Farm Legends

by Will Carleton

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206 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

William McKendree Carleton was an American poet. Carleton's poems were most often about his rural life.

Reviews

[Lana Lynne Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Will Carleton by accident. A bookshelf of vintage books beckoned me while strumming through an antique store. The gold-gilded print on the cover, the substantial feel of the well-bound 1887 volume of FARM LEGENDS by Will Carleton docked it in my hands, but when I opened the cover, I set sail. The delightful sea of verse and ballads tickled my mind and heart upon cresting the first wave "The Schoolmaster's Guests"--laughter bubbled and true delight found rebirth within my heart. Needless to say, the book came home with me. I've read it like an enjoyable stroll, discovering the heart of a prolific poet from the late 1800s. He writes in the vernacular of the common man. Even though the poet had to wait to return to and finish college after his brother returned from the Civil War, his time working on the farm and conversing with his fellowman made him, in many ways, more relatable than those writing with a more academic approach. The vast knowledge he received in college is shown in the subjects he incorporates into several of his poems. He knew literature and history well, but it is his astute study of human nature and his love for God giving his work a special spark I haven't found in any other poets' works.

After finishing this volume, I immediately checked for his other works. I contacted a wonderful used bookstore near the antique store where I found this vintage copy, but to no avail. However, I have found a few of his other works at online outlets. The feel of the thick paper, heavy cover, and wonderful illustrations added to the reading experience. I'd prefer to read his other works within the same array. There were 187 pages in this book, however, the one shown on Goodreads only shows 136.
I found a free ebook copy of his first work, FARM BALLADS, on Amazon and downloaded it. I am delighting it it, but I do want to get a vintage copy. Frayed bindings and scuffs aren't a bother to me. You'll understand once you read Will Carleton's stories within verse.
Treat yourself! Start with the free ebooks of his work, but I'll bet you will want his works on your shelves. All generations will delight in his timeless talent and verse.

[Rob Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume of Will Carton’s poems is not as good as his Farm Ballads, but here and there his brilliance shines through. I even sent one stanza about college reminisces to my old school alumni coordinator. His style is of the 19th century, but his humor is timeless as is his insight into the common man.