Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

When Agnes Morley Cleaveland was born on a New Mexico cattle ranch in 1874, the term "Wild West" was a reality, not a cliché. In those days, cowboys didn't know they were picturesque, horse rustlers were to be handled as seemed best on the occasion, and young ladies thought nothing of punching cows and hunting grizzlies in between school terms.

No Life for a Lady is a novel approach to the West of the best tradition in an autobiography. Growing up in New Mexico from childhood not only the daily round of activity on a cattle ranch but early taking her share of responsibility and asking no allowances on the ground of her sex.

Anyone in on this story of a young girl and her ranch life?

Lesle wrote: "When Agnes Morley Cleaveland was born on a New Mexico cattle ranch in 1874, the term "Wild West" was a reality, not a cliché. In those days, cowboys didn't know they were picturesque, horse rustler..."

The book is hard to come by in The Netherlands...but I found it!
Starting the book as soon as it arrives.

Wonderful Nancy!

I did not realize it was, but happy you didnt give up.

I'm re-reading :)

Oh nice!

My library system doesn’t have this one. I’ve purchased a used one and it should be here next week.

Im hoping to start on this one next week too Chad.

I got my copy today. Goodness they really used to put books together. It’s an old, solid hardcover printed in 1941 that weighs about three times more than it looks like it should. It’s got little sketch illustrations throughout and it is boldly declared in big beautiful handwriting as the “Property of Josephine Harris” on the title page. I love old books.

That's great, Chad. Mine's a modern paperback - dull.

I didn't expect much from a "home on the prairie" type of book.

by Agnes Morley Cleaveland (no photo)

I have my copy sitting by my chair in the living room. Have not opened it yet!

Lesle wrote: "I have my copy sitting by my chair in the living room. Have not opened it yet!"

Up until now it is a series of legends, stories, adventures the children experience and a constantly worried mother (I imagine) hoping her children return safely from extended horse rides! Pioneer women had real worries! (grizzlies, coyotes, Indians!)

Finally finished this book...but unfortunately I was not "dazzled" by the writing/story.
This will be my last "frontier" read with NTLTRC group. I'm just not interested in it. It's a shame that Latin America reads has been dropped. Spanish is the most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese. Why not just name the category "spanish reads".
Well, that is just my opinion.

"No Life For a Lady"

My review

Nancy, we are reading some Spanish language authors next year in our Authors from Around the World.
Plus, if you venture into our archives you will see just how many Spanish language authors we've read in the past-most of them will be in the Archive in Translation folder.

I'm not the biggest fan of FWC books, but I absolutely loved True Grit by Charles Portis!

Please feel free to post your comments there, if you wish. They're still open for comments.

Rosemarie wrote: "Nancy, we are reading some Spanish language authors next year in our Authors from Around the World.
Plus, if you venture into our archives you will see just how many Spanish language authors we've ..."
Thanks for your feedback, Rosemarie!

No worries!

Nothing is for everyone, Nancy. Hope you enjoy your next reading experience.

I started this one. The beginning brought back very fond memories of Cimarron, New Mexico. A place that I spent a few very adventurous summers in my youth. I’m about 60 pages in and so far I like that we are being given all the classic great American West scenarios. We have gunfights, grizzlys and Indian raids, but told through such innocent eyes. I like this sort of memoir. Flipping through my sturdy 1941 edition, I notice that a number of pages towards the end remain uncut.

I've lived in New Mexico over 45 years & I think this book rings true. Our state is still has very wild places.

Annette wrote: "I've lived in New Mexico over 45 years & I think this book rings true. Our state is still has very wild places."

It does! I've been to a few of them. Absolutely beautiful country you have out there. Hundreds of thousands of acres still, to this day, unspoiled by modern man or woman. It’s hard to imagine the expansive, pristine wilderness that you can view from mountaintops if you haven’t climbed them and looked out.