Wingfield's World: The Complete Letters from Wingfield Farm

by Dan Needles

Walt Wingfield, the character beloved by thousands in every part of the country, is back with a new and complete book, with a new introduction from the author. Walt Wingfield is a Bay Street stockbroker who quits his job and buys a hundred-acre farm in Persephone Township, Ontario. In a series of letters to the editor of the local newspaper, Walt chronicles his modest successes and spectacular defeats in an age when farming has become difficult for farmers old and new. Dan Needles' rich and charming rural neighbourhood may be difficult to find on a map but it is very close to the Canadian soul. Including a new introduction from Dan Needles, the writer who brought this marvellous world to life 27 years ago, and all your favourite mishaps, triumphs and eccentric neighbours Wingfield's World is the full story of one man's attempt to embrace a less complicated world and how he ends up with more complication and drama, and more love and richness than he could have imagined.

Genres: Humor, Fiction

450 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Judy Francissen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever gone book shopping and not known what genre you wanted to read? I'd just finished a very sad story and needed something light. What I found not only cheered me, but had me laughing out loud and reading snippets to my significant other.
Wingfield's World is one of those rare books that has you rooting for the main character, Walt Wingfield, stockbroker turned farmer.
This hapless hero and all his eclectic friends and neighbours, who reside in Larkspur, Ontario will have you smiling and wanting to know what the next adventure Walt endures.
Dan Needles portrays each character so vividly, it's like going back in time to my childhood memories of growing up in a country village.
Wingfield's World was truly a precious find, not to be traded in or given away. It's the kind of book that you keep and read every time you need a pick me up in today's busy world.
I absolutely loved it!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! A Canadian "Green Acres" (one of my all-time favourite TV sitcoms). The "letters" were written for actor Rod Beatty to perform and his one-man shows are still the best way to appreciate the stories and the wonderful characters but they read well too. Highly recommended.

[Karen Newby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Heather Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful and fun read about a city boy turned farmer. I laughed out loud in many places but also felt sad in spots. It’s a good look at farming in the modern age.

[Mark Agro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, wholesome and FUN. I can only hope that Dan Needles has more Walt Wingfield adventures planned sometime down the (Persephone) road!!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole world of Walt Wingfield is one of my favourites. The characters are so endearing and the stories so relatable having grown up nearby in a manner of speaking.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. All of the letters from Wingfield farm.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed one of the Wingfield plays in person, there was little doubt about the book being even better. I wasn't disappointed. The characters become part of an extended, dysfunctional family and the book feels like home. The mere mention of Willy and Dave send you into fits of laughter, Walt is always the last to know, and Maggie's witty remarks that leave you scrambling for paper to write them down. If you are someone who farms, is involved in municipal politics, or is from small town Ontario- this is the book you need to read.

[JennLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read about a stockbroker turned small-time farmer. Covers seven years of Walt's life as he becomes a part of Persephone Township, marries and has a child. Mostly humourous, but he doesn't sugar coat the troubles and controversial aspects of farming or idealize the experience. B+