“A work of real comic genius. . . . A wonderful, funny, warm, honest book, and, to use a much overused word, a classic.” –Michael Korda, author of Country MattersWhen Betty MacDonald married a marine and moved to a small chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, she was largely unprepared for the rigors of life in the wild. With no running water, no electricity, a house in need … With no running water, no electricity, a house in need of constant repair, and days that ran from four in the morning to nine at night, the MacDonalds had barely a moment to put their feet up and relax. And then came the children. Yet through every trial and pitfall—through chaos and catastrophe—this indomitable family somehow, mercifully, never lost its sense of humor.
A beloved literary treasure for more than half a century, Betty MacDonald’s The Egg and I is a heartwarming and uproarious account of adventure and survival on an American frontier.
more
Betty MacDonald’s semi-autobiographical The Egg and I was first published in 1945. It has since been one of America’s favorites. The story takes place in the late 1920s.
The Egg and I goes into a few years of the author’s early life, but soon concentrates on life on a chicken ranch near the town of Chimacum on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Betty and her husband, Bob Heskett, bought a run-down farm and with enormous work, converted it into a chicken ranch. Life wasn’t easy. They had no electricity or running water and had to always be on the look-out for dangerous wildlife.
Good neighbors were essential and the Hesketts had much give and take with theirs. Among their neighbors were Ma and Pa Kettle, whose story later took on a life of its own in a film series.
The book has been criticized as being politically incorrect, but considering when it was written, I accepted the fact that the author simply stated her feelings and observations of the local Native people. Many of America’s early writers expressed opinions that are now considered culturally insensitive.
The Egg and I dispels myths about the glories of living off the land. Farming is hard work, with long hours and no time off for sickness, vacations, etc. Still, despite the labor-intensive ranch work and inconveniences, MacDonald writes with humor and honesty.
The Egg and I richly deserves the favorable attention bestowed on it for generations. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining story.
One has to remember when reading this that it is based on the author’s life.
Definitely dated, but I’m not sure that is a bad thing. You get an interesting peak into a marriage and the expectations of women in the time period. There are some very racist ideas about the indigenous people in the area (towards the end of the book), but, again, isn’t this simply a realistic snapshot of the time. The neighbors are amusing yet tragic characters.
I’ve heard the title so many times and was expecting much more than it delivered. And I was offended by the bigotry regarding Native Americans. Wish I hadn’t wasted the time and money.
Loved this story!
One of my favorite books! Great feel good and chuckle out loud book. A fabulous writer who sees the humor in life.
I first read this book as a tween, during a LONG summer (my Mom was on a NO TV rant). It will take you back in time to a place and a way of life that folks today will have problems believing was only 70 years ago.
Glad there was an introduction mentioning the author’s description of her Indian neighbors being an uncomplimentary stereotype that might not be very acceptable today. Other than that the book was very entertaining.
Was dated regarding native Americans
If you grew up reading the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, this is a fascinating autobiography by the author. Betty’s husband hauled her off to the Pacific Northwest to become a chicken farmer. Their trials and tribulations are an insightful slice of the American frontier spirit and it gives you so much more understanding as to the mind who could create Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.
You might also recognize the characters of Ma and Pa Kettle, who were immortalized from this book (actual neighbors of Betty!) onto film.
While entertaining, has some very dated concepts of marriage.
It’s too old fashioned. I can’t believe how she writes about (Indians). Yikes! And how her husband treated her. Glad I am not in that time.
I love, love, love this book! I went back and bought the audio version so I can enjoy it in another voice and my husband can listen too. I reserve five-star ratings for dazzling writing, and would add another star for this one if I could.
I have read this book many times, and find that it is showing its age. I loved it many years ago and enjoyed the tie to the old movie version. I found the depictions of Native Americans made me uncomfortable today and detracted from my enjoyment. Still interesting, and still think it’s worth your read.
The beginning of this book was a little slow but it grew on me and I found I enjoyed it. Much humor in the reality of character’s life.
I liked the movie better
One of my favorite books when I was young. And it was written about a part of the country I know well but in a much simpler time.
Enjoyed this book easy to read and funnyat timex
Written before our politically correct era, and that’s probably what made it so hysterically funny. I grew up on a farm in a siimilar setting and could relate.
she was very insightful in discribing the characters. learned alot about our washington state and the history
A delightful read