Potluck: Community on the Edge of Wilderness

by Ana Maria Spagna

In "Potluck, " Ana Maria Spagna explores the enduring human connection to place, journeying from Tijuana to a California beach to Utah's canyon country--and, always, back to the sparsely populated valley in the North Cascades she calls home. "Potluck" homes in on the everyday gatherings that, over time, define a a makeshift wedding, an art gallery opening, a farewell potluck, a work party, a campfire, a political caucus, a funeral. "What connects us?" Spagna asks, and she reveals, again and again, the gift of community--easy and uneasy, deep and enduring and essential.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Nature

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Ana Maria Spagna is the author of nine books including PUSHED: Miners, a Merchant and (Maybe) a Massacre forthcoming from Torrey House Press, UPLAKE: Restless Essays of Coming and Going and the poetry chapbook, MILE MARKER SIX, as well as THE LUCKIEST SCAR ON EARTH, a novel about Charlotte, a 14-year old snowboarder. Previous books include RECLAIMERS, stories of indigenous people reclaiming sacred land and water, the memoir/history TEST RIDE ON THE SUNNYLAND BUS: A Daughter’s Civil Rights Journey, winner of the River Teeth literary nonfiction prize, and two previous collections of essays, POTLUCK, finalist for the Washington State Book Award, and NOW GO HOME, a Seattle Times Best Book of 2004.

Reviews

[Karen Schnakenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

As in any collection of essays, some are stronger (sometimes significantly stronger) than others. On balance, however, this collection is definitely worth reading for both the first and the last essay and the way the reading of the entire book reflects and enhances the focus of the final chapter. "Potluck" turns out to be a very apt metaphor for the central idea of making community (defined in various ways and circumstances) in whatever situation one finds oneself, but there is also a very strong sense of choosing one's community, even in the smallest and most isolated setting.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

In these essays about community, wilderness, relationships, and religion, Spagna's voice is quiet and peaceful, yet still questioning.

[Andy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potluck is a collection of essays, mostly about the author's life in Stehekin, Washington, a small community on Lake Chelan that is accessible only by boat, plane, or hiking. Spagna captures the spirit of the people living in Stehekin as well as the natural beauty that surrounds it. The essay " This, Jack London reminded me" tells of a back country ski trip outside Stehekin including Spagna getting left behind that truly does remind you of a Jack London story, it is as good of nature writing that you will find. Spagna's essays also describe the diversity of people drawn to living there full or part time with the occasional snobbery towards the tourists who come to visit. The challenges to living there are also described, the year of the great flood of the Stehekin river that threatened homes and the ever increasing fires that threaten the homes in Stehekin bringing with it the debates of how to combat the fire danger and how much is the responsibility of those who choose to live in the forest where fire is a natural occurrence.

[Bryanna Plog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing that is both literary and easily-accessible. The stories are compelling and we are lucky that Spagna has put not just the work to create community and live on the edge of wilderness, but to share these essays with all.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every essay in this brief collection is perfect. Very highly recommend.

[Sharon LaCrosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Community. We must all find it somewhere.

[Carol Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about a life style few of us could access, and maybe wouldn't want to. Stehekin is a village at the far end of lake Chelan in Washington, surrounded by national forest, accessible by boat, plane or foot. I chose boat in visiting it. Ms Spagna covers wilderness living plus incidents in other parts of the west from childhood and working for the park service. Her theme is community and her choice is the semi isolated ones. She covers the assets and debits of her community and does so with clarity and emotion.

[Terry Tschann Skelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Since I reside currently in a town even smaller than the one Ana Maria lives in, I get it unreservedly. Although my tiny town is in the mountains of New Mexico rather than Washington, the dynamic among the residents is so similar, I often laughed out loud in recognition of the similarity of my interactions with my neighbors to hers. Also, our paths have crossed in many instances: Southern California as children, Canyonlands for the beauty and the silence in particular. Her writing style is literate without being condescending. I hope she writes more soon!

[Susan Oleksiw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays about living in or near wilderness, in a village at the top of Lake Chelan in Washington mostly. I've been there and loved it, and I've certainly been to my share of potluck suppers. The essays are finely chiseled records of an unusual life and bring the reader into a world that is mostly lost to those of us now living in cities and towns.

[Iris Graville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I look forward to lots more re-readings so I can get all of the juicy bits this"potluck" offers about community, place, and home. Spagna braids the rich threads of her life as well as LIFE into masterful, moving, thought-provoking essays. Potluck is a treasure.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. Read it all the way through in one sitting -- the author's voice just carries you along like a strong river-current. Funny and wise and delectable.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. A collection of essays around the theme of community and rural life, many set in Washington or Oregon, but also in various spots in California, the desert SW, and Mexico.

[Anda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic with the Romance of the PNW ... filled with expressions of community and crazy townspeople. I never wanted it to end. Hard to move on after reading this one.

[Kathy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful essays set in a beautiful location. if you like nature writing that brings home meaning, you'll love Spagna's work.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice collection of essays

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of my preparation for spending five weeks in Stehekin. It gave me a good sense of what lies ahead!

[Kara O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will post a link to my blog post once I finish it!! Excellent!

[Monster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I wanted Now Go Home to be: mature, clear and not entirely unscathed.

[John Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book by a great writer. Her stories are so wonderful you won't be able to put this book down. I hope that we will see some more books from her soon.