Laura Bell

With a heart as large as the "big sky" country she writes of, Laura Bell writes a memoir that intertwines a sense of place and the sense of what it means to be alive.

Bell recounts her years working with sheep and cows in Wyoming, living a spartan life from a material standpoint, but having a deeply rich inner life. Her beautiful prose captures the wonder of the landscape, and the aches and joys of her heart.

While the first part of the book felt somewhat disjoined to me (I'll dock her half a star), the last few chapters are tenderly poignant.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. A special thank you to Cathrine for recommending such a great book.… (mais)

I set the book down as I finished it thinking it was a gift to have read it. This kind of memoir leaves one in the one down position of having made a great new friend who doesn't know you. [return][return]Bell showed me a side of Wyoming I don't see. I see the belligerent rancher and outfitter and have a hard time imagining much there that is literary. Bell avoids talking much about conservation even though she ends up working for the Nature Conservancy. There may be an interesting nonfiction piece in that to explore.[return][return]I am nuts about the cover. We may have to gain some inspiration from this one.… (mais)

I set the book down as I finished it thinking it was a gift to have read it. This kind of memoir leaves one in the one down position of having made a great new friend who doesn't know you.

Bell showed me a side of Wyoming I don't see. I see the belligerent rancher and outfitter and have a hard time imaging much in the literary way. Bell avoids talking much about conservation even though she ends up working for the Nature Conservancy. There may be an interesting nonfiction piece in that to explore.

I am nuts about the cover. We may have to gain some inspiration on this one.… (mais)