Winter Wheat

Such a beautiful, beautiful book. The characters are gently revealed through their choices, actions, dialogue, and even their interaction with the harsh/lovely landscape. Ellen's situation is unique to her era and environment, but then again, much about her is timeless: her longing, her confusion, her stamina, the bitterness of the lessons she learns in growing up. Her parents are--I'd say richly drawn but that makes me think of the florid descriptions of a Pat Conroy or something, and Walker is as far from that as imaginable. I'll say instead that they are hard and true characters whose own story adds much to Ellen's. You will not regret reading this wonderful book.

Written over sixty years ago about ranchers living in remote parts of Montana, this old fashioned coming of age novel has a surprising currency. Its bittersweet portrayal of human relationships has a deep ring of emotional truth, and its understanding of the constantly shifting nature of identity makes it almost postmodern. Meanwhile, it can be read with a kind of page-turning breathlessness that keeps readers hoping that everything - against all odds - will somehow turn out for the best. Most remarkable for a reader growing up in a mid-century rural community, the novel evokes vividly the seasonal rounds of living and working on a farm circa 1940. Though Montana was her adopted home (Walker grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and attended Wells College), she writes with an intimate knowledge of farm work that is rare in literature. Also remarkable is the novel's wartime setting, as Walker writes of Pearl Harbor and the impact of entry into WWII on the lives of her characters, even while that war was still being fought (the novel was published in 1944). I recommend this novel highly for its way of creating very individual characters leading quite plausible lives rooted firmly in very real physical and psychological worlds. Its lessons about hard work and survival, the bonds of love, living with insecurity, and the lifelong effects of choices made affirm a view of life that embraces both loss and reward. Thanks to the University of Nebraska Press for keeping this fine novel in print. Also recommended, Judy Blunt's "Breaking Clean" and Mary Clearman Blew's "All But the Waltz."

Mildred Walker is a suburb writter who can span the entire emotional spectrum of humanity. This book is one of my favorites, I have read it several times. Each time I find new ways in which I can relate to the emotion's of the characters. I really enjoy her descpriton of Montana's landscape. Her ability to describe takes the reader into the wheat fields to join in the life journey of her characters. Powerfully written, this book will change how you view yourself and the realtionships around you.

I initially picked this book up at the local library, liking the title itself. When I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. Mildred Walker does a fantastic job of getting the human heart onto paper and I highly recommend reading this book. My wife and two daughters also read this book, largely based on my recommendation. One of my daughters also had the same reaction I did, and she is only 9 years old. This book only spans the period of less than two years of a girl's life, but oh what a two years! Please read this great book.

What can I say? This is quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read. Mildred Walker wove a story that stole my heart away. Ellen Webb, Gilbert, Leslie, Anna, Ben, and Warren were so alive in this story. It's as if it really happened. I was transported in time to their lives and I did not want to leave it. Splendid literary talent like this comes rarely. I felt like I was there with them. I could not stop reading this book.I highly recommend this book to all and I have already purchased several copies to distribute to my family and friends. I am going to read it again and again... Thankyou, Mildred Walker, for your depth of understanding of the human heart.