Friends of Betty MacDonald
For fans of this beloved American writer
Forum

Forums > General Discussion

Topic: Mrs Piggle-Wiggle

Posts 1 - 12 / 12
Last Reply: Dec 15, 2015 6:57 PM
Joined: Dec, 2007
Oct 06, 2015, 9:23 PM
I just saw this article in Time magazine about two new Mrs Piggle-Wiggle books. One of Betty's great grand daughters will be involved in the new books. I must admit I have not read any of Betty's original books but I might be tempted to look them up in the library when I have a bit more time.
Joined: Feb, 2005
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Oct 12, 2015, 7:23 PM
Hi Pat, thank you for the link. I may be tared and feathered for saying this but, Mrs.Piggle-Wiggle has never been my favorite books. I read them just the Same. A few years ago, Betty's daughter, Anne wroke Happy Birthday Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. It is wonderful to see a 4th generation continue the literary tradition. FYI: did you know that Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was/is based on Gammie?
Joined: Dec, 2007
Oct 12, 2015, 11:08 PM
Hi John, I didn't realise that Gammie was the inspiration for Mrs Piggle Wiggle,thank you for that information. I quite enjoy rereading some children's books as an adult but for some reason I have never been drawn to the Mrs Piggle-Wiggle series I don't know why. So it's interesting to hear that they are not your favourite books.
Joined: Dec, 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Oct 13, 2015, 9:30 AM
I liked the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series so much when I was a child. Next to Nancy and Plum and a book on Greek mythology, those books were favorites and were read and re-read for years, probably long after the time I should have moved on!
Joined: Feb, 2008
Nov 22, 2015, 6:35 PM
I love everything Betty wrote except for the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books. But Nancy and Plum is so great to me that I bought a copy for my 76 year aunt who I adore and was recovering from a broken neck. She was thrilled with it. Betty has often brought me comfort when I was sick too; every time I have been hospitalized since 1994 when I found Betty; her books are brought to me usually by my youngest son who understands such things...
Joined: Dec, 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Nov 24, 2015, 8:31 PM
Rusty, what was it about the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books that you didn't care for? I know a lot of present-day readers don't like her portrayal of parents as inept, but kids still think they're funny. Which is your favorite of Betty's adult books?
Joined: Feb, 2008
Nov 25, 2015, 4:40 PM
Suz don't get me wrong I consider Betty one of my closest friends. The Piggle Wiggle books are just different then her others. I own them since I have a grand daughter, but I just don't love them. I think because there is more of Betty in all the other books; you know what I mean? My favorite adult book of hers is probably a little surprising but it is "The Plague and I". But I love them all so much I wish they would discover a manuscript that was not published. My regret is there is not more...
Joined: Dec, 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Nov 26, 2015, 10:28 PM
You're right about that---there's more Betty in the other books. I like "Plague" as well; every time I read it I wonder what she left out, because she obviously was not the favorite patient in the women's ward at Firland. She was smart, witty, and observant...not qualities the nursing staff likely found conducive to quiet!

She was working on a manuscript when she became ill. No author wants their work-in-progess going public before it's finished, but wouldn't you love to read it?
Joined: Feb, 2008
Nov 29, 2015, 5:14 PM
Suz: I would love to read it!!!. Well every time since I found Betty and I have been ill in the hospital I always have that book on my mind and on my dresser. I confess sometimes when I have been less then happy with a stressed out nurse I have quietly thought Gravy Face!!! Lol...
Joined: Dec, 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Nov 30, 2015, 3:31 PM
Have been trying to type a response all day. It keeps telling me profanity and links are not allowed. I have no intention of posting a link and wasn't planning on using profanity, either, up until about five minutes ago when I tried and failed to answer rusty40 for the tenth time!
Joined: Dec, 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Nov 30, 2015, 3:40 PM
This is so funny. Every time I try to put in the title of one of Betty's book, (the one about the two orphans) or name a character in the book, (the woman who runs the boarding home for children) the forum warns me to stop using spam, profanity, or posting a link. So I give up. I think the system is mistaking the word for a space in a door through which one drops mail with the word for a woman of loose morals. That's all I can figure, because it seems to be that word which is causing me to get a warning each time. So I'll try something different: I loved Betty's description of the woman who runs the boarding home as having a mouth like a mail **** (rhymes with hot). I thought it was the perfect simile for a certain kind of personality.
Joined: Dec, 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Nov 30, 2015, 3:42 PM
It took it! It was that word! This is hysterical. We're not allowed to say the word for a narrow opening in a door or wall through which one drops letters.
Joined: Feb, 2008
Dec 15, 2015, 6:57 PM
That is hilarious yet frustrating to you.
Posts 1 - 12 / 12
Sign up to post a comment!
HomeAboutFAQContactsTo the Editor