- Paperback: 287 pages
- Publisher: HarperPerennial; 1st Perennial Library Ed edition (Sep 1987)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060914289
- ISBN-13: 978-0060914288
- Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 13.6 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 547,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Synopsis
The author relates the joys and frustrations of life on a poultry farm in the mountains of Washington.
From the Publisher
Written over 50 years ago Betty's books have not 'dated'.
Although I have read and re-read Betty MacDonald's four autobiographical books many times, I can honestly say that each one of them makes me laugh, every time, and often out loud.
Although I have read and re-read Betty MacDonald's four autobiographical books many times, I can honestly say that each one of them makes me laugh, every time, and often out loud.
She had the midas gift of turning dross into gold. She was not one of Fate's favourites. Some terrible things happened to her. But she had the guts never to cringe, but always bounce back.
She would never have claimed it; she probably never knew it; but she was a woman of indominatable spirit. Which is why I am proud to publish THE EGG AND I, THE PLAGUE AND I, ANYBODY CAN DO ANYTHING and ONIONS IN THE STEW. And she was funny. Always funny. But not always 'politically correct' of course.
We have had many complaints about this, in single figures and all concerned with Betty's portrayal of some 'Native Americans'.
She was writing in the late 1940s, and she wrote down the truth as she experienced it - you might say a kind of personal history. Does 'political correctness' demand that we alter personal history? Surely that is the 'correctness' of Stalin. We have got rid of that - haven't we? --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
ALONG with teaching us that lamb must be cooled with garlic and that a lady never scratches her head or spits, my mother taught my sisters and me that it is a wife's bounden duty to see that her husband is happy in his work. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
ALONG with teaching us that lamb must be cooled with garlic and that a lady never scratches her head or spits, my mother taught my sisters and me that it is a wife's bounden duty to see that her husband is happy in his work. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was a hilarious page turner and every chapter was a delight to read. Betty MacDonald's descriptive talents are superlative and had me feeling as if I were there with her, rather than just reading about her adventures. I particularly enjoyed the episode in which she tells of her difficulties in getting hold of books to read, and of how her neighbours were of the opinion that 'reading was a sign of laziness, boastfulness and general degradation'! This was a fascinating read of farm life in the early 1900s, and Betty would certainly give Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall pause for thought.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I laughed out loud in every chapter - what a life! I marvelled at Betty's resourcefulness and was amazed at her courage in the face of general adversity and particularly chickens. This book is a fascinating social snapshot of a time and location that seems totally foreign to the here-and-now.
She is completely frank about her own incompetence without it becoming a liability, her account is a hilarious romp through her own trials and tribulations - courage, fortitude and good humour - a great mix!
She is completely frank about her own incompetence without it becoming a liability, her account is a hilarious romp through her own trials and tribulations - courage, fortitude and good humour - a great mix!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Betty writes about her time leading up to and spent with her new husband on their newly acquired chicken ranch - in the middle of nowhere! She describes the situations and characters around her with a refreshing honesty that is delightful (wait until you read about her childhood, and the marvellous Gammy). She can be scathingly critical (and hilarious) with a complete lack of apology but is equally warm (and hilarious). Her neighbours the Kettles she enjoys because they are simply so bizarre!
Coming across as a truly likeable person, Betty describes her life with such clarity that you really feel that you are there when reading. Some reviewers complain about her description of Native American Indians - yes, she says they are dirty and she clearly saw a rather rough side to their lifestyles. I agree that these days her remarks are rather 'non-P.C.' but she is to be respected for her total honesty about her feelings. To summarise - if you want a good read, albeit slightly worrying (poor Betty - she had a difficult time) and a lot of laughs then this book is for you. Not her best book (try 'Onions in the Stew' which is excellent) but the one everyone knows.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A toss-up between this book and the Stephanie Plum books as to the...
The first time I read this book, I was about 17 years old (never mind how many years ago that was!) :) I was in the school library and was afraid I would get kicked out because I... Read more
Published 7 months ago by L. L Teuling
Just delightful
I remember reading this book years ago, whilst still at school. Fast forward 35 years, and I am now the proud owner of 3 chickens of my own, and I decided to re-read the book. Read more
Published 12 months ago by hypnobear
One of my favourite books
This book always makes me laugh & i've lost count of how many times i've read it - this copy is to replace on that has literally fallen to pieces it's been used so much! Read more
Published 15 months ago by SteveofDerby
Funny book
I first read this book years ago. It doesn't date and is still just as funny today.
Published 20 months ago by Kat
An autobiography that makes mundane farming fascinating.
I picked up this book thinking it was a novel, but not being too disturbed to find it was an autobiography (hey, I'm adaptable). Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2008 by marzipanthecat
The Egg and I
I thoroughly enjoyed The Egg and I and felt sad when I had to close the final page. There are so many humorous parts to this book and you will come away feeling like you can... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2003 by Sarah Lee
very funny book on unfunny topic
thankfully tb clinics no longer exist - but this book is still fascinating set before and during ww2 it is a very droll account of the author's stay in a tb clinic. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2002 by kirsten.barclay@scotent.co.uk
One of my all time favourite books
I love Betty Macdonald's style of writing. I love her colourful language and vivid descriptions. I feel like I know Ma and Pa Kettle as well as my own neighbours. Read more
Published on 18 May 2001 by caroline.greenwood@bishvesy.bham.sch.uk
One of the funniest books of all times
The Egg and I is one of the funniest books of all times. I can read this book and Betty MacDonald's other works over and over again. It's always so funny, witty and wise. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2000
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