Clearing in the West: My Own Story

by Nellie L. McClung, Aritha van Herk

An autobiography of a woman growing up on the wild Canadian Prairie.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada

439 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1990

About the author

Nellie McClung, born Nellie Letitia Mooney (20 October 1873 – 1 September 1951), was a Canadian feminist, politician, and social activist. She was a part of the social and moral reform movements prevalent in Western Canada in the early 1900s. In 1927, McClung and four other women: Henrietta Muir Edwards, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby, who together came to be known as "The Famous Five" (also called "The Valiant Five")[citation needed], launched the "Persons Case," contending that women could be "qualified persons" eligible to sit in the Senate. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that current law did not recognize them as such. However, the case was won upon appeal to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council—the court of last resort for Canada at that time.
She published her first novel Sowing Seeds in Danny in 1908. A national bestseller, it was succeeded by short stories and articles in several Canadian and American magazines.

Reviews

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a delightful memoir by an admirable woman, telling the story of her life from birth to her wedding day at the age of twenty-three. No mention is made here of the importance she would have on Canadian public life in later years, but apparently she covers that in the second part of her autobiography, which I am now anxious to read.
Not only was she a force to be reckoned with, but she was also a gifted writer.
I enjoy reading memoirs by women who often include a wealth of detail about clothing, food and furnishings, and this one is no exception. "She wore a dolman of smoke gray brocaded velvet and a black grosgrain silk dress with bugle trimming, and a gold bar brooch set with pearls, and earrings to match."
She also waxes lyrical about the beauty of the prairie she loved so much: "I loved to listen to the sibilant whispering of the ripening grain billowing and dappling in the wind, and to watch the dark blue flowing shadows cast by the drifting clouds. From the time the grain began to turn to gold in early August until the stooks polka-dotted the fields, the whole countryside throbbed with colour and movement and sound."
And she is also amusing, with funny stories she tells on herself as well as her family and friends. The only hints of things to come are the disagreements she has with her mother, who was forever trying to teach her to be more ladylike. What an inspiring speaker she must have been!
This is one of the best pioneer memoirs I have ever read.

[Jo-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this autobiography, and thought it was quite heart felt. Mrs. McClung's historical legacy is strong, but mixed; she was a strong advocate of eugenics and supported involuntary sterilization of the so called "feeble minded". Yet, she observes that her mother had an affinity for plain, homely people and saw past looks to the heart. Nellie offers much compassion for Indigenous people and describes at length the problems they face - land stealing, extinction of traditional food sources, incomprehension of customs, traditions and spiritual life. Certainly, she offers a great deal of insight into transmission of intergenerational trauma - families coming to settle in groups and bringing their old quarrels, problems and disputes along with them. Her description of the effects of this on her school children is quite insightful. My own opinion is that most folks are capable of both meritous accomplishment, and dubious conduct, often at the same time. I recommend this volume to those interested in Canadian history, and in human psychology.

[Carrie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wonderful memoir by Nellie McClung about her early years (8yrs old until about 20 yrs old). Her family were some of the first white settlers to homestead and farm in the area west of Winnipeg. Fascinating portrait of the time, newspapers headlining the Riel Rebellion and all! McClung is a great storyteller and includes wonderful detail. The book made me like her, too.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolutely delightful story that brought back fond memories from my youth.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We went to see the statue of the Famous Five (https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-her...), of whom Nellie McClung was one. One of our group asked what it was that drove these women, and so I found this book.

There is a strong Little House on the Prairie vibe to the earlier part of the book, growing into a life somewhat similar to Little Women, shot through with the the spirit of Anne Shirley. But there is no fiction here, just hard work, striving, and a clear eyed view of how life was and how it could be better. Nellie McClung was a child of her time, and held some views that are not popular today, but you can see where she came from and how she fought to over come some common prejudices and views, with the help of teachers, preachers and reading. Good, readable history.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

[http://www.canadian-writers-collectiv...]

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this memoir for its style; there's a kind of affection and nostalgia in how McClung tells the stories of her youth. It reminds me of some of my grandfather's stories, similarities of young children in hardworking Prairie families I suppose.
Still, McClung was a very important and influential person in Canadian history and this book touches on none of that. It ends at her marriage when all of the more interesting aspects of her life came after.
Nearly 400 pages of what basically amounted to childhood reminiscing eventually got a little bit boring.

[Lise Mayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know Nellie McClung was a writer. Why is this not taught in schools, as she is a Canadian icon? I found her writing engaging and descriptive. I learned a great deal about pioneer life from a child’s and woman’s perspective. I will read the sequel and more of her work. She took me back to my grandparents’ time on the prairies.

[Richard Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first hand account of pioneer life on the prairies of a family that moved from Ontario to Manitoba. The book describes the experiences which nurtured the person who has a prominent place in Canada's history.

[Glennie Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sentimental read