North Country Life: Tales of Woodsmen, Waters, and Wildlife

The former poet laureate of Vermont offers a stunning portrait of life up north.

＂There is a soulful quality to his words and a strong conviction that a connected life is one to be admired and emulated. A cross between Thoreau and David James Duncan, Lea is a northern treasure.＂ --Booklist

A North Country Life is the story of author Sydney Lea’s powerful connection to his family, friends, and the northern outdoors. Loosely organized by the changing of seasons, different sections feature essays on such topics as childhood family fishing trips in the wilds of Maine, trophy fly-fishing the northern reaches of the Connecticut River, the opening day of turkey hunting season in Vermont, and getting lost in the deep woods while deer hunting. The essays are introspective and dramatic illustrations of the blending of the human and natural worlds; emotion is attached to both spheres and adds texture to the sketches. Readers of varied interests will be drawn to the sincerity of the author’s voice.

A notable writer and poet, Lea’s lyrical writing preserves a picture of people and places from the past with vivid scenes recalling former times and contrasting them with modern life. Thoughtful portraits of New England elders and the author’s friends bring to life the outdoors as seen through many different eyes, inspiring readers to take a new look at the world around them. With the author’s knack for descriptive language, this compelling read will strike a chord with anyone interested in the contemplative side of nature--which, in truth, is most of us.

Sydney Lea was Poet Laureate of Vermont (2011-2015). A recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim, Rockefeller, and Fulbright Foundations, Lea founded, and for thirteen years edited New England Review Retired after forty-three years of college teaching, he is active in literacy and conservation efforts in northern New England.