Gwen Roland

This is my 2nd or 3rd re-reading since I've discovered this book. This book is so lovely; it describes a bygone era I dream about. Anyone who is interested in the Louisiana wilderness (or cottage-core aesthetics) simply must read it. Having been born and raised mere miles away from the Atchafalaya Basin, it's very cozy for someone like me. It breaks my heart that running away into this life is so close within reach, but ultimately impossible to achieve today because large swaths of the show more River-Basin as described in the book are long gone. What remains is enough to tempt and tease the romantic and nostalgic reader. show less

Originally published in 2006. A little jewel I happened upon at our local Goodwill store. What a fascinating memoir! Gwen Roland sure has a gift for writing in a way that you can actually visualize living on the bayou yourself. Her writing style is very unique. I love how she see's and expresses normal everyday things in life. This little book, with it's beautiful black and white photos by C.C. Lockwood, will remain part of my personal book collection in my Louisiana room for guests.

There is show more also a documentary of her life, that she directed herself, on YouTube. Just type in Atchafayala Houseboat. She presents more photos and returns to the area with Calvin and C.C.Lockwood in later years to reminisce.

Gwen has since written another book, " Postmark Bayou Chene: A Novel" (2015), which I most definitely will look into reading soon. show less

Gwen Roland and her boyfriend Cal spent nearly a decade in the Atchafalaya Basin on a houseboat they built themselves. Gwen and Cal lead simple but rich lives living off the bounty of the land and water. This memoir poetically describes the swamp and their daily lives. I love this book, and I find Gwen Carpenter Roland an inspiration, my kind of woman!

Woman lives in Bayou on houseboat for 10 years.