Customer Reviews

Tales from the Edge of the Woods

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I first became acquainted with the work of essayist Willem Lange through his appearances on the Vermont Public Television program "RFD," which normally ends its weekly broadcast with a piece by this wordsmith. The essays in this charming little book are culled from other writings and are perfect examples of Mr. Lange's style. With a minimum of very well chosen words, Mr. Lange paints a detailed picture of people, places, and events and wraps us in his love for all. There are some very heart-felt expressions here: A Letter to a newborn grandchild; A sudden understanding of his wife's life-long torment; An appreciation of past leadership provided by a mentor. In all, there are 18 tiny gems here, none longer than four pages, but the scope of their sentiment is unending. This is a book to treasure and read over and over again. If only it were longer.

Mr. Lange's stories of life in New England awake memories of the reader's own experiences that transcend any geographical boundaries. In this collection of essays, Willem Lange celebrates the experiences of everyday life in New England with humor and honesty that connects with readers in every corner of the land.

This thin book delivers powerful images of how New England was and strives to remain. Short essays cover typical events and personalities, most often humorous, always interesting. A great way to discover why we think there's no other place to live.

This book contains one of the all time greatest Christmas stories--Favor Johnson. Reading this story is a family tradition in our home. For this alone you should buy this book. We first came into contact with Willem Lange listening to him read his stories on Vermont Public Radio back in the 1990s and have been hooked ever since.

Lange is O. Henry-esque in his descriptions of people and scenes with a hint of Robert Frost's New England accent. The slim collection of memories, a mere 86 pages, takes the reader to Lange's first day at a New England boarding school, then to a frigid wood's cabin that he shares with a mouse, and back through memories as he refinishes a canoe.
I never heard him read these on the radio, but they are ideal for reading aloud. Each story contains a heart-warming feeling. Travel with Lange to the woods as he takes a final hunting trip with an old man or explores a long-abandoned home site.
It left me wishing for more of these contemplative word pictures of the New England woods.

Mr. Lange has a way of pulling you into a story.You can smell it,feel the chill of the air,and the sound of his old truck leaving the driveway. There's a lot of wisdom in those bones.

Dad, Loved the book. So did all my friends down here in Texas. Someday, Olivia will love her chapter - when she learns to read! Can't wait for the next book to hear more "letters from home." Congrats, Bros