Lost Without the River: A Memoir

by Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic

Barbara Hoffbeck never quite felt she fit into the small farming community of Big Stone City, South Dakota—and as the youngest of seven growing up during the post-Depression era, she struggled to find her place within her large Catholic family. Barbara defied expectations at every turn, determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated time and place, whether it be by joining a "no girls allowed" hunting trip with her brothers, racing to help save her family's burning barn, or moving across the United States to New York City to pursue a career in publishing. Barbara took her experiences in stride, grounding herself in the beauty of her surroundings—an appreciation stemming from her Dakota roots. Lost Without the River is the story of a girl who grows up, leaves home, and eventually discovers an appreciation for the farm she left behind. It demonstrates the emotional power that even the smallest place can exert, and the gravitational pull that calls a person back home.

Genres: Memoir

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2019

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Without the River is Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic's bittersweet hymn to the place of her birth and childhood. The memoir is filled with observant detail of the land and the simple joys of childhood. It is also a nostalgic recounting her parent's hard life running a South Dakota farm during the Depression. Family and the church were the foundation of life, providing support and unity.

As Scoblic moved on with her life in the wider world, going to school, joining the Peace Corps, and working in New York City, she still felt anchored to the river and the home she knew, proving her father was right when he said his children would be "lost without the river."

The book is episodic, a string of Scoblic's earliest memories through her adulthood revisits of her home town. She withholds some information hinted at early on, to be revealed later for more impact when readers know her family better. Otherwise, there is little tension or drive to her tale. This is a book to enjoy when you need a peaceful read, the literary equivalent of floating down the river and watching the shore slip by, or perhaps sitting in a hammock under a spreading tree on a warm summer's day.

Memoirs are tricky things, especially if readers don't share a commonality of place or time. But they also allow us to see the world through another's eyes--the best also moving us to reconsider and recall our own experiences. After reading Lost Without the River I have a better appreciation for how the land shapes us, and recall my own river days.

I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost without the River by Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic is a memoir about her childhood growing up in a small town in South Dakota during the depression era. Barbara paints a virtual picture with her descriptions of South Dakota’s farms and rivers as if you grew up there yourself. I have not read such a wonderfully written memoir like Lost without the River. Barbara’s passion and pain show so vividly in her book you can feel it yourself. I would like to thank Caitlin Hamilton Summie, Barbara, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling and thought-provoking, LOST WITHOUT THE RIVER is a highly polished memoir with enormous heart. In the candid pages, author Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic shares a deft account of Depression-era farm life. Delivered in a warm style, her engrossing story of familial bonds—that sometimes chafe—is compelling and well-paced. And though it's desperately sad at times, the overriding theme is one of hope and resiliency.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A gentle well-told memoir.

[Barbara Irene Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having livid in Minneapolis, MN my whole life I've always wondered what it was like to grow up on a farm. I recently saw a review of Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic's memoir, Lost Without the River, and I knew that this book was for me and I have to say it did not disappoint. Ms Scoblic begins her story by visually describing the location of the farm with crude maps showing the lay of the land which is useful for the reader. The front cover of the book is an actual photograph of the farm with family portraits in the back. She begins her story with her newly married parents moving to the farm and shares all their hopes and dreams for their new home. The main time frame of the book is the 1920s and 1930s when the children arrive and the family has to deal with the severe drought while the children are growing up. She continues to the present by telling us about her life and how much her brothers and sisters mean to her and how they share in each other's lives even though they are scattered across the country. The main take away from this book is how difficult life was to raise a family particular for her mother without running water, and cooking on a wood burning stove. This part of their lives is well documented and fascinating to read. There was the constant struggle against the elements for newly planted crops in the spring never guaranteed bountiful harvest in the fall. Though the family struggled they never gave up and the neither should the reader. Lots of lessons to learn from this well written book.

[Kathleen Pooler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Without the River, a poignant story about a girl who yearns to experience the bigger world away from the Depression-era farm she grew up on then spends her later years working her way back to it.

As a child, I always wanted to grow up on a farm so Barbara’s story had particular appeal to me. Through her descriptive, lyrical prose, her words made me feel I was with her as she ran through fields of wildflowers and stood on the riverbank to watch the ice chunks float by.

But this is much more than a story of growing up on a farm. It is a window into Depression-era American farm life and the hardworking parents who did their best during those troubling times. It is a universal story of resilience, love, courage and returning home again.

I highly recommend this beautifully written, engaging memoir about leaving home and returning again.

[Susan Rudnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Scoblic writes in a vivid heartfelt way about her life, as the youngest in a large family, growing up on a small farm in rural South Dakota. In particular, if you grew up in an urban or suburban setting, you will be drawn to the powerful depictions of nature, whether it be struggling to live through a flood, threatening family and livestock, crickets chirping or a barn on fire. Scoblic brings you into the push and pulls, the value and challenges of growing up with six siblings, one of whom is severely handicapped. And she helps you understand both her need to leave this land to discover other realities and ways of living, as well as the ways her childhood shaped her and continues to impact her. The land with a river winding through it is a magnet for her, as it will be for you!! Don't miss this memoir!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara was born in a large, Catholic, farming family in South Dakota. She always dreamed of seeing the world, so she joined the Peace Corps. Despite traveling the world and settling down in New York, she still felt a strong connection with her childhood landscape.

Told through various childhood memories, and adult reflections, the author transports readers to the family farm. The hardships the parents and children faced, during the post-Depression times, are balanced with the beautiful spotlights on nature. Family bonds are put to the test, as she conquers her dreams. Readers will be left with hope and a better understanding of rural life.

Notes:
This review was originally posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews account.
I signed up to honestly review this book.

[Patrick Macke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda like the South Dakota version of the Waltons ... simply and lovingly written, a sad and hopeful and reflective story of pioneer America that makes you value what was and what was lost and a simpler lifestyle surrounded by family .... well done Barbara

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Without the River is more a collection of short stories or really essays. Ms. Scoblic is sharing her childhood and family with her readers. She invites us into her life to experience her adolescence on a small farm in South Dakota with a passel of siblings.

Each chapter is a different tale and each one offers a new insight into (very) small town life in a time very different from today. The author shares her family and their successes and failures with honesty and emotion as she tries to find herself along the way. She knows that this rural life is not for her but can she leave her family?

Once I figured out that the book wasn’t telling a linear story I started reading it in bursts rather than straight through like I would a novel. I found it to be a perfect way to relax before bed or to fill some time here or there. Ms. Scoblic has a wonderful writing style that brings her world alive. I’m keeping the book on my nightstand so that I can pick it up when I have a few minutes here or there as these stories are worth re-reading.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost Without the River is an interesting memoir that pulls at your emotions. The book is well written and the memoir is descriptive.

[Shelley]

Author's guest post at my blog:
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2019/04...

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this poignant memoir of a woman who grew up in northeastern South Dakota during the 1940s-50s. All her descriptions were very vivid. What is so interesting is that long after she and her siblings left the farm, they all carried vestiges of the land with them. Times were difficult for her parents, caring for a large family during the Great Depression. I empathized with her mourning as she continued to make annual trips back to her home town how time eroded people and places, left alive only in memory. I enjoyed the picture the author included and the partial family genealogy. A memorable read! Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Donna Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir. I loved the historical bits intertwined with family history. Scoblic is a great storyteller. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads

[Janet Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written book that reminded me of my former life growing up on a farm. This had to be a work of love for Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic. I highly recommend this book.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Mrs. Scoblic tells the story of herself and her family with each chapter being its own little story. She is a gifted writer!
I was visiting Watertown, South Dakota in May of 2023 and found this book in a small bookstore. I was intrigued. It sat in my "to read" pile ever since.

I was so moved by her stories, often moved to tears. I don't keep all the books I buy and read but I will certainly re-read this one. Highly recommend!

[Kathy Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A jewel from start to finish

Ms. Scoblic is a wordsmith with high skills and heartwarming storytelling ability. Her writing is both lyrical and visual. As a person who started life in eastern South Dakota, I especially enjoyed her descriptions of prairie life. This memoir is poignant, fascinating and very hard to put down. I truly felt regret at turning the last page.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt account of growing up on a farm in South Dakota in the 40s and 50s. The author was the youngest child of 7. So many things she wrote about resonated with me. I spent summers on my grandparents' farm, so recognized all the work but also fun involved.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a girl that grew up on a farm in South Dakota during the depression. Stories of the hardships of farm life. The book was not written chronologically or as a story which made it a little confusing at times.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more a collection of stories and remembrances than a memoir. Because the stories skip around in time, I had a hard time remembering who was who. I think the author tried to build some mystery of intrigue about her sister Dorothy, but I just found it confusing.