Pulling Down the Barn: Memories of a Rural Childhood

Pulling Down the Barn eloquently recalls author Anne-Marie Oomen's personal journey as she discovers herself an outsider on her family farm located in western Michigan's Oceana County, in the township of Elbridge--a couple hundred acres in the middle of rural America. Written as a series of heartfelt interlocking narratives, this collection of essays portrays the realities of farm life: haying, picking asparagus and cherries, the machinery of tractors and pickers; but each chapter also touches upon the more ethereal and rarely articulated: the stoic love that permeates a family, the farmer's struggle with identity, and the way land can shape a childhood. With its rich language and style, Pulling Down the Barn engrosses the reader in Oomen's memories--setting beauty and wonder against work and loss--and paints a poignant portrait of growing up in rural Michigan.

Author: Anne-Marie Oomen
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Published: 07/28/2004
Pages: 152
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.48lbs
Size: 9.02h x 6.02w x 0.34d
ISBN: 9780814332337
Award: Michigan Notable Books - Winner

Review Citation(s):
Univ PR Books for Public Libry 01/01/2005 pg. 100 - Recommended/Regional General
Foreword 11/01/2004 pg. 43

About the Author

Anne-Marie Oomen is chair of the Creative Writing Department at Interlochen Art Academy.