Betty MacDonald’s semi-autobiographical The Egg and I was first published in 1945. It has since been one of America’s favorites. The story takes place in the late 1920s.
The Egg and I goes into a few years of the author’s early life, but soon concentrates on life on a chicken ranch near the town of Chimacum on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Betty and her husband, Bob Heskett, bought a run-down farm and with enormous work, converted it into a chicken ranch. Life wasn’t easy. They had no electricity or running water and had to always be on the look-out for dangerous wildlife.
Good neighbors were essential and the Hesketts had much give and take with theirs. Among their neighbors were Ma and Pa Kettle, whose story later took on a life of its own in a film series.
The book has been criticized as being politically incorrect, but considering when it was written, I accepted the fact that the author simply stated her feelings and observations of the local Native people. Many of America’s early writers expressed opinions that are now considered culturally insensitive.
The Egg and I dispels myths about the glories of living off the land. Farming is hard work, with long hours and no time off for sickness, vacations, etc. Still, despite the labor-intensive ranch work and inconveniences, MacDonald writes with humor and honesty.
The Egg and I richly deserves the favorable attention bestowed on it for generations. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining story.
Mary:
I have to comment. I did not grow up on a chicken farm as such—but my childhood home in Mahtomedi, Minnesota had a primitive beginning with outhouse, no running water, apple tree, large vegetable garden, and yes, a chicken coop. I learned a lot about things such as potato bugs, rusty nails in bare feet, and how to get my assigned two rows of veggies hoed before my brother got his done. All learning experiences that have benefited me my entire life—but I would’t want to go through it again.
So interesting, Judith. There are fewer and fewer people nowadays that can make that claim. What wonderful memories for you. But, like you say, you wouldn’t care to do through it again, I’m sure.
Lovely review, Mary. This book sounds wonderful. I think all who know farming and ranching can relate to the author. The setting must be wonderful in the Olympic Peninsula. I recently watched a PBS show about the area. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Carmen. I’d heard about this book for years, and it happened to be a book club selection. It is a fun and enlightening read.
I really enjoyed this book back in the day and remember the movie that was made, I believe with Claudette Colbert starring. I met the author Betty McDonald at a Pacific Northwest Writers’ Conference when she was there as a speaker. I recall someone saying that “Betty McDonald can make crossing the street sound interesting.” (In an aside, I learned so much from attending the PNWC. I went every year in the 1960s, early 1970s).
Thanks for your response. I remember hearing about the book, but I hadn’t read it or seen the movie. The book was a book club selection. I did enjoy it and enjoyed her writing. It was especially interesting to me, too, because of the book’s setting. I’ve only gone to a couple of PNWC conferences. One a year is plenty for me and I’ve haven’t missed a WWW conference for 20 years.
Thanks, Mary, for this review on The Egg and I. I’m not too far from Chimacum, WA, and I often pass by The Egg and I Road, wondering if I should turn there to see if I could glimpse the chicken ranch. Because of your review, as much as it’s a reminder, perhaps I will soon turn down that road to find the ranch!?
Oh, how fun, Alice. Please let me know what you see. I wasn’t aware of The Egg and I Road.