Wickerby: An Urban Pastoral

by Charles Siebert

Reflecting on his five-month stay in an isolated log cabin in the woods of Canada, the author challenges the romantic distinctions between city and country, celebrating his native Brooklyn as a complement to the natural world

Genres: Fiction, Canada, New York

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Charles Siebert is a poet, journalist, essayist, and contributing writer for The New York Times Sunday Magazine. His work has appeared in a broad array of publications, including The New York Times Sunday Magazine, The New Yorker, Harper's, Vanity Fair, Outside, Esquire, and Men's Journal.

Reviews

[Wil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book. Perhaps because I'm currently wondering about the city/nature split in my own life, or maybe because much of it takes place in a neighborhood where I spent six years, but it felt extraordinarily timely and pertinent. The author is quite talented, writing in a well-flowing and entertaining style while drawing comparisons that are thoughtful but not pretentious. Would recommend to anyone who likes travel/nature writing, particularly those living in Brooklyn.

[Teresa James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, absorbing book, despite the dog part. Siebert has a way of understanding animals that is almost spooky. He is also a very nice guy. I took a workshop he gave at a writer´s conference. He´s passionate about writing and a great communicator.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...the endless conveyor belts of carrier ants."

"...bumblebees out by the fire pit, singing past me, loud as mopeds."

[Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting the author to have done more of a pioneer lifestyle. Instead this book focuses mostly on Siebert's philosophy of modern life, nature, & the desire to escape.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun challenging prose! really had to lock in and pay attention and I’m afraid some of it passed me by when I was just skimming

[Vasha7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connecting city and country. Insightful, and even gripping; the author's emotions are close to the surface, and he tells the experiences well, how his life in the cabin in the woods is something that allows him to understand his city life, and the human condition, balanced between the need to get away from the non-human, and a counterbalancing longing for something vague we always feel we've lost.

Possibly the most revelatory book I've read this year.

[Chennel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book brought relaxation to my days as it takes place in a lonely cabin. I like the mood it sets... cold winter evenings with a pet or a furry blanket, all you need is a cup of tea!

[Anne]

Nice reading. Pensive self reflection in a poetic sort of way. Some of the observations are sweet. Nothing very memorable.