My Life as Laura: How I Searched for Laura Ingalls Wilder and Found Myself

by Kelly Kathleen Ferguson

Kelly Kathleen Ferguson needed to know-was connecting with her lifelong heroine the key to knowing herself? She decided to find out. Kelly donned a prairie dress and retraced the pioneer journey of Laura Ingalls Wilder. From Wisconsin to Minnesota, South Dakota to Missouri, she explored Laura's past and her own. Part travelogue, part memoir and part social commentary, My Life as Laura shows how a relationship with a pioneer girl who lived in little houses long ago can give a sense of purpose for today. Judy Blunt, author of the national best seller Breaking Clean, says My Life as Laura is "Hilarious, perceptive and true, a homespun story as genuine as the ones that inspired it." -

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Travel, History, Biography Memoir

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Kelly Kathleen Ferguson's work has appeared in mental_floss magazine, Poets & Writers, the Gettysburg Review, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and Brevity, among other publications. She has an MFA from the University of Montana, and working on a PhD in creative nonfiction at Ohio University. Kelly is a Libra, Cancer rising, Aquarian moon. She is Irish/French/German, lapsed Roman Catholic, and right-brained. Kelly once received a minority scholarship for a machinist certification program at Durham Technical Community College. When she was four, she ate a mothball and had to have her stomach pumped, or she would have died.

Reviews

[Carin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I love Laura Ingalls Wilder and I read it just as I was leaving to go on a trip during which I'd go to two Laura houses - her and Almanzo's home in Mansfield, MO where she wrote all the books, and THE Little House on the Prairie (reproduction) near Independence, KS. But while it was sweet and hopeful and the height of Laura-fandom, in the end it was a little disappointing. It just wasn't special enough.

Kelly went to a good college and graduate school, but ended up waiting tables for years in her college town without any prospects, either career-wise or relationship-wise. And so she decides to move to Montana. And she decides to trace the path of Laura Ingalls Wilder in her immortal books, The Little House Series. And she decides to do this while wearing a "prairie dress" which she buys at the last minute so it's short-sleeved, with a hot-pink hem and doesn't quite fit. While traveling she gets over her fear of going out in public in a prairie dress and becomes a little more comfortable talking to strangers. But there are no big revelations. Her relationship with "her Almanzo" fizzles out. I don't really learn anything about Laura that I didn't already know. My enthusiasm for Laura is in no way dampened (as Kelly's isn't either), but overall, the book was just rather... bland. It was easy to read and I think I would like Kelly, but the book didn't stick with me and I think any book about a solo road trip is inevitably going to be a tough one to make sing. When there is no one to talk to, to act as a foil, an ally, a confidant, you lose a lot. Ms. Ferguson had her work cut out with the book she set out to write.

That said, I did love her enthusiasm, her perseverance, and her optimism. All traits we both love in Laura Ingalls.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a short, delightful read; but I felt that it fell flat in the end. I didn't get what it was the author felt she learned from her travels, nor what is was that I was supposed to take from her telling of them.

[Debbie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American pioneer spirit is alive and well in the form of Kelly K Ferguson. I thought I was a big fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, probably America’s most famous pioneer, until my first encounter with Kelly. Boy, does her enthusiasm put mine in the shade!

I first came across Kelly when she responded to a blog post I’d written about naming my daughter after Laura Ingalls Wilder. Clicking on the link to find out more about this commenter, I discovered her book, “My Life as Laura” and I was immediately intrigued. I couldn’t wait to read it and was relieved to find that it was available in the UK as a Kindle download, even if not (yet) as a printed book.

Unhappy with the way her life was shaping up (more than a decade as a waitress is not the graduate’s dream career ), Kelly self-prescribed as a cure a road trip retracing Laura Ingalls Wilder’s footsteps. Although she had the advantage of a car over a covered wagon, she was determined to bond more closely with Laura by – get this – wearing her “Laura dress”: a nineteenth-century style, flouncy, floral frock. This much attention to detail takes a special kind of courage.

Indeed, every aspect of her adventure took guts, as did the candour with which she recounts her journey. From page one, I was rooting for Kelly and enjoying her company immensely. Astute, perceptive, witty, sensitive, poignant, life-affirming, nostalgic (for her own childhood, as well as Laura’s) – her narrative is all of these things.

To this English reader, the scale of her journey was unimaginably vast, bowling along for days across endless, monotonous prairies, alone but for the theoretical presence of Laura, via the yellow boxed set of her books that Kelly has treasured since childhood.

As well as being honest and open about herself, Kelly is an entertaining and spirited observer of others. Her wry descriptions of gift-shop assistants at Laura-themed tourist attractions had me laughing out loud. I sincerely hope these passages haven’t deterred the shops’ managers from stocking Kelly’s book on their shelves of Laura-related merchandise - I’m sure it would be a best-seller.

I also relished Kelly’s encounter, in her Laura dress, with a group of Amish tourists in similar garb. (I’ve been a bit obsessed with the Amish too, ever since visiting their part of Pennsylvania, at the age of 8, when I came away with a fetching green bonnet all of my own. But that’s another story – or perhaps there’s the germ of a sequel in there for you, Kelly?)

This, Kelly’s first book, is clearly the one she was born to write. Her easy, flowing prose is highly engaging and I’d love to read more of her work. Is it too much to hope that one day there may be a yellow boxed set with her own name on the spine? Let’s hope so, for the sake of (would-be) Lauras everywhere.

PS My blog post about why I named my daughter Laura is at: http://www.youngbyname.me/2012/06/17/...

[Teri Pre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm almost afraid to write a review because I'm fairly certain that the author stalks her GR page and reads every single review, feeling blows to her psyche every time someone posts a negative, or perceived negative, comment.

So, how was the book? Uncomfortable. I loved Wendy McClure's The Wilder Life. It was fun! I would have loved to travel with her as she followed Laura's path. If I would have traveled with Kelly instead? I would have ditched her at the first stop and made my way alone. Whine, whine whine. Poor me, poor me. I don't understand myself, I want a happy ending, I want Laura's life. I just wanted to shake her and say GROW UP!!! YOU'RE 40! GET OVER YOURSELF!!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book- it kept me up most of two nights because I couldn't put it down. I learned quite a bit about LIW that I didn't know before, but I especially enjoyed reading a book about LIW that was written by someone I could identify with, right down to our mutual desire to punch a certain singer in the face.

[Mirta Trupp · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Every job is good if you do your best and work hard…”- L.I.W.

I knew I would have to read this book when I saw the cover of a grown woman dressed in a pioneer costume. I swallowed The Books whole as a child and, of course, grew up watching the Little House series. It wasn’t until I began reading Kelly’s memoir that I remembered; I too had been disenchanted with the T.V. show as a preteen. The Books simply weren’t made for television censors or commercial sponsors who saw big bucks in a sugary sweet version. I don’t remember what converted me from the book snob to a Little House fan…maybe it was Michael Landon (I’d had a crush on him since his Little Joe days).

Kelly’s memoir was poignant, funny, and educational. I appreciated her honest commentary on the historical aspect, as well as the candid narrative with regards to her soul searching. We, none of us, have survived our “coming-of-age” years unscathed or without some sort of angst. I “got” how she used The Books and Laura’s life philosophy to find herself. Who hasn’t relied on a good friend, a teacher, or yes, even a fictional character (Elizabeth Bennet anyone?) to set an example- to act as a compass? Kelley connected with Laura Ingalls and was inspired by her courage and optimism. She revered Half Pint’s relationship with Pa, as well as admired Laura’s long-term, committed marriage to Manly. I got that! I liked that! I did get a bit confused at some points with regards to the author’s employment/career and would have LOVED an epilogue, but as Laura said, “I guess it couldn’t be helped.” A great read- fun and enlightening.

[Teresa Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Life as Laura: How I Searched for Laura Ingalls Wilder and Found Myself by Kelly Kathleen Ferguson documents Ferguson’s trip to the home sites of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the popular Little House on the Prairie book series. A quick read, it’s funny, moving, and thought-provoking by turns.
Stuck in a rut, tired of waiting for a “real” job and a “real” romance, Ferguson wondered if she could find some wisdom—and spunk—from her childhood heroine. Literally following in Wilder’s footsteps seemed to be a way to find out. Ferguson weaves the story of her life with the tale of her trip, finding many parallels between her own life and Wilder’s along the way.
Laura fans should be aware that this is not a book “about Laura.” It is, rather, the memoir of a modern woman who found a way to use something that spoke to her heart throughout her life - Laura and her stories - to find courage and optimism in her life. Also, Ferguson makes clear from the beginning that her trip follows the moves of the fictionalized Ingalls family from the Little House books, not the real Ingallses. Still, fans will find plenty of Laura within the pages of this book.
Ferguson’s sharp writing and openness about her life makes a compelling read. I recommend it.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose one has to be familiar with the Little House books to fully appreciate this author's offering, but what a great read if you are. Hilariously self deprecating, insightful and honest, her travelogue had me smiling frequently as she analyzed her childhood, shortcomings and love for most things Laura.

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this witty and candid memoir, author Kelly Kathleen Ferguson shares her journey to follow Laura Ingalls Wilder's travels and how she discovers herself. My Life As Laura: How I Searched for Laura Ingalls Wilder and Found Myself is at times funny, at times heartrending, and always a reminder that every Laurafan has a story to tell.

This is the second memoir of a woman following the travels of America's favorite pioneer girl that I've read this year. Both have their strengths: they're funny, well-written, and engaging.

What I feel makes My Life As Laura different is that Ferguson was not just trying to reconnect with a role model from her past. She made a decision to leave her previous life behind, get in her car, and drive across the country to start over in Montana, where her pioneering spirit came alive and encouraged her to drive west from the "Big Woods of Pepin, Wisconsin, to the Great Plains of De Smet, South Dakota," retracing the path where Laura comes of age.

The opening scene is probably one of the funniest in the book. Having decided to make her journey through Lauradom in period clothing, Ferguson ends up at the local Goodwill trying on prairie dresses. That dress gets a lot of mileage throughout the book, and her story of finding it, getting into it, and the mishaps with it along the journey are hilarious.

In what I feel is a brave move by Ferguson, she doesn't leave you with all her ducks suddenly in a row. This is no romantic tale, but like Wilder's classic books the author's story displays the optimism that comes from reconciling the past and holding onto hope for the future. I'm glad I have a copy of My Life As Laura in my Laura Ingalls Wilder library.

[RebL · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I read this one again over the weekend, six years after the first reading. It's still enjoyable - KKF is no slouch with a typewriter; her prose just flows like waterfalls, and since she's only like 5 months older than me all her 90s cultural references hit just right. But on second read, it's interesting to note how many times she refers to herself as "Laura" while on her quest, which is a little odd, but not wholly unexpected. And I enjoyed the coda chapter more this time around. It's like, what happens when Laura and Kelly stop being nice...and start being REAL.
I hope that KKF got to read the excellent annotated edition of "Pioneer Girl" when it was released a couple of years. That would for sure fill in some of the blanks in her research she was wondering about.
Three and a half stars.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Laura geek who took her own pilgrimage to all the Laura Ingalls Wilder sites on solo vacations, I was excited to read this book. The parts about discovering what each Little House site/museum has to offer are fun to read and compare to my own trip. The parts where she whines about her life are a big turnoff.

[Susieqkw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book! I would never of picked this one up on my own, but a wonderful MUA'er suggested it for a quick read and loaned it to me. I thoroughly enjoyed Kelly's adventure and wanted to don my own "Laura dress", lol.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting from both a "traveling to the Laura places" perspective and from a thinking about the bigger issues in life perspective. Definitely worth a read for Laura Fans.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book, and for so many different reasons. I recently described this as being about a woman who retraces Laura Ingalls' journey through the Midwest in an attempt to find herself, and it is surely that—as odd a premise as that might be. But it's so much more.

It's a tether to a childhood that many women of a certain age share. When the author mentions blackberry buttons or milkfed pumpkins, I was right there again, remembering reading about those things for the first time. To this day, when I see large pumpkins, I wonder if they've been milkfed. And those memories brought back so many more. Playing ball with the pig bladder, the "wash on Monday" rhyme, Pa hammering out the nails he'd bent, Ma coloring the butter with carrots, encountering the word "picturesque" for the first time, the time Laura got to wear pink hair ribbons cause Ma was distracted, Pa building the fish trap, the popcorn and apple juice, the blackening brush hitting the wallpaper. And the China doll. We can't forget about the pink shepherdess China doll that NO ONE BUT MA touches. I can't tell you that much about books I read last month, but Kelly Ferguson's words brought back waves and waves of childhood memories.

Then there's the author's attempts to find herself, and the little nuggets of wisdom she sneaks into her writing. "Anger is a great way to pas the time," she writes at one point. "The best way to do something is to do it," she reminds readers. She shares much of her childhood struggles, which naturally led to even worse adult struggles, and I found I had much in common with the writer, both as a child and as an adult. But I learned years ago about the "magic" of travelling alone. Visiting some of the LIW sites has been on my bucket list for years, but I'm inclined to perhaps expand my horizons—including visiting the Almanzo Wilder home in NY, which the author did not do.

I get that not everyone was a Laura fan as a kid. Maybe you were team Anne with an E instead. Or maybe Pippi was your girl. (I admit to wanting all three as bosom friends.) And then there are people who've never heard of Laura Ingalls, or who only ever watched the TV show. As the author plainly states, those people don't count. But if you ever were a prairie girl at heart, then this book is an ABSOLUTE MUST.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed My Life as Laura. I’m not a huge memoir reader, because I often find memoirs (especially of the “how I found myself” variety) whiney and self-absorbed. Kelly Ferguson has managed to take a book that could have fallen into this trap and made it funny and self-deprecating, nostalgic, and even lovely.

Still, it was sad. I read the book because I also grew up reading the Little House books; also, I have considered going on a “reenactment road trip” of sorts (unrelated to Laura Ingalls Wilder). What I learned from Ferguson’s book is that such a trip can be kinda depressing, even just from an environmental standpoint. The rolling prairies and sparkling lakes of Wilder’s books are mostly gone, converted to tract homes and cesspools.

I applaud Ferguson’s honesty about herself--about her (very personal) thoughts and life events. After reading her book, I feel like I know her--warts and all--at least at the point in life during which she conceived of and wrote the book. It is such a gift to peek into another person’s psyche, to see the world from another person’s perspective. But this was also sad. Despite the written humor, Ferguson’s loneliness at this time in her life leaked onto the page. I found myself wanting to bring her a casserole.

I was hoping more research, particularly about Wilder, would be incorporated into the narrative, but I realize now that this wasn’t that kind of book. (Note: buffalo never went extinct in North America! The American bison is alive and well, though in smaller numbers! Have Ferguson’s editors never been to Yellowstone?) Still, sometimes I could have used a few reminders as to the nature of the various characters and situations from the Little House books when Ferguson refers to them.

I finished the book wanting to go read Wilder’s books again, which was maybe one of her purposes all along....

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just About Perfect!!!

I finished this book after reading Prairie Fires by Caroline Frasier which tells the lives of Laura and her daughter, Rose, in real life and the extent of their collaboration on The Little House series. The latter was well researched and written but was quite a bit of tragic and depressive reality about their lives. By contrast Ferguson's book is a breath of fresh prairie breeze that calmed the raw nerves and disillusionment from the other. I was going to give it five stars up until the abrupt ending which landed with a large crash. Too bad. Up until then, the book was an absolute delight, just about perfect with a wonderful blend of travelogue, nostalgia, history, personal story with growth , humor, wit, sharp observation, literary, inspiring and sublime. I too read and re-read the Laura books as a child and was marked by them. I can see doing some of the same pilgrimage to the Wilder/Ingalls historic homes sites and the dress with flounce and bonnet would be fun too. Kudos to the author and I hope book two of her life has more happy stories for her personally. She deserves it and it's about time. I met My Manley, a Brit, on the island of Cyprus at age 55 after a lifetime of looking, so there is still hope for her! 😍

[Doc Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled onto this book somewhere in one of my online readers groups, I can’t remember where, but I was totally intrigued (even at my age of 61). I’d loved the “Little House” books as a young girl so this really caught my eye and tugged at my heartstrings. As I get older, people pass away, and things change, (and given the pandemic) I find my need for comfy, nostalgia has increased. The author took me along with her on her emotional journey of self discovery through her/my childhood nostalgia and, since I’m older, I was also touched by some of her emotional adult experiences and personal revelations. This book is insightful, informative, and humorous. I found myself feeling those warm nostalgic feelings for LIW and then laughing out loud at Kelly’s stories and descriptions. Loved this!!!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a weakness for books where the author follows the trail of a historical event or person, as I have done minor versions of this but never had to nerve to follow the Santa Fe trail in a covered wagon or (as Kathleen Ferguson did) drive to all (or nearly) of the sites chronicled in the famous "Little House" books, clothed in a prairie dress! Honestly, once I'd read the sample which included a hysterical account of buying the infamous Laura dress, I knew I would be buying this book. By turns both funny and perceptive, she even eventually sold me on her premise of examining her self-described stagnated life through the lens of Laura Ingalls Wilder and ends up making some resonating observations about the roles of women, then and now. I loved taking this trip with her. (Kathleen, uh, my favorite girlhood book was Heidi - would you consider an Alpine dress and learning to yodel?)

[Monica Tomasello · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a good memoir. Many of the ones I've read are inspirational, people talking about things they've overcome or how they've worked to achieve their goals. The only thing I liked about this one was learning a little more about Laura Ingalls Wilder and the historical sites associated with her. The author whines about the fact that her life has gone nowhere and spends a lot of time wallowing in self-pity. She claims that she "Laura" is her mentor in life, but Laura would never spend her life the way the author seems to have done. I kept reading hoping that she would have an epiphany and find her way, but it didn't happen. It was depressing to read this story of a grown woman traipsing around the country in an ill-fitting prairie dress looking for the meaning of life.

[Jennifer Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful memoir. By turns humorous, poignant, and intellectual, the writer moves seamlessly between memory, reflecting on the books at the center of her reading life as a child, history, and that ever ongoing process: growing up. You can hear the writer's voice as though she were sitting next to you and speaking as an exceptionally clever friend, sharing a journey with you. As someone who knows that she is in fact, just as clever, warm, and witty as this book, I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it. Highly recommended, especially for those who love Laura Ingalls Wilder, and for those who haven't read her work at all, but find reading at the core of their self-hood and their journey.

[Lisa Holyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me want to go

I truly enjoyed reading about her travels. As a life long Laura fan myself, I would love to do what she did. Made me think about my own reconciliation between the real Laura and the character when I learned that her Rose had been a writer before Mom. Learning that Almanzo had been disabled and basically their whole lives had been a struggle. My daughter and I were on a trip and accidentally drove through Mansfield. Let me tell ya, saw the billboard for her house and did a hard right. Lol. So glad I did.

[Alicia C Gephart Gephart · Rating 4 out of 5]

From this book I received some more in-depth information about the Ingalls family and Laura herself. It would be fun to do as the author did, traveling to all of the landmarks that the Ingalls family traveled and lived through the years. The only issue was that at least to me, it just kind of ended. Not sure that the author really did find herself through her travels, but certainly did gain some understanding of herself I guess.

[Kris Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I have always wanted to travel the journey that Laura Ingalls Wilder did in her life, but have never had the time or money. I’m so glad that Kelly did, and then wrote this book! Kelly and I are the same age, and I totally identify with so much she said and shared in this book. She grew up in Alabama; I grew up in Georgia - and our love for LIW has helped shape our lives. I highly recommend this book for any lifelong fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder!

[Debra LaRoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Laura too.

I have always wanted to trace Laura’s footsteps, even if it was only in the eyes of another. I, too, have had many doubts about the direction of my life. Kelly’s journey gives me hope that I can still live my dreams of following Laura ... but I won’t be wearing the dress!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I can relate to the author’s love of Laura. I enjoyed reading of her experience even though her life is not one to which I can relate. I did burst out laughing when she described her position on football though!!!

[Linda Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I bought this fun and interesting book because I love Laura Ingalls Wilder and all her books. I have made the pilgrimage to Walnut Grove and have all the auxiliary books. This book is different and more personal. I loved reading the author’s journey and you will too.

[Cindy Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this genre--travelogue combined with self reflection. This is a good example of the type. This book was funny and sad and entertaining and occasionally informative. Made me want to go visit these places, Laura was pretty big in my life, too.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm. Should have loved this, I did like visiting all the sites and thought doing it in her dress was hilarious, but it was pretty whiny and listening to her complaining about how awful her life is did get old by the end. Hope she has found more purpose and happiness.

[Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir following the author as she reassesses and refocuses her life headed into middle age and decides to follow the trail of her childhood heroine Laura Ingalls Wilder. Funny and poignant.

[clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura

Loved the book. Wished the ending was not so open. Reminded me why I enjoyed the Big House books when I was little, and still do.