The Farm She Was

by Ann Mohin

A New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
A Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection.

A story of love and loss, and the evolution of farm life as the 20th century unfolded, narrated by a feisty farm woman as she reflects on her life.

Genres: Fiction, Novels

Hardcover

First published March 25, 1998

Reviews

[Cathy Maxam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about life and death, about survival and aging. A 90 year old woman reviews her life in her memory and in her memoirs. Her love of the farm, her strength in solitude, her common-place views and her sense of the magic and mystery of living and dying pervade the book. Irene Leahy was the last of her family. She never married or had children to whom she could pass on the wealth of her past, but her life was rich, and the ending of this book fully satisfies the reader's need to preserve past generations for the future.

The author weaves gracefully between the present and the past. Each day is laced with Irene's determination at the age of 90 to stay on her farm and not end her days in a retirement home. While savoring her present moments, she fills her writing journals with memories from her past. The writing is artfully done and rewarding to read.

The Farm She Was is a good book to start the year. It leaves me wanting to cultivate my love of every small detail of life and nature, to savor and cherish the small things.

[Maudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did learn something from this book, that life COULD be simple. Life COULD only need friends, family, and sweet memories of the ones you loved.

The book tells a story on an old single woman, flashing back to her childhood, and returning back to her current days, in which no one can't say that it's not happy.. She's in this friendship with a woman who is taking care of her as her volunteer social work and a good-hearted doctor. This book has such energy that makes you feel good while reading it. It's simple and heart-warming.. I think, the only significant antagonist would be her own childhood and her new nanny (which to me it's nothing compared to Harry Potter's childhood and his nemesis that Malfoy boy).

Why 3 out of 5? simply because it's not my kind of book. But once it's translated into Bahasa, I think I'm gonna buy my mom one.. She's definitely will love it.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little gem of a book. It’s about the beauty and mysteries of the natural world and self-sustainability wrapped inside of a seemingly prosaic tale of a dying woman, which adds to its complexity. It’s about family, relationships, and the fight of small farmers against real estate development and the encroachment on nature (back in 1998). The writer artfully weaves in other side plots, including abuse, alcoholism, absence, the inevitability of change, in a simple yet poetic writing style.
The story takes place in a small farm in upstate New York, but it could be anywhere. The protagonist tells of her hard — and often solitary — life through reminiscences of the past with no regrets. It’s a nostalgic but unsentimental tale. In Irene, or Reeni, as her family called her, Sue Mohin has created a strong, practical female character who you’ll remember for a long time. “In the end, the solitary life that started do early fit me like a warm wool mitten. Loneliness has been as foreign to me as Chinese food,” Irene says in the book. The last third of the book to the end — wow!

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Farm She Was is a poignant novel by Ann Mohin about a sheep farm in upstate New York beginning at the turn of the century with the birth of Irene Leahy. This resonated with me since my own grandmother was also born in 1900 on a farm, albeit in Ohio. This story is being told by 90-year-old Miss Leahy who has passionately tended these acres with her parents her entire life and still lives in the 1845 farmhouse she was born in. Nearing the end of her life, she reflects back on the meaningful relationships and events she experienced in the country over the many years of the 20th century. Her connection to animals, nature, and rural life harkens back to a life non-existent for most of us now.

The writing is exquisite and the figures of speech are perfection! This is not a book to speed-read; one needs to read slowly and savor every word. At least that is what I needed to do! Anyone acquainted with a farm or having some connection or history with a farm should enjoy this novel.

The author herself, Ann Mohin, lives in an 1845 farmhouse in upstate New York and raises sheep with her husband so she knows her subject matter. She also writes poetry which explains, I think, why this novel of hers is so evocative and beautiful.

It probably won't be at your library. I picked up my copy somewhere long forgotten years ago because of the title, jacket blurb, and cover art. You could find fairly inexpensive copies on Ebay should you be interested.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story started off a little slow but once I got truly into it, I really appreciated its beauty. The love this woman has for her farm and the memories she shares so vividly are everything I miss and love about living in the country. It was an emotional journey reading it as it also addressed the feelings of a woman who knows she is nearing the end of her life and who is often frustrated with the differences in her body and the ability to do what she once did so freely. It made me think of my Mamaw and what it must have been like for her to have lost so much of who she was in her later years.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will probably not make it onto any bestseller list because the subject matter will not pique the interest of today's reader, but the writing is so solidly excellent. It's a thoughtful book as we listen in on the reflections and memories of a 91-year old woman at the end of her life. Interesting to see what floats to the surface of her thoughts and how she handles her final affairs. The ending brought a tear.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly I was underwhelmed by this book! It was well written, and many parts of it were quite compelling, but I felt that the characters were under-developed and unconvincing. It felt like the author was dropping hints for various plot points that never panned out, which meant an unsatisfying ending. I never felt quite attached enough to the protagonist to be invested in the story.

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8* a very satisfactory read. About sustainability which was norm in the old days. About a strong woman who is happy with who she is and the natural life around her.

[Susan Rone · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone with a deep appreciation of land and nature in general, one of my all-time favorite books.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, thoughtful.

[Goshen Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

90 year old, spinster, sheep farmer in upstate NY looks back on her life. - recommended by Ann

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

[Gilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

note to self. Be prepared, be grateful, breath deeply often, stay calm and every waking day journal and enjoy living 🙂

[Mary Montori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read. The information in the book is revelatory and sympathetic. It is the telling, though, that makes it so memorable. Mohin's writing is precise and imaginative.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irene "Reenie" Leahy is 90 years old. She still lives on the 85 acre farm where she was born. She knows her time is short but she wants to die at home, not at Pine Manor, where Esther thinks she should go. Esther is the caregiver from the agency that comes daily.
What a life she lived on this farm! Her mother raised sheep. Spun the wool, made their clothes. She had a garden, too, that was her domain alone. The farm was self-sustainable and Reenie and her parents had a good life. Uncle Alton, daddy's brother, was no favorite of mom's but she tolerated him.
It is a lovely story of days gone by. Folks worked hard from morning till night but love of family was strong and the laughter was plentiful.
Reenie has an older brother, Billy, buried up on the hill who died as a little boy. Her father teaches her many things he would have taught his son. The dialogue between Reenie and her dad is special and sweet.
Reenie never marries but she does have the memory of the love of a lifetime in her heart.
Like I said, it's a beautiful story. It's been a long time since I read a book in one sitting, but I did this one.

[Minay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving story of a strong woman growing up in rural New York. Tells of trials and also how she prevailed in living life to her own satisfaction. Interesting look at how different choices, really roads less taken, can work out. You will love her, admire her strength, and wish you had her spunk and determination. History period is early 20th century and there is a lot about farming and how to handle progress.

[K D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, a rpeal gem, especially since it takes place in central NY.

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to be savored, full of rural truths and observations. Her language is rich, her imagery vivid and real. I loved every minute of it.