I was reading an article in this Saturday’s Globe on the canning/preserving craze that’s sweeping the nation, and it re-ignited a simmering desire I’ve had to read a good pioneer-living novel. Because while the 18 uses of one hog or the healing properties of the cranberry make some people run for the hills, I find it completely fascinating. I have enough trouble surviving the Long Winter with central heating and the grocery store two minutes away.
I think my fascination started when I was hooked on Little
In my younger days
House on the Prairie (the books and the television series) as a kid. (Incidentally, my celeb lookalike? Totally Melissa Gilbert.) Now that I’m older, I’ve got a penchant for hist-fic that’s heavy on the how-to-survive-the-winter details. I’ve read all of Diana Gabaldon’s Jamie and Claire books, which I enjoy both for the bodice ripping and the old-timey medicines and food preparation.
In any case, I’ve been craving a little pioneer savvy lately, and want some recommendations. Should I be Roughing it in the Bush with Ms. Moodie? (I confess, by avoiding CanLit classes in university, I missed out on this classic canon fodder). So rather than recommending, I’m looking for help: Leave your recos here, I could use some of these literary preserves to get me through the Long Winter.
