River of Traps: A Village Life

by William deBuys, Alex Harris

New Mexicoâ s Sangre de Cristo mountains are a place where two cultures - Hispanic and Anglo - meet. They're also the place where three men William deBuys, a young writer; Alex Harris, a young photographer; and Jacobo Romero, an old farmer. When Harris and deBuys move to New Mexico in the 1970s, Romero is the neighbor who befriends them and becomes their teacher. With the tools of simple labor - shovel and axe, irony and humor - he shows them how to survive, even flourish, in their isolated village. A remarkable look at modern life in the mountains, River of Traps also magically evokes the now-vanished world in which Romero tended flocks on frontier ranges and absorbed the values of a society untouched by cash or Anglo America. His memories and wisdom, shared without sentimentality, permeate this absorbing story of three men and the place that forever shaped their lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Journal, History

238 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

William deBuys is the author of seven books, including River of Traps: A New Mexico Mountain Life, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in general non-fiction in 1991; Enchantment and Exploitation: The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Mountain Range; The Walk (an excerpt of which won a Pushcart Prize in 2008), and Salt Dreams: Land and Water in Low-Down California. An active conservationist, deBuys has helped protect more than 150,000 acres in New Mexico, Arizona, and North Carolina. He lives and writes on a small farm in northern New Mexico.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

a charming book about small people, small places and the wonder and beauty of a life lived simply. written by my amazing professor and friend.

[Joseph Gendron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a New Mexico classic and I can see why it is a New York Times Notable book. It is 23 years since it was published; I am glad I discovered it now and will continue to explore DeBuys' books. I loved the innocence and freshness expressed by the characters from two very different cultures as they came into relationship as neighbors along a stream, near a village, below the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. I previously read deBuys' "Enchantment and Exploitation" so it was nice to return to a northern NM setting with this book. The stories of the early and current settlers offers fascinating insights into people and village life. It makes me appreciate my village more too.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written memoir of life in a small village in New Mexico. Narrated by an "outsider" who became friends with one of the village elders. A lovely portrait of an ordinary man whose ordinary life was really anything but.

[River James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding book! New Mexico is truly a unique land with deep culture and history. I have read quite a few books about the area both while living there and the 20 years since and this is one of the best. The other I would strongly recommend is To Possess the Land: A Biography Of Arthur Rochford Manby. I spent a year living in the Cerrillos/Madrid area and it had a profound and deep impact that has kept me fascinated with the land of enchantment. As an example of the insular tendencies of the people in northern New Mexico, I can relate first hand being shot at for rafting parts of the Rio Grande as well as seeing the river access points set on fire in order to convey the appreciation the locals had for those of us visiting. That was 1995 but I would still be very thoughtful of where I park my car with out of state plates. Just saying. Much respect to both the Native people and the Spanish descendants. This book will give the reader some historical context for local distrust of outsiders.

[James T. Surguine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful picture of a world that's almost gone now

Life and friendship in an old Hispanic farming village is the frame in this excellent piece of creative nonfiction. It connects the reader to a passing way of life for the Spanish settlers who came to el Norte long before it was New Mexico.

[Tomek · Rating 4 out of 5]

DeBuy's stories and Harris's photos weave an intimate, profound portrait of a world that is rapidly disappearing, if it is not already relegated to history. Sometimes a bit disjointed, but always delightful, the stories are full of roughness, grace, insight, and a sparkle of humor that I feel well reflects the mountain life and the people who live it.

[Toni Getz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired me to read more by these artists

Well written story about a man from northern New Mexico, a village in northern New Mexico and the writer and photographer who tell the story without forced sentiment.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who is beginning to feel a sparkle of interest in northern New Mexico, I highly recommend this work. A portrait of a high mountain village life unlike anything in contemporary America. I laughed at many occasions hearing Jacobo's witty straight wisdom

[Julie Kortum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and informative about change.

[Allen Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, memoir on place, time, and neighbors.

[David Dickason · Rating 5 out of 5]

good prose, great photos

[Sophia Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. I visited this area shortly after I read this book.

[Dende · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a memoir, beautiful written, that contains reflections and lessons on life, through the story of the author's neighbor Jacobo. God rest his soul.

[Dacy Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacobo Romero lived a fascinating life among the northern New Mexico mountains, I enjoyed learning about his character and the descriptions of an outdoor life.

[David Iverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegaic tribute to a way of life in a small village in northern New mexico and a special man who taught them the value of hard work and friendship.

[Debra Lumbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful tribute to a village and man in Northern New Mexico. Collaboration between the author and a photographer who took many excellent black and white photos of Jacobo.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The place that holds the Trampas river is such a fascinating place. I've passed through there, it speaks to me. William De Buys as worked intimately with the people of that place and its land. De Buys language fits the quality and character of that place. River Of Traps has a strong lyrical quality that is worth being a part of even if only from an armchair.

[Alice Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful New Mexico book.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful depiction of life in rural New Mexico. I particularly enjoyed the description of Jacobo's role as the Democratic chairman and his way of teaching.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful writing, powerful photographs.