Exploring the Beauty of the Countryside with Verlyn Klinkenborg's 'More Scenes from the Rural Life'

Timothy J Hurst: A quiet and thoughtful account of the author's life on a small (lifestyle) farm in the northeast of the US. Presented as diary entries every month or so over many years, with his thoughts about other issues (and travels across America) included from time to time. The most moving parts are when he talks about feeding his horses, scratching his pigs, driving his tractor, watching the birds, mending his fences, preparing for the next storm, etc etc. He just (artfully) lets slip little details about his personal life from time to time. I love this book and I will read it again.

United States on May 19, 2016

Robin Picard: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it at night and I found it soothing. The author has a wonderful talent to take the most basic aspects of our daily lives and consider their meaning and place. I felt like I knew his farm and his land. I was transported to the rural life and felt as if the author was a friend. It slowed me down and offered me a chance to enjoy what otherwise is so easily overlooked.

United States on Jan 02, 2014

B. Hamlin: I sincerely enjoyed the prose in this book. As his style Mr. Klinkenborg clearly details his trials of leaving the city and pursuing a life running a farm. His tales of trial and error are very entertaining, thought provoking and makes us all a little envious of that excitement we wish we could experience. However, after reading short story after short story they seem to grow very similar and you find yourself asking if you perhaps had read that particular piece before.
This is a great read that takes you away to the rural life you may remember from your youth or the life you so badly desire. I would implore everyone to give it a try and enjoy the simple beauty of his adventures. The authors knowledge and way with words create a very clear image that can easily take you away. Just don't be surprised if a little while into it you feel you have seen that image before.

United States on Oct 17, 2013

Amazon Customer: That's the best word I can come up with. I think it is accurate. The writing is absolutely top notch. There's no plot, of course, unless you consider life a plot. It is a pleasure to savor this collection of articles. I like some more than others, but I'm sure everyone will. Beautiful writing and a great book to read and re-read. Or read to your kids at bedtime. Or your lover or spouse (or both). The stories sound great when read aloud. Excellent job!

United States on Sep 20, 2013

Julie D.: I hadn't heard of this author but was casting around for something different to read. The idea of reading someone's collected essays about life on a farm in upstate New York sounded just the thing, almost like an adult version of the Laura Ingalls Wilder tales I always loved as a child.

It was definitely the right choice as I have been enchanted by the beauty of Verlyn Klinkenborg's prose, the strength of his understanding of nature and animals, and in the vivid images which make me feel as if I am there in the country. It is almost as good as taking a vacation. I find myself deliberately slowing down, savoring the writing, and simply relaxing.

There is a section in the middle of the book called Interludes wherein are included more direct commentary on subjects like genetically engineered crops, big farming, and so forth. I read the first couple but, frankly, I found nothing that I hadn't picked up already in the more lyrical journal style writing from the rest of the book. One may agree with him or not in these more opinionated pieces and I found that about 90% of the time I did agree. However, as I say, I lost nothing in briefly skimming most of them and moving on....

United States on Jul 30, 2013