The Egg and I
This was first published in 1945. It is a humorous memoir by American author Betty MacDonald about her adventures and travels as a young wife on a chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. The book is based on the author’s experiences as a newlywed in trying to acclimate and operate a small chicken farm with her first husband Robert Heskett from 1927 to 1931 near Chimacum, Washington. On visits with her family in Seattle, she told stories of their tribulations, which greatly amused them. In the 1940s, MacDonald’s sisters strongly encouraged her to write a book about these experiences. The Egg and I was MacDonald’s first attempt at writing a book. She also wrote Miss Piggle Wiggle. A favorite children’s book around here. When I heard Ann M. Martin, a favorite author of mine, was taking over Miss Piggle Wiggle I wondered about the original author, and was advised to read ‘The Egg and I’. I have laughed right out loud reading this book. One note however, this was written I presume in the 1940s since the copyright date is 1945, and the language and ideas are of that era. This does not bother me, unfortunately we are living in such a PC world I’m afraid the book would be taken in a bad light. Take it out, enjoy reading about a time that is long gone, and have a few laughs.
I have put the new Miss Piggle Wiggle on the library hold list and can’t wait to see it. We are hoping to enjoy it as much as her other books in this series.
History is always fun for me, and I love reading one book, that leads to another, that leads to understanding why a book was written and/or the person who wrote the book.
Book On.
Peace.
