The narrative follows a brave worm on a rescue adventure, blending visual artistry with poetry in a thematic collection. Renowned illustrator James Kochalka's drawings are paired with Sydney Lea's expert verses, creating an engaging ekphrastic epic. This unique work promises to captivate readers of all ages with its blend of humor, tension, and vivid imagery, showcasing the worm's courageous journey.
Set in the rugged northern Maine wilderness, the story explores the unlikely friendship between George Mayes, an Ivy League graduate and recovering alcoholic, and Evan Butcher, a semi-literate woodsman. As George transforms his life from a drunken college student to a successful school bus driver, he gains profound respect for Evan, who faces his own struggles with alcohol following family tragedies. This poignant narrative delves into themes of redemption, second chances, and the complexities of friendship amidst life's challenges.
Exploring themes of reflection and legacy, Sydney Lea's collection delves into the joys and challenges of a long life, celebrating enduring love, family, and the beauty of northern New England. Through poignant recollections, such as revisiting old photographs, Lea grapples with the passage of time and the quest for meaning in his later years. He acknowledges the fleeting nature of life while cherishing the sweetness found in simple moments. This retrospective invites readers to appreciate the richness of experience, even as autumn approaches.
The former poet laureate of Vermont offers a stunning portrait of life up north. A North Country Life is the story of author Sydney Lea’s powerful connection to his family, friends, and the northern outdoors. Loosely organized by the changing of seasons, different sections feature essays on such topics as childhood family fishing trips in the wilds of Maine, trophy fly-fishing the northern reaches of the Connecticut River, the opening day of turkey hunting season in Vermont, and getting lost in the deep woods while deer hunting. The essays are introspective and dramatic illustrations of the blending of the human and natural worlds; emotion is attached to both spheres and adds texture to the sketches. Readers of varied interests will be drawn to the sincerity of the author’s voice. A notable writer and poet, Lea’s lyrical writing preserves a picture of people and places from the past with vivid scenes recalling former times and contrasting them with modern life. Thoughtful portraits of New England elders and the author’s friends bring to life the outdoors as seen through many different eyes, inspiring readers to take a new look at the world around them. With the author’s knack for descriptive language, this compelling read will strike a chord with anyone interested in the contemplative side of nature—which, in truth, is most of us.