a full NOVEL would have left me satisfied and even then, I'm sure I would have still wanted more. The reading is so enjoyable and flows beautifully so that even a young person doing research for a school project would enjoy this little book as reference material. I was sad to see my small book come to an end and would have loved to read more and more of the letters written to her old employer/friend. I heartily recommend this book to anyone seeking knowledge of women homesteaders in the American West, or to anyone simply wanting an enjoyable read where you are drawn into the life of the writer and her family before you even realize it.

What a delightful and uplifting book. I have always been under the impression that life was so dreary for these folks who were homesteaders. But instead, I have been able to see from one perspective how joyous the experience could be. What a wonderful life Elinore made for herself and everyone else. She obviously knew how to make something out of nothing. A young widow who worked as a laundress and then a housekeeper just so she could experience homesteading. Wonderful! Just the sort of spirit needed to be successful. The cast of characters that surrounded her stories are amazing. What a lovely picture of how people helped out each other. It's almost unheard of in todays "get out of my way" society. This is a book I shall keep and reread often. I am so glad that it came my way.

Elinore Pruitt Stewart was my grandmother, my father's mother. She died before I was born; I deeply regret never getting to know her, as she was a remarkable woman. Readers who enjoyed the book might also enjoy the film made from it- "Heartland", directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Conchata Ferrill as Elinore and Rip Torn as Clyde. It is available on video. The script was originally conceived by the Wilderness Women's Project at the University of Montana. My father and mother got to play bit roles as wedding guests. Elinore also wrote "Letters On An Elk Hunt", as well as many short pieces for periodicals of the day.

Too bad the cover classifies this as dutiful-sounding "women's studies," as it is first-class enjoyable reading for we menfolk, as well. It is an unvarnished account of the pioneer experience without the intrusion of Hollywood veneer or New York editing, and is all the better for it. Anyone with roots in the Midwest or West is going to relate 100% to this saga.