A Daughter of the Middle Border

"A Daughter of the Middle Border" by Hamlin Garland is a story that picks up where the author's life story left off, focusing on his return to his family's pioneer home in the Midwest during the early 1900s. It's all about family connections, watching how things change over time, and how America was growing up, told through Garland's memories of growing up and the lives of his loved ones. The book kicks off with him moving back to the West to look after his parents, who are getting older, after he's already made a name for himself out East. He paints a clear picture of their family farm in Wisconsin, how they get along, and the life they're building. His dad is shown as a classic pioneer, while his mom wishes she had a daughter, creating an intimate atmosphere as Garland zooms in on personal relationships and the meaningful, small moments that shape them. His story emphasizes feelings of returning home and looking back with fondness.