rickken's review against another edition
4.0
I truly wish I could give this book three-and-a-half stars, but the rating system here forces me to choose between three and four. By the time you're reading this, I may well have caved and popped it up to four. Or flopped back to three.
At any rate, I enjoyed this book. I deeply enjoyed it, but was not deeply moved by it. The author is undoubtedly skilled as a writer, and his varied accounts of life in Maine are all interesting, enjoyable, amusing, emotive. But reaching the end, putting the book down, I did not feel the ineffable sense of having been changed that accompanies a truly great book.
Recommended, and heartily, but not required reading.
Aw, hell, let's give it four!
At any rate, I enjoyed this book. I deeply enjoyed it, but was not deeply moved by it. The author is undoubtedly skilled as a writer, and his varied accounts of life in Maine are all interesting, enjoyable, amusing, emotive. But reaching the end, putting the book down, I did not feel the ineffable sense of having been changed that accompanies a truly great book.
Recommended, and heartily, but not required reading.
Aw, hell, let's give it four!
amy_harboredinpages's review against another edition
4.0
Roorbach has taken me on a journey of exploration with-in my own backyard. He explores the Temple Stream as I once did my own wooded home, and nearby brooke. With curiosity, and excitement at each small discovery.
lbuck303's review
1.0
I had to read this book for a class. The writing is excellent and the author has a lot of passion for his subject. Too bad I just couldn't get into it. There are huge lapses where I don't even remember what happens. This is the type of book where you need the right kind of audience for it - anyone who loves the the study of the outdoors set in a nonfiction prose. I'm more of fiction kinda gal who doesn't like a whole bunch of explanation, and likes the focus of the story to be on the people who push the action along.
ladymedievalist1's review
4.0
I loved how Roorbach's fascinating study of nature, specifically around Temple Stream (located in Maine) was contrasted with his own life and what was going on in both in different seasons. In some way, his life in Maine, and perhaps even all of his experiences, are somehow related to the stream. I particularly enjoyed the character of Earl Pomeroy, and I had a couple questions about him, but I forgot to ask him when I met him and he signed my book. Also, when I went to his reading, he read from his new novel, Life Among Giants, coming out November 13th, and I totally plan on reading it and everyone else should too.
There is so much I feel like I could say about this book, but I think I'll sum it up by saying "go out and read it!"
There is so much I feel like I could say about this book, but I think I'll sum it up by saying "go out and read it!"
More...