Laying Foundations, A Memoir: A Year Building a Life While Rebuilding a Farmhouse

by Lucy Wilson Sherman

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 097428551X
• ISBN13: 9780974285511
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Madison Press
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

warning: This Is An Exception

Sherman's memoir is love-story, spiritual odyssey, character study and a how-to manual. That's a lot and it reads like a mystery. She is a wonderful word crafter. Many times her turn of phrase engaged me so thoroughly that I had to stop and savor her arrangement.In the character study, Sherman never shies away from critiquing herself or Henderson. She is relentless in her analysis of herself, Henderson and the dynamics of their relationship. The reader gets drawn into her quest for understanding and growth. She plows, or more accurately, crafts right ahead whether she comes out looking worse for the scrutiny or not.A warning is in order here.You will learn a lot about construction. If you have no knowledge in that arena, you will not be lost, as Sherman defines most of the terms in useable language. Still I had to stop and think hard about the technical parts of this book. I wanted to understand exactly what they were doing physically, as it was such an integral part of the dynamic and narrative. Taking time to understand each step in their physical construction enriched the read for me. However, the reader can speed read through placement of footings, digging wells or securing scaffolding and still enjoy the other three aspects of this piece. Sherman uses straight-on prose with no hysterics although parts are hysterically funny, as when she is describing her attempts to connect the contents of a sawed-off shotgun with the target, an old wash tub. She even has the decency to feel bad about killing squirrels.I read many books every week with no 'fluff' included and I consider this one not to be missed. I will re-read it again in about six months.

a gripping read chock-full of insight

Laying Foundations is an honest, funny memoir. It is not only entertaining, but Sherman is so straight forward and open about her own humanity that as a reader I felt a kind of personal absolution for my own sins! She and her husband take on an enormous renovation project with little expertise. As a reader I couldn't help but be inspired and moved at their ability to get up, go on and continue to tackle the job when it seemed hopeless and foreboding. Anyone who reads this will eat it up like some delicious candy. It's a soul-searching, meaningful memoir rich with lasting insight yet funny as hell!

A novel approach to non-fiction

Although I know it's a trite thing to say, I'll say it anyway---I could not put this book down until I finished it! This is an extraordinary work of non-fiction that holds the reader's attention by incorporating all the elements of a really good novel---terrific character development, vivid descriptions of the people in the story as well as the area in which they live, even suspense (will these two "unmatched" souls manage to stay together and will they be able to complete their dream and finish the restoration of the house?) The reader really does share their frustrations and mentally cheers them on when they have set-backs in the reconstruction of the house as well as in their lives. The only question the reader is left with is---when do we get a sequel and see these two wonderful people again?

Fun and edifying

Intelligent and moving, here is a memoir that gives an unsentimental description of a single, singular, relationship--between a smart, educated white woman and an intellectually limited, undeducated black man--and through it, teaches important things, not only about race, but about the core values that make us human. Touching and uplifting, and a great, well-crafted read, it will be enjoyed as an engaging story as well as a source of illumination.

BUY THIS BOOK!!

This book is inspirational! You will want it in your library. It is for anyone who has doubts about accomplishing a goal or is questioning his or her personal growth. It is about taking risks and being triumphant. The transformation this couple makes to the landscape and their souls, after a year of building a house in the country, is poignant. You will want to know Henderson and Lucy. The symbolsim is right there. Your English teacher will not have to spell it out for you! You will laugh and cry. TAKE YOUR BLINDERS OFF AND JUST READ IT!