Onions in the Stew

Betty MacDonald’s humorous memoir “Onions in the Stew,” describes her upbringing in Washington State. Tenant Betty is a divorced working mother and her two teenage children are the main characters of this Second World War narrative. Which revolves around their adventures living in her mother’s home. Clear depictions are made of the private conditions of youth, and the challenges of moving to a rural place without urban facilities. And the joys of gathering food from the land and sea. Despite the chaos, island life, and poetic moments, Betty provides insights into the realities of island existence and the quirks of Vashon Island.