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The Able McLaughlins Margaret Wilson 9780877972884 Books

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The Able McLaughlins Margaret Wilson 9780877972884 Books

This is a very American story about Civil War-era farming families who have homesteaded in Iowa. The entire cast of characters are of Scots descent, and they all live within 30 miles of each other. Many of the families knew each other back in Scotland before emigrating, and Scots customs and dialect are very much a part of their everyday lives. The book vaguely reminded me of Robert Louis Stevenson's writing.

The primary characters are Wully McLaughlin, a young man of rather heroic stature and temperament, and his love interest, Chirstie (I assume it's pronounced Kirstie) McNair. Upon returning home from war, Wully falls head over heels for Chirstie and it seems apparent that she is in love with him as well, but Chirstie (and therefore Wully) is beset by some serious difficulties that prevent the two from being together during the first portion of the book. These problems are overcome, eventually, but that is a process that takes the entire book. At times I thought the characters behaved with a little too much melodrama, but I think this was a reflection of the era and probably not too far off base. A concurrent theme of Alex McNair's feisty little wife, imported recently from Scotland, adds some really great comic relief.

There is a definite moralistic tone (forgiveness) to the book but it is gracefully and lightly handled. The writing is absorbing and well-paced, although at times I wanted to skip ahead a page or two. Overall, the character development is very well done and the story is a good one.


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The Able McLaughlins Margaret Wilson 9780877972884 Books Reviews

This novel is Willa Cather meets Dudley Do Right. Set in the pioneer days of Iowa, the characters are 1-dimensional and cartoonish, although you do get to liking them. The plot is hackneyed. A lot of things are hard to believe, and little stories pop up awkwardly out of nowhere to explain motivations. The stretches of listening character's thoughts are tedious, though never go on more than 2 or 3 pages at most. Nevertheless, an entertaining little subplot in the middle of the book, involving a side character, Barbara McNair, rescues the reader, and pulls the book along. I also enjoyed a brief bit about how a peony made its way from the old world to an Iowan woman's garden. The little bits you learn about the experience of farmers from Scotland, are also pleasant. I read it in 2 days. Because it read so quickly, because of the Barbara subplot, and because of the little bits you learn about the pioneer experience, it gets 3 stars instead of fewer.

If you liked this book, or you think you might like this kind of book, I heartily recommend Willa Cather's prairie trilogy, "O Pioneers!" "Song of the Lark", and (the best one) "My Antonia", which are set in about the same time in Nebraska instead of Iowa. I personally think that the "Able McLaughlins" got a Pulitzer Prize because it imitates the books from this trilogy, which were written before they started giving out Pulitzers. The year before (1921) Willa Cather got a Pulitzer for the vastly inferior, "One of Ours". It seems to me the committee must have really been fans of these types of stories.
I'm reading every Pulitzer Prize winning novel, in order, and reached 1924's The Able McLaughlins. With a deep breath, and gritted teeth, I started a book I'd never heard of, that I was sure I wouldn't like. I thought the title was stupid and the plot didn't interest me.
But, as it turned out, I judged The Able McLaughlins too fast.
The novel takes place in a midwestern Scottish farming community during the 1860s. The McLaughlin family's oldest son Wully has just returned from the Civil War ready to marry his sweetheart Chirstie McNair. But for some reason, she won't talk to him, and, worse yet, she won't tell him why. Wully is hurt and confused until he finds out the cause of her rejection and the terrible secret she’s been harboring. The rest of the novel is about the effect Chirstie's secret has not only on her and Wully, but on the entire community.
This is a simple, highly accessible novel. Some have called it melodramatic, and I get that, but for me, the word "sentimental" does a better job of describing it. Wilson's depiction of life on the prairie owes a lot to Willa Cather, and while the characters aren't nearly as complex and interesting as those seen in Cather's work, Wilson clearly loves them, and does a great job celebrating the simple life they lead.
Ultimately, this is a book in praise of everything good that humanity has to offer. The last 30 pages had me riveted and I wasn't sure how Wilson was going to end it, but she clearly comes down on the side of generosity and grace in a way that feels truly life affirming.
There are no complicated metaphors here, no symbolism, no subtlety. Yet this small, sweet story still has a lot to offer.
This was an early Pulitzer Prize winner in fiction. It probably would not win a contemporary prize but it's an interesting enough read on which to spend a few hours.
A fine little book and a good story of life on the prairie just after the Civil War. Some good and subtle humor at times; my favorite character is Barbara McNair.
Well written and interesting.
A story of America. A story of hard work and prosperity. A love story.
Good book, four stars.
Pulitzer Prize winner 1924. Beautiful story of Scottish immigrants who migrated to the mid-west and laid the foundation of their values. A story of hardship, joy, love and honor. These were the pioneers of our country,who left their mark on the land and set their moral values which became part of America. These immigrants were the backbone of what America stood for, something we gradually lost along the way to 21st Century.
This is a very American story about Civil War-era farming families who have homesteaded in Iowa. The entire cast of characters are of Scots descent, and they all live within 30 miles of each other. Many of the families knew each other back in Scotland before emigrating, and Scots customs and dialect are very much a part of their everyday lives. The book vaguely reminded me of Robert Louis Stevenson's writing.

The primary characters are Wully McLaughlin, a young man of rather heroic stature and temperament, and his love interest, Chirstie (I assume it's pronounced Kirstie) McNair. Upon returning home from war, Wully falls head over heels for Chirstie and it seems apparent that she is in love with him as well, but Chirstie (and therefore Wully) is beset by some serious difficulties that prevent the two from being together during the first portion of the book. These problems are overcome, eventually, but that is a process that takes the entire book. At times I thought the characters behaved with a little too much melodrama, but I think this was a reflection of the era and probably not too far off base. A concurrent theme of Alex McNair's feisty little wife, imported recently from Scotland, adds some really great comic relief.

There is a definite moralistic tone (forgiveness) to the book but it is gracefully and lightly handled. The writing is absorbing and well-paced, although at times I wanted to skip ahead a page or two. Overall, the character development is very well done and the story is a good one.