Farmer

Owner of a small farm in upper Michigan in the mid-1950s, Joey Lundgren, forty-three, is an unsettled soul. He’s been teaching at a very small school for twenty years which is now closing, his mother has finally passed away, his relationship with his long-time girlfriend Rosealee is stagnated, and he has become intimately involved with a very striking student. Joey is used to hardship. The farm, since his father started it five decades before, has never been more than marginally successful. His four sisters left at the earliest opportunity, leaving him to assist his parents. In addition, Joey has had to deal with a leg mangled in a piece of farm machinery when he was only eight years old, which has made him a pretty resilient guy.Joey has always been a curious and reflective sort. He longs to experience the ocean and its occupants. Lately, his enthusiasm for life around the farm has waned: hunting and fishing are less enjoyable. Catherine, the student, is a spark in his life, though he is fully aware of the delicate nature of this engagement. He is rough around the edges, but is likeable, engaging in far ranging discussions with the town doctor. Even the girl’s father is more understandable than confrontational with Joey. It is interesting to go on the journey with Joey as he looks at the past, takes stock of the present, and tries to figure out where he is headed. One gets the sense that he has the basic strength and smarts to work out his current difficulties and dissatisfactions.

If you're female, don't bother with this book. It'll just make you mad. If you're a guy, this is a great look into a guy struggling with urges and habits we all struggle with and doing a mediocre job of it, as most of us do. Yet Joseph is likeable and worth spending time with. He takes major risks without much thought to consequences, but he has some lucky breaks. Men around him are blunt and forgiving and recognize the differences between men and women. Women are tenacious and durable and, overall, forgiving. I've read this twice and liked it better the second time--but I wanted to read it a second time, so it was that appealing. It's not the epic, soul-wringing story of "Legends of the Fall," but it's starkly honest and does a great job of illuminating the challenges of being a man. Definitely worth a read.

Jim Harrison is a fine writer, I found this a bit hard to get through. It didn't pique my interest. It could have been when I read it, but it just didn't do it for me. It is a stark book. He is a middle aged man and farmer, he's having an emotionless affair with an 18 year old student from the school he taught at which has closed down. The affair fulfills what another woman he is having an affair with can not fulfill. His mother has just died, he seems to resent that he spent his younger years taking care of things and not his own wants. The writing is beautiful, I just couldn't muster up the care to like the story.

Harrison is one of my all time favorite authors. His prose is soft spoken and familiar, the way a great uncle recounts a story to his nephew departing for college. The book is so simple and so true that there are never any surprises. If looking for an fast paced book that keeps you on the edge of the seat this isn't the book for you. But if you're looking for prose that is masterfully crafted and characters that are real people conveying real emotion than grab this little book and enjoy yourself.

I'm a big Jim Harrison fan but somehow missed FARMER along the way. I was glad to be reminded of it and, I believe, have now read all of the novels (and the cookbook). FARMER'S retiring and ordinary school teacher gets himself into some interesting jams. Harrison always seems to be in control of his story and his prose, and, of course, I like the sensual tints that usually show up in his books. I put it on the shelf beside LEGENDS OF THE FALL.

Enjoy some great writing. Noneed for 16 more words, or 10 more words, or 6 more words, or two more.

This author is great. I read Brown Dog first and couldn't put it down. Farmer was written equally as well, but not as full of surprises as Brown Dog. The book arrived on time--very pleased!

This is a slow and somewhat tedious read. Nothing is ultimately resolved; nothing much happens. Feels unfinished. Lacks conviction or climax.

I am likely not a very objective reviewer as I enjoy reading anything Jim Harrison writes. The subject of the book is unsettling but well written.