Letters From Side Lake: A Chronicle of Life in the North Woods

by Peter M. Leschak

Book by Leschak, Peter M.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

If 3.5 stars were an option, I'd use it. I definitely enjoyed the imagery and the relatability of this book. It absolutely made me want to go to visit a cabin in the northwoods (but not too rustic or for too long; I like indoor plumbing and electricity too much). I do wish there was more of a timeline to follow. It seemed to jump around a bit with different anecdotes that didn't seem to follow a particular path and weren't always connected. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

[Ted Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tales of life in the north woods of Minnesota. I love books like this.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tales of the Northwoods!!

[Kathy Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am drawn toward books set in the North Woods and Peter's descriptions of life in that environment were very entertaining.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the author's rather self-depricating style of writing. He paints some really glorious pictures with some of his stories, especially on his "Wide-Screen Window." Maybe all this thoughtful use of words comes form a slower pace of life? At any rate I found it enjoyable because it's about his and his wife's adventures, mishaps, and accidents that arise from living on 40 rural acres in northern Minnesota circa 1987. From godzilla mosquitos to -55 degree winter nights and stunning views (but not so many that they become passe) of the aurora borealis, overall it was just the 'back to nature' scratch I was itching for.

[Anderse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't care if this is oddly, sometimes badly, written with weird phrases and overly wordy at times. The stories are what I love about this book. The adventure of living in the middle of nowhere and building their own log home by hand is what draws me back to read this book at least once a year.