Helpful Score: 2
From the back:
An evocation of the Great Plains and its influence on the human spirit, Dakota describes the harsh, desolate, yet subline landscape that embodies the contraditions of American life as lived in the small towns where history and myth have become indistinguishable.
What I particularly liked about this book is tha the Plains and this life is seen through the eyes of someone who was NOT raised here, but came by choice.
An evocation of the Great Plains and its influence on the human spirit, Dakota describes the harsh, desolate, yet subline landscape that embodies the contraditions of American life as lived in the small towns where history and myth have become indistinguishable.
What I particularly liked about this book is tha the Plains and this life is seen through the eyes of someone who was NOT raised here, but came by choice.
Helpful Score: 2
This book describes the harsh, desolate, and yet sublime landscape that embodies the contradictions of American life as lived in the small towns where history and myth have become insdistinguishable.
"A remarkable new work of nonfiction...deeply spiritual, deeply moving...an endlessly instructive book." -New York Times Book Review
"A remarkable new work of nonfiction...deeply spiritual, deeply moving...an endlessly instructive book." -New York Times Book Review
Helpful Score: 2
A non-romanticized story of a big-city slicker's move to a tiny town and her ensuing struggles with everything from the weather to her spirituality.
Helpful Score: 1
Norris is a fine writer. Dakota captures the harsh desolation of the plains while it also tells us how the plains shaped the American character.
A delightful look at the barronness of the midwest and how one woman fills her time with spirit.
Living in a rural setting is quite different from living in an urban one. Consequently, I enjoyed this read about living in a small town in South Dakota. You see, I, too, live in rural SD. The author discusses the people who live in such an area and how different they are from the areas where she lived earlier in her life. Although she was born in Lemmon, SD, she lived in Hawaii and New York. Returning to Lemmon she encountered what might be termed a rural mentality. Readers seemed to be few and far between. I understand what she means and have encountered some of the same types of experiences which she discussed. Few rural residents even read newspapers outside the area. Perhaps some of this is due to the difficulty of surviving in such an area. Jobs are few unless you are a professional of which here are few in such areas. The teachers and the ministers seem to make up the bulk of that group. Or, you may rely on your livlihood by working the land. Yes, I have found long-term residents wary of those who move into the community. Even years later one is still a newbie. I grew up in a rural area but lived for many years in a city where, like the author, I took on those values.
The author embraced the solitude and peace of the area. That's what I find enticing, too. She found herself connecting to her Christian roots even though it was different from each of her grandmothers. One was quite fundamentalist in her thinking while the other was more understanding of the beliefs and lives of others. Searching inside herself the author turned to the Benedictine monks, getting to know them, participating in retreats and other activities. These friends anchored her heart and soul in western SD. It's a thought provoking read - probably one that anyone who returns to a rural life after time in cities far from such a life.
The author embraced the solitude and peace of the area. That's what I find enticing, too. She found herself connecting to her Christian roots even though it was different from each of her grandmothers. One was quite fundamentalist in her thinking while the other was more understanding of the beliefs and lives of others. Searching inside herself the author turned to the Benedictine monks, getting to know them, participating in retreats and other activities. These friends anchored her heart and soul in western SD. It's a thought provoking read - probably one that anyone who returns to a rural life after time in cities far from such a life.
"With humor and lyrical grace, {Norris is} at once a pondering visionary and a news reporter covering the essence of what there is tosee and touch in a land so vast that it seems more like an ocean that it does earth." (San Francisco Chronicle)
I liked Norris' writing style and her observations on rural America. Although I was less interested in the spiritual perspective, it did shed light on her view on the world. Very nice read.
A good spiritual and actual exploration of life in the western Dakotas.
Very interesting comparisions and reactions.
Very interesting comparisions and reactions.
A very thoughtful book. I know we're not supposed to comment on the condition of the book, but the person I loaned it to really studied it, and underlined some passages, and wrote some comments and outlines at the back of the book. Thought you should know in case this would make you unhappy.
One of my favorite writers, Kathleen Norris.
She speaks to a woman's heart and all of her
books are wonderful for spiritual inspiration.
She speaks to a woman's heart and all of her
books are wonderful for spiritual inspiration.
About life on the Great Plains and its influence on the human spirit.
I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed it.
