Burning Fence: A Western Memoir of Fatherhood

by Craig Lesley

A memoir of startling emotion and grace, Burning Fence is the story of the men in Craig Lesley's absent father, Rudell, tough stepfather, Vern, adopted son, Wade, and Craig Lesley himself. Their story is one of hardship, violence, and cautious, heartbreaking attempts toward compassion. Lesley's fearless journey through his family history provides a remarkable portrait of hard living in the Western states, and confirms his place as one of the region's very best storytellers.

Genres: Memoir

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Craig Lesley is the author of 4 novels and a memoir, along with numerous other works. He has received three Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Awards, the Western Writers of America Golden Spur Award for Best Novel, and an Oregon Book Award. He has been the recipient of several national fellowships and holds a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Whitman College. Currently the Senior Writer-in-Residence at Portland State University, Craig lives with his wife and two daughters in Portland, Oregon. Both Storm Riders and The Sky Fisherman were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Reviews

[Mat Thorburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I would like this but it just kept pulling me in and I kept putting myself into Craig's shoes and I don't think I could've done what he did . I very much enjoyed the book. My girls went to Irvington a dozen or so years after his I know a lot of the towns that he talked about in the book makes me want to go visit the ones I don't know much about!

[Deb E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books have made me cry. This is one of them. Mr. Lesley was my MFA advisor for two semesters, and to imagine such atrocities happening to such a precious person makes me swallow hard and thank God he made it through.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Criag Lesley was my creative writing professor and one of the nicest men I've ever met. We read a few of his stories from this novel and I was very impressed.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book is a great addition to more current books about surviving in poverty. In the same category as Educated, American Harvest and Hillbilly Elegy. It is the story of the Lesley family principally about the author’s father Rudell. This memoir is also about the author until he is 55. It takes place mostly in Central (Madras) and Eastern (Monument) Oregon. Rudell lives in Monument and makes his living by cutting Juniper fence posts and building fences. Lesley is a good writer and the book flows seamlessly.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is clear and strong.

I am remembering Stephanie Coontz who wrote "The way we never were: American Families and the nostalgia trap" (remembering from hearing her interviewed on the radio-hmm, I should read that book). She said something about it being a myth that it was American women who left the family in the 60s and 70s to go to work. In fact, men had already left. That's the case in this book, when the father leaves the mom and young son one night, to get a flashlight, and never comes back. Craig Lesley can't figure it out, ever, why this man left and why he never came back. The man who left-does he deserve the title father?- turns out to be almost an archetypal westerner- hunter, fighter, drinker, lover, loner, survivor. And family-abandoner. Craig tries to repair this rift in the ways he can find- adopting a very troubled boy who turns out much later to have fetal alchohol syndrome; visiting his father; and writing. There isn't really an answer though. A good window into social history of Eastern Oregon.

[Jeremy Hickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An autobiography by one of my favorite authors, who is also an Oregonian and writes fiction about small-town Oregon. I guarantee you I will read any book Craig Lesley puts out.

This memoir tells the story of Craig's difficult relationship with his father, a real larger-than-life figure who abandoned his family when Craig was a toddler but shows up from time to time throughout Leslie's life. Craig is determined not to be the non-parent his father was, and this leads him to an adoption that becomes dangerous and unworkable. Leslie's novel "Storm Riders" explores this story.

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a must read for any Lesley fan. I feel that I have much more in common with Lesley than I thought. The stories sound very familiar and one sees how he has woven his experiences into his writing. I love this book more than the others that he has written and look forward to the next. He tells his life in the frame of fatherhood and comes out great. Lesley really gets personal with the stories that he tells in this book.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much that I would only allow myself to read it a bit at a time to make it last. While parts of it can be a bit dark, it also represents a stark reality and a window into his world. He spoke of places that we have traveled through and will again but now we will stop and linger as we look for places mentioned. Now I want to go back and re-read some of Craig's early books that I found so thought provoking years ago.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Craig Lesley, and he continues his impressive storytelling legacy in this memoir of fatherhood. His ability to tap into the child's perspective is sure to make you laugh, and his struggle with his relationship with his father as he's in the thick of relationships with his kids is genuine. He effectively builds an emotional bond between himself as writer and his readers.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful memoir that captures the sweeping landscapes and, more important, the fascinating characters of the West. Craig Lesley is a great storyteller, which is why I couldn't stop turning the pages of this book. It was also interesting reading about a childhood set in Oregon. I still haven't made it out to eastern Oregon, but this book made me curious.

[Swan Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this memoir of Lesley's even though I have never read any of his ficiton. I found his family history to be similar to many histories I have read or heard. It is a wonder we grow up and become compassionate, loving individuals. I guess we learn how not to be sometimes and this is a blessing.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lesley is a saint. this book is so direct, sad, and inspiring.

[Faye Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Craig Lesley's writing. He describes the the setting and emotions so well that I feel like I'm there.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazingly well-written and engaging memoir of a very tough upbringing and start on life. I have appreciated Craig Lesley's fiction; this gives insight into its source.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good autobiography from Craig Lesley. I like reading local authors, but he was very honest in this book. worth a looksee