A transcendent memoir from an author of rare talent, Laura Bell's Claiming Ground recounts Bell's time living mostly alone in the hills of Wyoming, where she herded sheep and cattle and battled isolation. A journey to the heart of self, Bell's work sparkles with shimmering prose and remarkable insight. "Bell's extraordinary ability to impart a true sense of place on each page reveals a stark and stunning landscape populated with a playbill of peculiar personalities."-Publishers Weekly, starred review
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"First-rate prose about life as a female shepherd in Wyoming. Although it requires patience to read, this is a brilliant examination of the harshness (and beauty) of life, with just enough spirituality to keep the reader from being overwhelmed by its bitter truth. " — Alex (5 out of 5 stars)
"First-rate prose about life as a female shepherd in Wyoming. Although it requires patience to read, this is a brilliant examination of the harshness (and beauty) of life, with just enough spirituality to keep the reader from being overwhelmed by its bitter truth. "
“Bell’s extraordinary ability to impart a true sense of place on each page reveals a stark and stunning landscape populated with a playbill of peculiar personalities.”
" Nearly a five. Honest, beautiful memoir. "
" So far pretty good. A new Ivan Doig style writerBeautifully written. Just didn't tie up well at the eb\nd. "
" I loved this book. Amazing scenery, eccentric characters, life, love, death, and joy all rolled into one. Have a box of tissues handy. "
" Great book and an easy read. "
" Love it! Very much admire her courage, going off all alone. "
" This was more , I thought a series of essays on her life, than a real memoir. It was interesting to read about places I knew though. "
" Beautifully written. Very sad toward the end and I cried. "
" Spare but somehow effusive prose. Not your typical Western memoir or woman's story. This will resonant with me for a long time. "
Laura Bell’s work has been published in several collections, and from the Wyoming Arts Council she has received two literature fellowships, as well as the Neltje Blanchan Memorial Award and the Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award. She lives in Cody, Wyoming, and since 2000 has worked there for the Nature Conservancy.
Laurie Birmingham is an experienced stage actress. She has appeared in many theaters around the country, and has recently returned to the Milwaukee Rep. Laurie lives with her rescue dog, Odi, in Milwaukee.
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