Elsie - Adventures Of An Arizona Schoolteacher (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
"Elsie - Adventures of an Arizona Schoolteacher 1913 - 1916" by Barbara Anne Waite was recommended to me by a friend whose literary judgement I trust and this book was a good reminder why.The book is a cleverly composed annotated memoir by the granddaughter of Elsie, a Schoolteacher in Arizona 1913 - 1916. Having a soft spot for Arizona this was a double treat, as I not only got reminded of many great sights in the beautiful country but also got a chance of a well researched, documented and illustrated insight into that particular period of time in Arizona: The way of living, the type of schools, the fashion, food and clothes supply and distribution, morals and manners of the time. To make the experience even more of a pleasure, Elsie is a great object to study, her diary entries and letters show a very kind and likeable woman with an adventurous spirit. The main focus of the story seems to be her unfulfilled love affair with Karl, a local farmer four years her junior, who she falls for but with whom a liaison seems impractical and questionable. It was heart breaking to me to read about her heartache. The concept of this book is truly inspired, the author has taken great care in giving us as much insight and original documentation as possible but knew where to 'interfere' and write or explain the story for us directly.I am much more a fan of fiction than of biography because of the dangers that the object in question might be glorified and I had that reservation on my mind when opening the book, written by a relative of Elsie, but the author did very well in letting Elsie speak enough for herself and including her relative's letters to ensure credibility.The writing flew so smooth and easily it was a delight to read. I agree with the overwhelming majority of the so far 189 (!) Amazon voters and award a very heartfelt 5 stars to this gem of a book. A great find for history buffs and readers interested in a good story. Lovely true memoir based on diaries and letters assembled by the author's granddaughter and filled in with some of her research. It begins with her asking her grandmother (then in her 90s) if she ever loved anyone before their grandfather, and grandma started to cry. There is a true plot arc as the story unfolds. You learn a lot about the way of life in those days, as Elsie did go on to become a writer and was a good diarist. Very charming and moving.
What do You think about Elsie - Adventures Of An Arizona Schoolteacher (2011)?
Interesting glimpse into the life and times of a California native teaching in Arizona in 1913-1916.
—conagher
this was a book written from a schoolteachers diary and letters. The time period was early 1900s.
—PVI
I loved this book and will probably read it again.
—David
