This one kept me on the edge of my seat. It really impressed upon me how crazy you had to be to go “settle” the west. It’s amazing they made it through to the last chapter.

Also, Almanzo features in this one a lot and I’m EXCITED for the upcoming *love story*

This was my favorite of the “Little House” books so far. I found the story of survival during such a horrendous winter so fascinating. The Ingalls family complained so little that sometimes it was hard to tell just how difficult things actually were. But it also is refreshing to see a family going through such a terrible trial and doing the best they could to stay positive and not fall into despair.

2025 - This is one of those heart series, though as an adult I can see the issues of the telling – as a kid I was all in. What was interesting to me on this read (reading because a Podcast that I am listening to has gotten to this installment,) was that Almanzo had seed wheat that he wasn’t selling, but he and Cap go strong-arm a settler who has seed wheat to make him sell. Anyway.

2014 - The interesting flip side to the fact that the town grew up nearly overnight in the last book is the harsh winter with few provisions that the townspeople weather in this installment.
It was interesting to read how the hunger showed physically on Pa and the viewpoint of Royal and Manzo.

Surprisingly taut
tale of near starvation,
snow, and sacrifice.

Remarkable how Laura is able to write a captivating, moving novel essentially about being housebound for six months during a long, harsh winter of blizzards. Perhaps more remarkable, she is able to convey the drudgery, the monotony, the physical and emotional toll of those dark days without the book becoming a horror story or pity party. For example, moment they realize Pa can no longer play the fiddle because his fingers are too numb and tattered from the cold is utterly heartbreaking (the fiddle music has helped them through tough times before) but somehow the Ingalls family finds strength within the love of their family and by keeping their Faith and their story is truly inspiring. How vividly I remember, even from my childhood when my mom read this to me, how Laura had to twist hay into “logs” to burn day in and day out, while Ma and the other girls huddled around the meager warmth of the stove, someone turning the coffee grinder every moment to produce the wee bit of flour from the seed wheat so that they did not completely starve. The story is also a terrific springboard for some thoughtful conversation with young people about morals and how people act during harrowing times (I’m thinking here especially about the chapters involving the stored seed wheat). Five bright, shining stars for this one!

3.5 stars.

The most narrative of the Little House books--actually an amazing story of how the Ingalls family (and the rest of the town of De Smet) lived through the eight-month winter of 1880 with no supply trains. If reading about twisting sticks of hay for fuel and grinding wheat for bread doesn't make you want to be a pioneer, nothing will.

This has always been my favorite Little House book, I first read it when I was maybe 10 and ever since then I read it at least once a year. The only other House book I enjoyed as much was These Happy Golden Years. Those two have been reread till they are in tatters and ready to be replaced, I can never get over how cold it must have been…

“These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraphs and kerosene and coal stoves -- they're good to have but the trouble is, folks get to depend on 'em.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter




I love anything Little House.

เล่มนี้ลุ้นเหนื่อยที่สุดตั้งแต่อ่านมา
ฤดูหนาวที่ว่ายาวนานนี้ นานจริงๆ
และครอบครัวนี้ก็ทรหดจริงๆ
เราคิดว่าผ่านความพีคที่สุดมาแล้ว
หลังจากนี้คงนับวันดีขึ้น ดีขึ้น เนอะ ..
(แค่อ่านยังแทบแย่เลย พวกเขาผ่านมันมาด้วยชีวิตจริงๆ นี่สุดยอดมากเลยอ่ะ)

I listened to this on audiobook and the kids listened to part of it with me. I forgot the climax where Almanzo and Cap braved the storm and traveled to buy wheat. What heroes!
I didn’t grow up with these books but I have loved reading them as an adult. I love the writing about nature and hard work and finding contentment.

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I think this is my favourite Little House book. The survival aspect strongly appeals to me. I love the little details of life and the ending is lovely. There is some mild language (gosh, devil, etc). I enjoyed the closer glimpses of Almanzo and Cap!

*review to be updated*