The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
I loved this book! I picked it up after hearing the author interviewed on the radio. I was expecting a funny books about two city guys learning to farm, and it is that, but it's so much more. It also deals with approaching middle age, and accepting that sometimes working as hard and as smart as you can, there are other forces in life that may keep you from achieving your dreams and goals. The book oozes feelings of goodwill, love, and compassions, without being the least bit sappy. And, at times, it is laugh-out-loud funny. This is a great book, funny and about stuff I like (eg Martha Stewart and small towns in New England/New York and purple cherokee tomatoes). He's a great writer, lively and quirky and unexpected. It's not the usual cute "i'm a farmer and other people envy me" kind of book that either makes your teeth hurt or makes you suspicious. In fact, kind of the whole story arc of the book is "we were trying so hard to be perfect that it wrecked our lives, until we learned to relax a little and be happier. Now everything IS perfect, in its imperfection." One thing that bothered me though and probably shouldn't is that the author is an advertising guy and he makes a point of noting how real life and events are packaged and fictionalized. It made me more aware of the degree to which he was telling a tale, and having things happen in a time and in a way that they best illustrated the point he was trying to make. So I felt a little uncomfortable about that kind of blurred line between "is this fiction or not?" But on the other hand, I'm sure all writers of this kind of book (1) my life was so great, you should read about me and envy me and then 2) my life fell into ruin so now you should sympathize with me and then 3) I pulled myself out of that mess, dear reader, as you would if you were in my shoes and now I have a happy ending we can all celebrate) do follow those same patterns and move facts around to suit the narrative. At least Kilmer-Purcell is honest about it. I do want to go to their website now and look at their blog. He and his partner are genuinely interesting and adorable. Even if it's all fiction. I mean, hey I like fiction. And obviously, much of what is in this book is true and it's all good reading.
What do You think about The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir (2010)?
Engaging and entertaining, Josh bares all in his memoir about purchasing a farm in upstate NY.
—Les
Great book. Love reading books by Josh Kilmer-Purcell.
—tomcava
