Customer Reviews

The Birdhouse Chronicles: Surviving the Joys of Country Life

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In this book Cathleen Miller celebrates her new life in Appalachia, bringing a sense of wonder to the landscape, seasons and citizens of Central Pennsylvania. She is a skilled writer and one is soon lulled into the warm cocoon of this couple's world by Miller's engaging voice-alternately hilarious, poignant, inquisitive, and revealing.

Critics of her memoir seem to have missed a few key points in the narrative. Miller makes herself the butt of her jokes-not her neighbors. She talks about how she doesn't understand them, she finds their traditions unfamiliar, but her essayist's questioning always comes from a place of respectful curiosity, as if examining her own opinions in this new world as much as those of the residents of Centre County. In fact, one look at the opening pages of The Birdhouse Chronicles should say it all, as Miller chooses to honor her neighbors in the dedication: "For the good folks who live on Burd Lane with my gratitude and respect." The reader from Aaronsburg also seems not to have noticed that the author and her husband are donating their time to preserve historic landmarks in her beloved region, thereby providing-along with this great memoir of place-a lasting tribute to rural Pennsylvania.

Even though I live in State College, I first heard about this book from reading a review of it in The Wall Street Journal. The reviewer mentioned how the book slowed down time to emulate the experience of living in the country, and for me that was a welcome gift.

The first 20 pages dragged and sounded a bit snooty...but I really wanted to like this book and said I'd wait to page 50 to decide. As I read on I ended up getting drawn in and curious. At the end I was disapointed on the quick and simple ending. I would have liked more details about what happened to the home and the author. All in all it was a charming book on country life that most of us would love to live!

This book is gorgeously written, funny, self-effacing and poignantly insightful. Ostensibly it's about moving to the country and remodeling a house. But it's really about how we humans try to make lives amidst the swirling, changing facets of nature and humanity. How do we continue on in the face of concerns small and large--from trying to heat our homes in the midst of severe winters, to facing the loss of those we count on and love? Never mawkish or cloying, Miller is an astute, sensitive observer of the human condition.

My mother recommended this book to me - I am not normally a reader of back to the country memoirs - saying that she loved Miller's rich descriptions and her "stealth humor." I was raised in the country and appreciated Miller's perspectives - I'm sure I would turned up my mouth in wry amusement, much as her Pennsylvania neighbors did, watching this city girl trying her darndest to live up to the romantic visions of country life while living in landed poverty. Watching Miller making ends meet by gardening, canning, sewing and existing in the only way she could by doing everything herself the cheapest way, the hardest way, was a sometimes funny, sometimes sad, depiction of reality when our fondest dreams come true. A talented writer, Miller entertained me, too, with her stealth humor. It made me wish for a back-to-the-city sequel.

Cathleen Miller's story of leaving a sophisticated lifestyle in San Francisco, and, with her husband, creating a new life and restoring a 100 year old home in the middle of a Pensylvania corn patch is colorful, charming and sometimes just plain funny. Her ability to bring humor to otherwise horrible situations is a total delight. I couldn't imagine myself living through some of the daily problems she faced. The old fashioned coal heater for one -- even venturing down into the cellar gives me the creeps.

Cathleen's memoir is an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it. Especially for those of us who have considered or thought about giving up city living and moving out to the "simple life" in the country.

Cathleen Miller tells a captivating story about the joys and tribulations of returning back to a country life. Who hasn't dreamed at one time of leaving a current life behind--to go on blind faith to create a new life in a completely different environment. She and her husband had the courage to try her dreams. What started as a career life change to nonfiction writing ended up as a published book that details their unique journey. Sometimes it takes writing, reflection and perspective to appreciate what we have. Although much of the story takes place in Pennsylvania, her native Missouri roots make me think she is Mark Twain reincarnated. I thoroughly recommend this book.

As if taking a step back in time, Cathleen Miller and her husband, Kerby, packed up their belongings and moved from San Francisco's upscale lifestyle into the rural community of Zion, Pennsylvania. Leaving behind the fast and competetive world of advertising, the Millers embarked on a journey that would not only prove to be challenging but life affirming. The transformation of themselves and the "Grandma's house" they purchased moves in the cyclic fashion of the seasons. With each new season, new challenges emerged for them as individuals, as a couple and as newcomers to rural life.

Zion is a tiny rural community near Penn State. The Millers actually live on the outskirts of that community. Their purchase of an old farm house located in the middle of Amish farms and families provides the backdrop for an engaging and enjoyable look about how they came to know and love the simpler ways of life.

The author's comfortable writing style allows her readers to feel as though they are right in the middle of the action. She describes tireless hours spent refurbishing the old country home, planting gardens, learning to can the produce from their gardens, and appreciating life's goodness in new ways. The book also brings a sense of familiarity with the Amish neighbors and their unique approaches to life.

Miller introduces us to the trials of learning to live in a home that is not filled with modern conveniences. Early in the book, she relates the story of her quest to learn how to start a fire in the old coal furnace and keep it going. Her readers are transported to a time and place that many have never experienced, and others have forgotten.

The author's passion for nature, her frankness about the rigors of her first months in Zion, and the refreshing style with which she meets her challenges make this a most enjoyable reading experience. She brings to light the unique lifestyle of the Amish from the perspective of a neighbor rather than a true outsider or tourist.

In a day and age when many strive to "have more," this book allows us to observe the meaning of having more of what is truly important--more time to spend nurturing home and relationships, more appreciation of nature's gifts to mankind, more respect for other beliefs and lifestyles, more sense of community, and concern for other members of that community.

For anyone who loves a good "back to the country" tale and for anyone who knows the beauty of the Amish country of Pennsylvania and perhaps longs to be in the midst of it once again as this reviewer does, The Birdhouse Chronicles is a book to be savored.

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

If you enjoy superb writing and a spellbinding story of everyday life, "Chronicles" is for you. Small, sad events, like the pillaging of a nest of baby rabbits by a rapacious mink, are beautifully told and indelibly registered. A behind the scenes look at the Amish, who maintain their culture by using modern tractors only at night when others cannot see, is a tart contrast to two city folk trying to make it in the wilds of rural Pennsylvania. Big, joyous events, like "Pestofest" a luminous party for friends to enjoy the end-of-summer basil harvest to the fullest, are described in loving detail.

This is a wonderful book that will remain in your mind long after you have read it.

It's rare that I purposely slow myself down while reading a book, but Cathleen Miller's words deserve to be savored. Her vignettes are fascinating, but the way that they are rendered--with the written equivalent of full-color, 3-D images--is what sets it apart from just another great story.

In The Birdhouse Chronicles Cathleen Miller made me both laugh and cry. She's from Missouri and her wry humor reminds me of a female Mark Twain. But underneath the laughs is a serious story--that of a disappearing America, a nation of agrarian families and authentic rural landscapes. At least both will always live on in this book, which is a love letter to the Pennsylvania countryside. I savored every page, and recommend it highly.