Woven on the Wind: Women Write about Friendship in the Sagebrush West

by Linda M. Hasselstrom, Nancy Curtis, Gaydell Collier

The grassroots publishing sensation continues with WOVEN ON THE WIND, the second volume of women's writing from the heart of the American West compiled by the editors and ranchers Linda Hasselstrom, Nancy Curtis, and Gaydell Collier. They called on women in sixteen states and provinces to write about their friendships with other women in the West, a subject that they discovered has all too often been overlooked or underplayed. The result is WOVEN ON THE WIND, a unique and exhilarating collection, "a beautiful, intricate mosaic of women as mothers as well as friends" (Fencepost). In a region where time and space are large and solitude is a fact of life, these women tell of the beauties, ironies, rigors, heartbreak, and humor of life and how it is uniquely enriched by friendships past and present. The voices in this volume -- unsentimental, unflinching, and utterly unforgettable -- take readers into the fields, kitchens, barns, and souls of nearly 150 women and reveal a vital part of the real western American story. "Here is the essence of the West -- not the myth, but the truth."

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

Linda M. Hasselstrom is an award-winning poet and writer of the High Plains whose work is rooted in the arid landscape of southwestern South Dakota. She writes, ranches, and conducts writing retreats on the South Dakota ranch homesteaded by her grandfather, a Swedish cobbler, in 1899.

Her website, www.windbreakhouse.com, provides details about her writing retreats, online consulting and her published poetry and nonfiction.

Contact her at info@windbreakhouse.com

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like it's sister book, LEANING INTO THE WIND, this book really spoke to me. It's a collection of writing that explores ideas of the various ways friendship manifests itself among women living in the west. It's written by a variety of women all who have lived in the west and uses sagebrush as a metaphor for female friendships.

This book made me laugh and cry because the stories touched me. They reminded me of my childhood spent in Wyoming, and the friends I still have from that period of my life. It made me miss home and the sagebrush. It made me think about my mom, sister, aunts and grandmothers. It reminded me how much my family and my western roots mean to me. It made me miss snowy winters and wood stoves, wildlife and the smell of sagebrush after a thunderstorm. Most of all it made me miss the mountains and the west.

I love that because I am a woman of the west, the stories in this book are somehow a part of me.

[Jorgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved many of the stories of friendship between women who lived on desolate, isolated farms and ranches in the Western region of America. These friendships were also with close family members even mothers and daughters which were especially endearing. Others were sad and still others were poorly written but overall, an enjoyable read. However, I found most of the poetry to be discordant and at times disturbing.
The readings made me think of all my girlfriends and how grateful I am for those relationships of service and love.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a book of many stories from many different types of women. I enjoyed most of the contributions. There were a few that were rough, but that lends to the charm of the book...and honestly, a poor writer allows you to truly appreciate the good writers.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a series of short stories to read or for someone wanting to involve themselves in the lives of women living in the western states.

[ML · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult to stick with.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of two edited collections, this volume gathers memoirs and poetry written by western women. The many writers describe life and relationships in small town and rural life. More information at A Readers Guide http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/r... (lj)

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an intriguing look at the friendships between women. I found it heart filling and heartwrenching.

[Tamara Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful writing here.

[Marjie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short stories and poems.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stories and poems truly shine, so much I've check to see if they have written books.