Third Person Rural: Further Essays of a Sometime Farmer

by Noel Perrin

Essays on rural life that not only address the many how-to questions that bedevil country dwellers, but also the larger direction that life is taking on this planet.

Perrin, a transplanted New Yorker and now a “real” Vermonter, candidly admits his early mistakes while giving concrete advice on matters such as what to do with maple syrup (other than put it on your pancakes), how to use a peavey, and how to replace your rototiller with a garden animal.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Environment

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Noel Perrin was a professor of English literature, an essayist for the Washington Post, a hobbyist farmer, and a Korean War veteran.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that caused me to fall in love with Perrin's writing. I particularly enjoyed the essay written from the point of view of a young bull speaking pointedly to vegetarians.

[Grace Mcconnell]

I live in Vermont, so these were lessons well learned and related to. Bit dated, but some universal truths and lots of smiles.

[Mrs. Bun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his stories of a country life - especially the winter stories where the cars might not start but the horses always do!

[Ellen Broadhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable meander though the New Hampshire countryside. As a hobby farmer, I found the author's commentary spot on and still true today, almost 20 years later. There are great tidbits, humorous anecdotes in this charming, easy to read book of essays. Makes a great gift (someone gave it to me).

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in a series. These are collections of funny little essays about country life, and I love them to pieces. If I remember correctly, this one is the sweetest of the three--a heavier curmudgeonly note isn't so overpowering in this one.

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A cross between Scott nearing E.B. White, with a little James Harriot thrown in."
— Chicago Sun-Times

[Odoublegood · Rating 4 out of 5]

pleasant brief essays; life in Vermont; should have used "spile" rather than "spout" when writing about sugaring; also read and enjoyed First Person Rural and Second Person Rural

[Gary Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Noel Perrin's books. First, Second and Third Person Rural are all wonderful.

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[FarmDotr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Found on family bookshelf.