Seven Summers: A Naturalist Homesteads in the Modern West

by Julia B. Corbett

Seven Summers is the story of a naturalist-turned-professor who flees city life each summer with her pets and power tools to pursue her lifelong dream—building a cabin in the Wyoming woods. With little money and even less experience, she learns that creating a sanctuary on her mountain meadow requires ample doses of faith, patience, and luck. This mighty task also involves a gradual and sometimes painful acquisition of flexibility and humility in the midst of great determination and naive enthusiasm. For Corbett, homesteading is not about wresting a living from the land, but respecting and immersing herself in it—observing owls and cranes, witnessing seasons and cycles, and learning the rhythms of wind and weather in her woods and meadow. The process changes her in unexpected ways, just as it did for women homesteaders more than a century ago. The more she works with wood, the more she understands the importance of “going with the grain” in wood as well as in life. She must learn to let go, to move through loss and grief, to trust her voice, and to balance independence and dependence. Corbett also gains a better understanding of her fellow Wyomingites, a mix of ranchers, builders, gas workers, and developers, who share a love of place but often hold decidedly different values. This beautifully written memoir will appeal to readers who appreciate stories of the western landscape, independent women, or the appreciation of the natural world.

Genres: Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

Reviews

[Catherine Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Summers is one of those special books set in the modern American West. It is so thoroughly of its place that one could believe that it wouldn't have relevance for those living in other areas of the country. Corbett's quite, eloquent writing prove that assumption wrong. Don't think of this title as a "Utah book" or, more aptly, a "Wyoming book." Instead think of it in the same vein as Sand County Almanac or, one of my old favorites, Fire Season.

While Corbett's stories of her relationships with her friends and her father are wonderful, particularly in the framework of building her cabin, I think her writing really shines when she explores the landscape right outside her door. Her naturalist and communications background combine to provide knowledgeable, passionate prose about the plants and animals that surround her growing home near the Wind Rivers Range in Wyoming.

The other relationships Corbett explores in her book are also fascinating: those with her Wyoming neighbors. Perhaps her roots in the rural Midwest help her see things a bit differently. I am struck by her unflagging environmentalism that is accompanied by an understanding of and concern for the year round rural inhabitants of the area she calls home for part of the year.

Seven Summers was an enjoyable and compelling book to read. Those who enjoy books about the West, naturalists, and those who aspire to Thoreau's ideal of walking will enjoy this title.

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Although the chapters were somewhat confusing as to what order the events happened. It would have flowed a bit better had it been written more chronologically, but still a WONDERFUL read.

I loved her closeness to nature and Tobie and Kaya. I really felt like I was part of the story. Her descriptions of animal encounters were fascinating and beautiful. I love her passion about the environment (oops! I said an "e" word) and I loved the stories about all of her crazy mishaps while building the cabin. I also enjoyed the tidbits of history of women homesteaders.

I look forward to the day I can attempt even a bit of what she has done.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Reading makes you want to go and live in the woods, but on the other hand, you realize how much work it is to go and live (and build a cabin) in the woods!

[Linda Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about her experience building a cabin in the Wind River Mountains. She describes how she came to acquire the land and build the cabin. This is the story of a modern woman who homesteads the west, whose trials and triumphs parallels the homesteading women during America's west ward expansion in the 19th century. She weaves in personal experiences from childhood through adulthood, reflecting on the meaning and lessons she gained in life. She touches on many personal struggles: being a single woman, relationship difficulties with men, conflicts with family members, environmental issues, and loss of loved ones. Building the cabin was the vehicle that lead her to healing and peace.

The message that I got from reading Seven Summers is that one must find a way to live such that our spirit is nourished and renewed. For Corbett, it is being able to escape to her cabin in the woods each summer.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This autobiography tells the story of the seven summers it took a University of Utah professor to build a log cabin in Wyoming and the lessons she learned about herself and life along the way.

[Marcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was for book club, and I just couldn't finish it, even though I was 2/3 done. The author's tone alternated between self-congratulatory and whiny. I couldn't figure out exactly what moved her to write. It's possible I'm missing something. Maybe I'll pick it up some other time.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely written book. Each time I picked it up I felt like I was reading a dear friend's journal. Not only do you read about her adventure building a cabin, but also her journey with her relationship with her family, with the environment around her, and herself. A really great read.

[Gingergerlach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

[Alisha]

Recommended by Catherine Weller