Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 A Rainy Day Read August 14, 2008
You have to admire their spirits but wonder about the ways they chose to interact with wildlife. Feeding animals so you can get close to them is really going against the point of being one with nature. In the end, it could lead to the animal's demise. Don't really get that - but like that they were honest about what it really takes to have "A Place in the Woods".
 My reviews November 29, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Excellent book. Would recomend any of her books to everyone. It was one of those books I didn't want to end.
 Unique story that holds up well September 11, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Helen Hoover is one of those rare people (apparently) who is gifted on both sides of the brain. She was a very successful scientist in Chicago in an era when women scientists were few and far between. Tired of city life and realizing she and her husband had a now or never shot at a new life in the north woods, they took the plunge and basically burned all their bridges, spent their nest egg, and bought a cabin in Minnesota. This is the story of the winter, of the wilderness people, of their animal and human friends, and their struggle. Mostly, in fact it is about their struggle to adapt, and is a revelation of their character and commitment as they deal with one obstacle after another, each one by itself difficult enough to precipitate an honorable surrender, as most people expected would happen. Instead of surrendering they thrived, however, and this is the story of their first year in the woods. It is not laugh out loud funny, and is as much a story of home repairs, on the surface, as anything, but all the small details, patched together, tell a story that is worth hearing. I feel like a heel being the first reviewer not to give it 5 stars, but 5 stars means a classic to me. I couldn't put it in the classic category, but I couldn't put it down, either.
Simple pleasure August 19, 2006
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
A place in the woods lets you get a sense of spending time in the deep woods of the north. Well written story about getting away from it all to spend life in a simple place with few material things but rich with nature and its pleasures. A story of persistance and self reliance rare in today's world. I enjoyed this years ago and enjoyed it just as much here 30 years or so later. Find a quiet place, read and be taken away form your own problems.
Envious of their Simplicity May 10, 2006
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I picked this book up off of my parents shelf when looking for something to read - how refreshing! Helen and Ade's struggles to make it outside of the material world are an inspiration to me. Being someone who always wanted to move "off the grid" and live off the land, it's neat to know it can be done. I have not taken that step as of yet, but it's always tempting, cannot wait to read her other books. If you're looking for a refreshing read that is a basic down to earth true story, this is one for you.
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