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Friday, September 28, 2018

Hundred Miles to Nowhere


 

Author/singer Elisa Korenne   tells a wonderful story in her memoir Hundred Miles To Nowhere. It’s the story of the New York City girl who meets a small town Minnesota guy. Being of the later type, I was naturally enthralled.  Elisa gets accepted to an artist residency in New York Mills, MN, and sees it as an opportunity to broaden her songwriting horizons. Looking for true to life Minnesota (fly over country Hicksville) experiences she starts by scheduling a wilderness canoe camping trip with  a local outdoorsy insurance man.  The fun part,   reading about their romance, is the contrasts of their two very different  worlds, how their relationship developed and was challenged by such different communities.

After her one month residency was up Elisa and Chris carried on with a mutual  cross-country romance and finally it was  Elisa who gave up subways, theater, City Bakery cookies, and her Brooklyn apartment to become the 1,153rd resident of New York Mills, a rural town ninety miles from the nearest metropolitan area, Fargo, North Dakota.  A few highlight/lowlights were the gossips who knew her weekend plans before she did. The postmaster who set up gigs for her behind her back. Chris expected her to eat roadkill for dinner. The the uproar when the Finnish Lutherans in town learned she was Jewish.  And the furnace dying at twenty-six below.  Regardless, Elisa moved to Minnesota and married Chris anyway.

I loved this book. It’s insightful, funny and draws you right into the predicament of being a transplant in different world.   My own experience growing up in the Twin Cities and spending my adult working life in rural Minnesota was not quite as dramatic but still I could relate. The old and new blend into  an evolving you.  Unafraid  you can meet the challenges and I believe see both the past and present circumstance of you, your life and surroundings much more clearly… I highly recommend this book…..
 

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@Barrie Summy

14 comments:

Red said...

I'm sure that there could be many biographies from the opposite. ...country girl goes to the big city! sounds like a good read.

Valerie said...

Another 'must read'. I am almost half way through and enjoying another of your recommendations.... The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.

Out on the prairie said...

Sounds fun for light and airy. I have been on a Koontz jag and need a bit of change maybe

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

That does sounds like a good read and a story where many can relate.

Barrie said...

This memoir sounds fun! I come from the largest city in Canada and ended up marrying a country boy (although we live in a city). There have been some interesting moments! :) Thank you for reviewing!

Dee said...

Dear Troutbirder, thanks for recommending this memoir. My moving from Minnesota to Missouri was not the overwhelming move that the memoir writer experienced, but politically it has been very hard. So I hope to get this book and read it. Peace.

Arkansas Patti said...

You had me at wilderness canoe camping trip and almost lost me at eating road kill but brought me back with the humor. Thanks for the review, I will try to find it.

DJan said...

I looked on my library website and they don't have it. Hopefully I'll find it somewhere. :-(

Powell River Books said...

The theme reminds me of "Fishing with John." New Yorker contributor Edith Iglauer was sent to BC to write about the fishing industry. She met John Daly, got her fishing story and fell in love. Like Elisa she made the move from the big city to a small town. After John passed, she married a local Frank White, the father of Harbour Publishing publisher Howard White. - Margy

Far Side of Fifty said...

New York Mills in a small little town! I bet it was a fun read...and if it is a Lutheran Town...either they are Catholic or Lutheran up here...I am certain a Jewish Gal would be the talk of the whole town.:)

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"I loved this book. It’s insightful, funny and draws you right into the predicament of being a transplant in different world."

I can't think of a better recommendation. I'll have to add it to my list.

Cynthia said...

I love memoirs and I love Minnesota. I think I'll try to find this one! Thanks.

Vicki said...

I can see why you liked this book, TB. It looks like a good read!

Sarah Laurence said...

Sounds fun and familiar as a Jew from NYC who now lives in small town Maine with my husband. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation! Sorry to be late to visit - I was off in the mountains and then had back to back houseguests.