It seems to me that many modern people, when regarding old fashioned patriarchy (let alone true Biblical patriarchy), with unfortunate experiences with modern so-called patriarchy, come to some rather startling and unhistorical conclusions about the nature of that system.
I would always recommend, and definitely in this case, that the parent read them first:
1) There are some very serious themes. It is semi-autobiographical and his father dies at the end of the first book, some horses need to be put down, etc. Other books have more serious themes, including a grandfather who is near insane, a man who abuses his family and horses, etc.
2) The language might be a bit much for some. I didn’t notice growing up, but my wife went through with a black pen.
3) Now I think this is positive, but they are accurate historically. Which makes some modern readers uncomfortable. Issues of spanking, for example, are there, I think. And this one time he has to drop his pants in front of his entire class while his teacher digs a splinter out of his nether regions. Totally non-sexual for everyone concerned, but some modern readers might freak out.
4) The values he promotes are NOT modern values. Not only anti-helicopter family but, well, the second book is called ‘Man of the Family’ and the main theme is that he disagrees with, and thus disobeys his mother when, after she becomes a widow, he sees it as his prime responsibility to be the ‘man of the family’ and provide for them, not just ‘be a kid’.
Now, several of those I think are great things, but many modern parents won’t. So… you have been warned.
Have you ever read ‘Little Britches’?
Yes. Several books.
Now, warning… what age are your kids? Or are you just reading it for yourself?
No, not at all but…
I would always recommend, and definitely in this case, that the parent read them first:
1) There are some very serious themes. It is semi-autobiographical and his father dies at the end of the first book, some horses need to be put down, etc. Other books have more serious themes, including a grandfather who is near insane, a man who abuses his family and horses, etc.
2) The language might be a bit much for some. I didn’t notice growing up, but my wife went through with a black pen.
3) Now I think this is positive, but they are accurate historically. Which makes some modern readers uncomfortable. Issues of spanking, for example, are there, I think. And this one time he has to drop his pants in front of his entire class while his teacher digs a splinter out of his nether regions. Totally non-sexual for everyone concerned, but some modern readers might freak out.
4) The values he promotes are NOT modern values. Not only anti-helicopter family but, well, the second book is called ‘Man of the Family’ and the main theme is that he disagrees with, and thus disobeys his mother when, after she becomes a widow, he sees it as his prime responsibility to be the ‘man of the family’ and provide for them, not just ‘be a kid’.
Now, several of those I think are great things, but many modern parents won’t. So… you have been warned.
You're asking a modern audience to read history and think deeply in it. Heavy lifting.
Excellent post about a world we can barely comprehend from our lofty perch.