The Meadow

An original, unique approach to storytelling, recounting in nonlinear, vignette fashion 100 years in the history of an isolated mountain meadow and the people who lived—or attempted to live—there over the years. The author is a poet, so his use of language is inspired and inspiring, revealing human nature and natural history with beauty and insight. I cannot tell you how many times I have read this book since its publication in 1993, but I pull it off the shelf and reread it every year or so.

The Meadow is a book that is far grander than its already grand setting of the American West.

Galvin explores the lives that have come and gone over a hundred years from a meadow at the confluence of two rivers. If you were teaching literature and had to give the best example of place, you could do no better than Galvin’s writing.

As a reader, I enjoy books whose lines make you want to go back and reread, just to savor the word craft and relish the imagery. The Meadow is a masterclass.