A New Kind of Country

Gilman states some important things very plainly and cleanly - she's a great advocate for simplicity and autonomy. The book could be more tightly focused, and I was repulsed by one chapter of total New Age gibberish, but the book makes a short and sweet antidote to consumerism.

Somewhat memoir, about Gilman herself. Also somewhat philosophy, esp. about a woman living alone. It's also a bit about village life in general, and lobstermen in particular.

Beautifully written. I won't say it's 'like' [a:Michael Perry|2772479|Michael Perry|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1231631186p2/2772479.jpg] but I will say I'm experiencing the same kind of joy in, and admiration for, the writing that I do when I read his essays.

Still relevant, 4 decades on, at least to women of a certain age. I know we're making progress, but I was raised, in some ways, much the same as Gilman was... and what a woman does with her life has been less about her identity and more about context, expectations, etc. I hope that our children, show more young people now, both male and female, don't have to struggle so hard to find grace, satisfaction, joy, and accomplishment in their lives.

"[M]y particular problem has been that when I see "Before" and "After" photographs on the beauty pages of a magazine I usually prefer the "Before" photos."

"I hate waste. If I had to define evil, or sin, or wickedness I would point to waste: waste of talent, waste of potential, waste of freedom, women, men, food, and the earth's resources as well. This includes prisons, poverty, alienation, bad education, pollution, and what happens to people when they prefer shadows to sunlight."

Very short. Give it a try. Or, if you've read other lovely memoirs by mature women about their fresh starst on life, or books with similar themes, tell me the titles, please! show less

Good book. When I started it, I was afraid it would be content-free philosophy like A Gift from the Sea, but while there's a lot of philosophical musings here they're nicely anchored in a real-world story of her first year living on ten acres near a small fishing village in Nova Scotia. Quite a few musings on women's place in society, the difference between aloneness and loneliness, and the way modern city/suburb living keeps you disconnected from both nature and your neighbors. Just as much discussion of picking wild berries, hauling seaweed to enrich the ground for her garden, the way the people included her in their friendly nosiness - fun. I love the Mrs. Pollifax stories, and here I see the same kind of vivid description and show more evocation of emotions and events. I suspect I'll reread this a time or two. show less

This was an interesting glimpse into the world view of the author Dorothy Gilman. I enjoyed her musings on slowing down, scaling back, and enjoying a more simple life. Some of this book seems dated - ideas of male and female roles in society have been turned on their head in 2009. Still, there is an appreciation for a woman who dares to explore life outside the traditional confines of women in the 60's and 70's.

An interesting, quick read about how Gilman moved to Nova Scotia in order to be alone, only to realize that she would discover herself there. Very similar in many ways to Anne Lindbergh's Gift from the Sea, and Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love.

I wanted to be her, go to Nova Scotia, find my courage and make a new life for myself.