Book Review: Fifty Acres and a Poodle: A Story of Love, Livestock, and Finding Myself on a Farm

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Fifty Acres and a Poodle: A Story of Love, Livestock, and Finding Myself on a Farm     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Jeanne Marie Laskas
Class/Genre:   Non-Fiction   Biography

A few years ago Laskas and her boyfriend bought a small farm in the countryside outside of Pittsburgh. They were both total newcomers to the country way of living, but had romantic notions of living in the midst of beautiful scenery, raising animals, and enjoying the ambience. Bringing along their cat and two dogs, they encountered an unsuitable tractor, grounds overgrown with multiflora (a type of invasive shrub), a well that ran dry in hot summer weather, hunters who roamed the nearby woods sending the echoing booms of their firearms through the air, sheep belonging to a neighbor which located every weakness in every fence and grazed on their land, and a barn which continued its long slow crumble into ruin.

In a delightful stream of consciousness style, Laskas tells an engaging story of her growing comfort level with solitude, and increasing familiarity with country ways and the helpfulness of neighbors. One neighbor in particular becomes an unwavering support system to her, treating her with a delightful combination of practical helpful advice and an old fashioned courtliness. Together Laskas and her boyfriend live through a serious illness, the death of one much loved pet, a visit from overseas relatives, and eventually engagement, a wedding, marriage, and parenthood.

An undiscovered gem of a book!

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM