The Rim of the Prairie

Bess Streeter Aldrich has written many, many wonderful books and this is one of her best. When I loaned several Aldrich books to one of my daughter's 19yr old friends, she liked them all but LOVED "Rim of the Prairie" the best, probably due to the young adult love story interwoven through the book. Aldrich has a way of creating characters who stick with a reader long after they've finished one of her books, and Rim is no exception. The beauty and feel of the Midwest is captured perfectly, especially the wonder of the seasons and the deep attachment those who have worked the earth have for their land. There's a couple mysteries woven through the book, and even the smallest of actions by remote characters have an impact at some point. Classic story telling, wonderful characters - some lovable, some not! - and a tangible feel for the beauty of the Midwest make this a book many readers will enjoy, and read again and again.

I was lucky enough to grow up with Bess Streeter Aldrich's books, since my mother had them all and I read them in my late teens. What a wonderful surprise to find these books have been reissued! "The Rim of the Prairie" is my personal favorite. Uncle Jud and Aunt Biny are wonderful characters and I loved the way Nancy and Warner's romance proceeded despite the obstacles. You can tell Aldrich loved her native Nebraska very much and her descriptions of the countryside are beautiful -- almost lyrical. This book holds up extremely well considering how long ago it was originally published. I would encourage anyone who hasn't read Bess Streeter Aldrich to do so. Start with "The Rim of the Prairie!" It will make you want to read the rest of her books. Also recommended: "A Lantern in Her Hand," "A White Bird Flying," "Miss Bishop," and "Journey Into Christmas."

Read the book. I did when I was 14.It has influenced me for over 30 years. I have lived by many of Nancy's (and her father's) values.I will never ever regret spending my hard-earned pennies to get that book in some souvenir shop while my family was on our "go West" summer trip. I always thought long and hard before buying anything, but after leafing through a few pages and reading passages from Bess Streeter Aldrich's book, I would have asked my parents for extra money to buy the book. Luckily, I had enough. It's the best investment I have ever made.Karen K. (Schmidt) Gregory

Intrigue - romance - good old-fashioned values - beautiful sentences - believable characters. Having grown up in the Midwest, this book brought back all the seasons, smells, rhythms and beauty of prarie living. Bess Streeter Aldrich's prose is timeless - I am thankful to have discovered her work. What a pleasant surprise!

This is a good book, well worth reading. I like mysteries, and this one has a mystery in it! I won't tell you what it is, you'll have to find out, but it is not a 'scary' type of mystery, just enough to make you not want to put the book down. I just wanted to say that I have 'Rim of the Prairie', and really enjoyed it! If you live in Nebraska, you will enjoy this book, and even if you don't, you should still read it.