A Year in Lapland: Guest of the Reindeer Herders

by Hugh Beach

As a young man American Hugh Beach went to live with the Saami reindeer herders of Swedish Lapland. His lyrically written and very personal story of trying to fit into the herding way of life is a rare insider’s account of the Saami. In a passionate and informed Afterword to this new edition of the book, he revisits his old friends and looks at how Sweden is attempting to balance the conflicting needs of reindeer herders and environmentalists in the 21st century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Anthropology

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an engaging read, but one where you really see the author is searching for an experience to match his idea of what Sami culture is. This is a weakness with people researching things they love - their preconceived view of that thing may not be what that thing truly is and so is a flawed lens.

The details about how the homes are set up and the way people interact is romanticly beautiful and there are useful and practical descriptions of things like how to fish.

It's a snap shot of a certain time in Sami culture as seen by an outsider who believes himself not to really be an outsider. That arrogence makes me feel embaressed for him. But a lot of important things have been captured in this snap shot diary.

[Jessica Nilsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful book! Before I started I thought it would be so-and-so, full with facts, but a bit dull. I was wrong! Sure, it teaches you a lot about Saami and their life, their reindeer-herding etc, but it's written in such a "bright" way. I read it for my studies, but it has now become one of my favorite books, and it is well worth reading simply for enjoyment. To follow Hugh and his Saami friends gave me much laughter. Also tears from losses, and pain in my heart for their struggles. This book is truly great, and real. It's a bit like a diary, everything is true, nothing is fiction. It is about everyday life, written in a way that makes me long for nature and wilderness, but still appreciate what I have in my modern life and world.

[Weavre]

OST NON-FICTION ADULT STK 305.89 BEA

[jack]

fantastic. made me feel like i was at home away from home.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting snapshot of Saami life in Sweden in the 1970s. It was during a time of rapid change in the way Saami herded reindeer, hunted, fished and survived in a challenging environment over the course of a year. At the end, he compares that time with 2001, after Chernobyl and more modernization of their herding methods had developed. Because he lived with and learned from elders in the 1970s, he was also able to describe many of the more traditional methods as well. Even within Saami culture there were regional differences in lifestyle and the author clued us into some of those differences.

The book is based on the author's first year of living with the Saami as a very young man. Although he was a budding anthropologist, we see his excitement and desire to participate in all aspects of their life. I am impressed with his ability to pick up some of their life ways and to learn from his mistakes when he does solo trips and ends up in dangerous situations. Even in his attempts to learn making bread like they do. I got the sense that his friends were flattered he wanted to not just want to learn about their lives, but to participate and help in a humble way, as he acted like a child in his abilities at first.

An interesting read of a traditional way of life that is threatened and has already dramatically changed in the 20th and 21st centuries.

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad memoir. Many of the details about Saami reindeer herding are interesting and some are surprising. That they use "shoe grass" placed in their boots to minimize blisters, for example. Or that they use tar blended with oil to repel mosquitos and other bothersome insects. The conflict between traditional ways (such as intensive herding) and the new is a regular presence in these stories. Any task, such as reindeer castration, is described with that in mind. As somebody who has never hunted, I was surprised to read how much effort was involved when a moose has been brought down. I guess 1,000 pounds of meat is worth some time and stress. Imagine cross-country skiing through a snow storm so strong that when attempting to sit in the snow for a rest, you find out you are actually sliding downhill at a fast pace. I recommend this to anybody interested in the northern regions of Norway and Sweden.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked it. didn't finish it. had to return it to the library.

[Jay O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating read. It makes me wonder how things have even further changed from the publication of this version of the book. I loved this story.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn a little more about an area of world that is untraveled by most Americans. I found the writers words to efficient yet not cause for ennui. Just like the Swedes. He describes his account of traveling through Swedeish Lapland over one summer in the 70's while tracking reindeer.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I was a big fan of his brother's books and was pleasantly surprised. It made me want to spend time with the Lapps. Farley Mowat is the only other author of this genre that is this good that I have read.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read, but skipped through the parts and photos about killing animals. Otherwise a decent book and informative about the Sami culture.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writings of the author gave me a better insight of the living and working by the Sami people.