Sixty Acres and a Barn: A Novel

by Alfred Lewis, Donald Warrin (Primary Contributor), Frank F. Sousa (Editor)

Sixty Acres and a Barn tells the captivating coming-of-age story of Luis Sarmento, an immigrant from the Azores who finds in America tolerance, prosperity, and emotional fulfillment. This fascinating slice of immigrant life in California dairy farming explores in lyrical, realistic, and insightful prose the obstacles faced by those who live in insular enclaves between cultures. Sixty Acres and a Barn will appeal to readers interested in Portuguese American literature, ethnic literature, immigrant literature, California regional literature, and dairy farms.

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel offers a fascinating view of Portuguese immigrant dairy farmers in northern California in the early 1900s -- told mainly through the eyes of an old-timer, a former whaler from the Azores, who takes on a newly arrived milker. Lots of details about the life and social mores of this rarely-written about group, and an honest look at both the social cohesion and the intolerance borne of a small, isolated community. Kind of like Cannery Row...