The Three Faces of Nellie: The Real Story Behind Laura Ingalls Wilder's Nellie Oleson - Paperback

by Robynne Elizabeth Miller (Author)

Whether you love her, hate her, or love to hate her, Nellie Oleson is one of most recognizable literary figures of the 20th century. But Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie series in which Nellie appears, had a secret. . .Nellie wasn't a real person Instead, she was a composite character created from three girls Laura knew from childhood: Nellie Owens, Genevieve Masters, and Estella Gilbert. The Little House character of Nellie Oleson is one-dimensional: snobbish, selfish, and thoroughly unpleasant. But the real women behind Laura's creation? An intriguing mix of the not-so-nice and the unexpectedly redeemable. In short, they were human. Discovering the true stories behind Nellie, Genevieve, and Estella has been a fascinating journey. All three ended up on the West Coast at one point. . .true westward movement One was widowed twice, one ended up divorced, and one died way too young. Two only had one child, and one had three, though she outlived her youngest by a very long time. There's even some "Nellie-like" drama in there: Embezzlement. Lying on censuses. Shady land deals. But there are some beautiful things, too. . .like the enduring love of a husband after his bride died. Or the rare closeness of a mother and daughter who shared their lives as adults. Or the strength of a young widowed mother who not only cared for her son, but headed out west, in true pioneer fashion, while she did so. Laura Ingalls Wilder did a masterful job of creating the character of Nellie Oleson. But the three real-life women behind that iconic character are, in my opinion, infinitely more intriguing.

Author Biography

Robynne Elizabeth Miller is wife to an amazing Brit, mother to a glorious brood of adopted and biological kids, and makes her home in the snowy woods of Northern California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Besides her own writing, Robynne speaks on a variety of top-ics, teaches workshops at writing conferences and other venues, leads two writing groups, is a private writing coach, and serves on the Board of Directors of Inspire Christian Writers. Passionate about her family, faith, music and cooking, she can also be found blogging at mylittleprairiehome.com and thepracti-calpioneer.com. Huge Little House on the Prairie and Laura Ingalls Wilder fan. Loves to make (and eat!) home made bacon.