Letters From Eden: A Year at Home, in the Woods
by Julie Zickefoose
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Book Summary Information
Author: Julie ZickefooseForeword: Sy Montgomery
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-04
ISBN: 0618573089
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Book Reviews of Letters From Eden: A Year at Home, in the Woods
Book Review: A RARE AND WONDERFUL WORK
Summary: 5 Stars
Being a long time subscriber and reader of Bird Watcher's Digest, I was quite familiar with the art and writing of Julie Zickefoose. I pretty well knew what I was getting when I ordered this book. I am also an avid fan of the art of essay writing, a fanatical birder and armature naturalist. I have for years, been a reader and admirer of the writings of Edwin Way Teale, a sort of natural history literary God for me, and a rather obsessive reader of Thoreau, in particular his observations concerning the natural world around him.
Now there are several aspects of this volume that I find delightful, exciting and gratifying. First, Ms. Zickefoose is simply a better writer than Teale was, and there is no doubt in my mind that her knowledge has far exceeded his. As to Thoreau; I suppose taste comes into play here and while I always have and always will consider him one of the greats, I must admit that it is refreshing to read a series of natural history essays without having to plow through various social and political rants on every other page. Then there is the artistic aspect. This woman can draw and she can paint! In particular her bird and plant renderings can hold their own against anyone in the business today. Each plate, each picture is an absolute delight to the eye. I will gladly throw rocks at anyone who calls her a "mere illustrator" and not a true artist. Another, and probably the most important aspect of this work that has so impressed me is the author's absolute passion for the subjects she writes of. This passion simply drips, in a very good way, from almost ever well constructed sentence. I love it when people truly feel and feel strongly.
This is a series of natural history essays written at and about her home place in Ohio. It has been broken done in a sort of chronology, with representative work for Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall and back to Winter. The author has taken us with her on walks about her as she traverses her 80 acres, sharing her thoughts and observations. I was delighted to note that she has included her children, an obvious large part of her life, in with many of her tales. Her observations are quite astute and insightful. There again, I am not unfamiliar with the subject matter here, having a place of my own much as she describes; mine is in the Missouri Ozarks, but critters are critters and animals are animals. I must humbly admit that I learned much from reading this work. Her observations and the information she provides have me looking at certain aspects of my own ramblings in a complete different light. She has made many of the same observations I have made over the years, but in her case, she is able to articulate and record in the written word things that I simply do not have the skill to do. As I read her work I feel she is writing for me and to me and I completely understand what she is saying, I am simply not able to say or write with her skill. I simply do not have her formal training and I am so grateful for people like her that are able and willing to share their knowledge.
When I first received this work I felt that it would be a good one to set on my table, pick up occasionally and read a chapter here and there. No, no,no...that did not work out so well. After the first page she had me hooked and I had to read the thing cover to cover, almost non-stop. This is one thought that will be read over and over again by me over the years.
This is a very well designed book and well crafted. This is not a book that will fall apart after a few readings as so many newer books tend to do. High quality paper, print and craftsmanship have gone into its making. It is a pleasure to hold and read.
As a side note; her chapter on the Common Eastern Box Turtle is worth the price of the book alone. I had to laugh as she wrote of her tendency to rescue these wonderful little creatures from certain death as the cross roads. I have been doing the same thing for years and have dodged many a car in doing so.
All in all, a completely delightful read. Evan if you are not a lover of our natural world, one that is swiftly drifting away from us, you will love this work.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Summary of Letters From Eden: A Year at Home, in the Woods
A frequent commentator on NPR's All Things Considered, Julie Zickefoose has painted nature virtually all her life. At the age of seven she knew that she wanted to paint birds for a living, and her lifelong dedication shows in her paintings, which are meticulously accurate as well as beautiful. The paintings used here, of scenes from her beloved home in southern Ohio, illuminate well-crafted essays based on her daily walks and observations. Wild turkeys, coyotes, box turtles, and a bird-eating bullfrog flap, lope, and leap through her prose. She excels at describing and exploring interactions between people and animals, bringing her subjects to life in just a few lines. Her husband and young children make appearances, presenting their own challenges and pleasures. The essays are arranged by season, starting with winter, providing a sense of movement through the year.
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