The Big Empty: Contemporary Nebraska Nonfiction Writers

by Ladette Randolph (Editor), Nina Shevchuk-Murray (Editor)

A vast, barren landscape or a place of subtle natural beauty; the middle of nowhere or the gateway to the cultural and historical riches of the West; many things to many people and a cipher to many more—the great state of Nebraska is by force of circumstances a place of possibilities. What these possibilities are and what they promise are precisely what the writers of The Big Empty tell us. Exploring the state from its rural reaches to its urban engines, from its marvelous ecosystems to its myriad historical and cultural offerings, these narratives evoke Nebraska in all its facets. Writers as diverse as Ron Hansen, Ted Kooser, Michael Anania, Bob Kerrey, Mary Pipher, Delphine Red Shirt, and William Kloefkorn, among many others, bring a wealth of perspectives and styles to topics such as the Oregon Trail and the Cheyenne Exodus, farming and Internet cafés, politics, weather, and family secrets. The result is a portrait whose broad strokes and rich detail capture the mysterious character of Nebraska.

306 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Ladette Randolph is an American author and editor.

The editor-in-chief of Ploughshares, she is also on the faculty at Emerson College and is co-owner of the manuscript consulting firm Randolph Lundine.

She has been the recipient of a grant from the Rona Jaffe Foundation, as well as a Pushcart Prize, a Virginian Faulkner Award, and three Nebraska Book Awards.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Deb Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains essays by contemporary Nebraska nonfiction writers. Greg and I have visited the Sandhills of Western Nebraska and fell in love with this amazing countryside. Besides the sandhills topography which is like none other, the stories of the area are like none other as well. The land was a harsh and lonely land for the pioneers, especially the women. Willa Cather and Marie Sandoz are two of the great authors from the area. It is still a lonely country and attracts those only able to live alone with no other ranch in sight. We remember the country roads of 1 1/2 lanes that stretch on forever over the rolling countryside. We drove for miles sometimes seeing no other vehicles. Arthur county is a county with one town of a few hundred people. The high schools in this area are small and some have 6 man football teams. Cyber schools are an education choice and some children still live in town during the week to go to school This book also contains descriptions some of the last stands of the Indians and the buffalo. Buffalo Bill Cody lived there and was friends with the Indians. There are stories of Indians in modern times and how some are fighting the problems of the reservations. This is certainly a very absorbing book that I found hard to put down. If you can't find it, let me know.

[Carolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite story in this anthology is "Far Brought",about the changes in the current ecosystem wrought by our beloved Arbor Day planting of trees over generations in a land meant for praire grasses. Made me reconsider my pride in Arbor Day and worry about the future of my "family farm' there.

[Michelle Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wide ranging essays and points of view from a state where people assume everybody is the same.