Laura Bell

With a heart as large as the "big sky" country she writes of, Laura Bell writes a memoir that intertwines a sense of place and the sense of what it means to be alive.

Bell recounts her years working with sheep and cows in Wyoming, living a spartan life from a material standpoint, but having a deeply rich inner life. Her beautiful prose captures the wonder of the landscape, and the aches and joys of her heart.

While the first part of the book felt somewhat disjoined to me (I'll dock her half a show more star), the last few chapters are tenderly poignant.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. A special thank you to Cathrine for recommending such a great book. show less

Laura Bell's Claiming Ground is a memoir of a wild, lonely, beautiful life lived in the mountains of Wyoming. When she took a job as a shepherd working for the Lewis Ranch Laura found the place she belonged. Among tough, hardworking people, many of them running from various demons she learns about love and loss the hard way.
The language in this book is what strikes you first. Laura uses gorgeous prose to describe the landscape that she clearly loves. You really feel like you could be there show more in these truly wild and free places. She vividly conveys the feeling of being alone in the places with nothing but her dogs, horse, and sheep for company for long stretches of time. The story ends up being a slow, sad one, with only the Wyoming mountains offering redemption and solace. I wish it could have had a different ending, but I appreciate her honesty and refusal to sugar coat the hard facts of life. If you read western literature you will enjoy this memoir. show less

I set the book down as I finished it thinking it was a gift to have read it. This kind of memoir leaves one in the one down position of having made a great new friend who doesn't know you. [return][return]Bell showed me a side of Wyoming I don't see. I see the belligerent rancher and outfitter and have a hard time imagining much there that is literary. Bell avoids talking much about conservation even though she ends up working for the Nature Conservancy. There may be an interesting show more nonfiction piece in that to explore.[return][return]I am nuts about the cover. We may have to gain some inspiration from this one. show less

I set the book down as I finished it thinking it was a gift to have read it. This kind of memoir leaves one in the one down position of having made a great new friend who doesn't know you.

Bell showed me a side of Wyoming I don't see. I see the belligerent rancher and outfitter and have a hard time imaging much in the literary way. Bell avoids talking much about conservation even though she ends up working for the Nature Conservancy. There may be an interesting nonfiction piece in that to show more explore.

I am nuts about the cover. We may have to gain some inspiration on this one. show less