Letters from Larksong

by David Kline

This collection reflects the rhythm of farm life; where that most forgiving of animals, the horse, sets the pace and the range. These letters are addressed to the most fundamental need of people, land, and community nurture

Genres: Nature

208 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2010

About the author

David Kline is the author of Great Possessions: An Amish Farmer's Journal. A member of an Amish community, he lives on a farm near Fredericksburg, Ohio.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Wendell Berry devotee, I discovered the Amish farmer David Kline through Berry's writings about him. They are good friends, and have impacted each other over many years. Sometimes it is easy to think of the Amish as backward, and out of touch with the modern world. But this lovely collection of musings on nature and farming shows such wisdom and the skills of observation this man possesses. On the back flyleaf, there is a quote that sums up the book for me: "through a combination of lore and literature, heritage and harmony, David Kline finds deep satisfaction in the practice of farming and the careful observation of nature." He has lived on and loved the same land his whole life, and has learned from it. He has obviously read widely, and integrated that with his observations. Oh that more of us had the time and skills to do what he has over his lifetime! I read this bit by bit over a month or so, and felt like the right pacing. Thank you, David Kline, for your life, and for sharing this with the larger world.

[David Rudin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last of his books, for me to read. I once again come under the spell of essays spun by this Amish farmer/naturalist. These pieces are shorter and not as polished as The Round of a Country Year, his most recent book, yet they shed new light on this interesting man and his life.
Kline is interested in economics and politics more than one would think, coming from a culture known for disavowing mainstream ways. He is also a big fan of Gene Logsdon and Wendell Berry, who I believe are fans of his as well.
Mostly though, this is comfortable and familiar ground with short essays on the seasons’ doings on his farm and natural history. These words come from a man fully rooted to his plot of earth and his community, finding joy in the quotidian which truly shows mastery in a life well lived.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Possessions is a great way to introduce city-folk and skeptics to the beauty and entertainment value of the natural world around them. However, I think part of the charm is following the flow of the seasons, taking your time, and following interesting details as they pop up; just like a good hike. The format of this book, very short blurbs racing through the seasons, doesn't provide the same idyllic sense of peace. It's still ok but I'd rather stick to his longer form collections.

[Rebecca Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of diary-like essays over a 10 year period. Enjoyed the nature observations, and his farming abilities, and his love for the life he has enjoyed. Easy to read and easy to understand. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Rebecca Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've really loved Kline's earlier essays published in Great Possessions and Scratching the Woodchuck. His reflections on the nature he encounters on his Ohio farm are presented with plainspoken simplicity, but demonstrate remarkable insight into the interconnected fabric of the natural world. Letters from Larksong was a little disappointing. I'm not entirely sure why, but I think it has to do with the format and the audience they were written for. As a compilation of editorials from the quarterly Farming magazine, there's really little opportunity for Kline to explore thoughts very far. When he's writing for the spring issue, for example, there's not much more than "here's what we're doing on my farm this spring." Same thing for fall. Throw in a few reflections on items read in the newspapers of the day, the rising price of oil, for example, and he's out of time.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Kline is an Amish farmer and naturalist in Ohio. He writes of simple things...nesting birds, plowing fields, milking cows. In Letters from Larksong, David shares short essays observing the pace and pulse of the farm over the seasons. Well read, he shares insights from other authors as well as his own. This is a wonderful book for both other farmers and those interested in conservation, nature, and where their food comes from.

[Marcia Chocinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Short crisp chapters filled with natural observations about everything on a farm. Enjoyable for the peace and comfort of reading about such a well lived life.