Winter: Notes from Montana

Winter: Notes From Montana by Rick Bass is a memoir about a man falling in love with an idea. An idea that became a way of life. With a gentle and growing reverence he shared his journey. A journey filled with small moments of beauty that combined became something of awe. He was mesmerized by his chosen home... and protective... as one often is with things they love. Bass felt that he was as close to heaven as one could get while still feeling the snow beneath his feet. "Winter" is a beautiful and heart-warming memoir.

"There are days when I promise, when I swear, that as long as I can walk up the trail behind the house, or as long as I can go out into the yard and look up at the stars, I'll never be unhappy, never. Not just count my show more blessings, but shout them."

Bass and his future wife moved to the remote Yaak Valley in 1987 to pursue a dream. To live "off-grid," as we call it today. The journey Bass recounts in "Winter" led to two decades in the remote Yaak Valley and a lifetime of environmental activism to protect the vast natural landscape that is northern Montana. Bass still lives in Montana and continues to write and advocate for wilderness protection. show less

Rarely have I read an author who is more self-absorbed than this guy. A self-proclaimed environmentalist who nonetheless chops all kinds of wood to heat his home, who thinks nature should be left alone except for what he wants to do. I had hoped for interesting insights into life on the edge of civilization - instead a disconnect from reality.

"It's easier to learn certain things when you're watching them occur in slow motion."

Life in Montana during the winter, sign me up.

Fun book.

Beautiful. I happened upon this book in a little Independent Book Store in Torrey Utah - Robber's Roost. Cute place, really nice lady who works there... I asked her about the book and she raved at the excellent writing; I 100% concur. I look forward to reading more of his work.

Simple and beautiful

Rick Bass est un écrivain américain exerçant également la profession de géologue. Il est l'auteur d'une vingtaine de livres parmi lesquels on trouve, presque à part égale, des romans et des essais.
Dans Winter, qui est un journal, il raconte son expérience de vie lorsqu'il décide de quitter la ville, en compagnie de sa femme, pour partir habiter à Yaak dans le Montana. Pour le coup, le dépaysement est total, Yaak est un tout petit village dans lequel on trouve uniquement un magasin général et un café. Dans ces contrées, l'hiver est particulièrement rude et Rick Bass, ayant conscience de sa condition de citadin, va s'employer à préparer la venue du terrible hiver.
Si vous aimez la nature, la neige, les longues soirées show more dans les chalets à la regader tomber, les feux de cheminées et surtout, surtout le bois et la corvée de le couper, ce livre est fait pour vous. Si ce n'est pas le cas, passez votre chemin, il n'y a rien à voir ! Pour ma part, j'ai bien aimé ces moments passés avec l'auteur, sa (re)découverte de la nature, ses réflexions sur l'existence. En plus, je viens de lire mon premier livre appartenant à un genre littéraire que je ne connaissais pas, le Nature Writing dont le précurseur n'est autre que Henry David Thoreau. http://www.aubonroman.com/2010/11/winter-par-rick-bass.html show less