New York Times, Janet Maslin
"Intense readability . . . haunting power . . . as well as lush, vivid atmosphere that is alluring in its own right. . . . Coleman's memoir is not one of trendy virtue, but of authenticity. [A] story so nuanced that it would be a disservice to reveal what was in store. If you want to know what happened, read it for yourself."
Back-to-the-Land Life Recalled in Dark and Light
New York Times Book Review, Megan Mayhew Bergman
"Rendered with sublimity . . . [Coleman] fluently describes the power of the natural world, familial love and heartbreak, grace after loss."
A Memoir of Living off the Grid
People, People Pick, Ellen Shapiro
"Coleman's moving recounting never loses hope of redemption."
People Pick
Los Angeles Times, Susan Salter Reynolds
"The Colemans and the Nearings . . . worked hard to create an alternative economy that is still growing in rural America. This memoir is evidence of their great sacrifices."
Discoveries
Marie Claire, Kimberly Cutter
"Riveting . . . While the mystery of Heidi's death is the engine that drives the story, it is Coleman's clear-eyed portrayal of the wonder and difficulty of living so close to nature that gives the book its power."
Need to Read
Boston Globe, Kate Tuttle
"Affecting. . . . The book's lovely and unadorned lyricism shines."
NPR.org, Rachel Syme
"[This Life Is In Your Hands] is a rare breed of book–a memoir that justifies its own existence; that feels like it needs to exist. What Coleman does so well here is break down a deeply seated myth about giving up the luxuries of city life and returning to the land. . . . Coleman shows that without the essential ingredient of heart, any family–no matter how perfect and revolutionary it seems–is in danger of experiencing real loss."
Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, Tim Nason
"A stunning memoir. . . . A story about overcoming grief, a courageous effort to heal a time in the past which many of the people involved probably thought too difficult to ever talk about. Melissa Coleman’s book is a powerful and remarkable achievement."
Tuscon Citizen, Larry Cox
"This uncompromising memoir is tender, nonjudgmental, and heartfelt."
Publishers Weekly
"[A] timely and honest portrait."
Book Riot
December 15, 2011
Review by Kim Ukura:
Best Books of 2011
Eagle Tribune
November 27, 2011
Roundup by Teri Schlichenmeyer:
Seasons Readings: Gift Guide 2011
Julie True Kingsley's Blog
September 28, 2011
Review by Julie True Kingsley:
My Pick for a Great Read!
The Writing Life Too Blog
August 21, 2011
Blog by Jessica Morrell:
On Writing Hard Truths
Go LocalProv, Providence, RI
August 16, 2011
Roundup by Robin Kall:
Well Read: 8 Great Memoirs
Down East Magazine
July 21, 2011
Review by Agnes Bushell:
Family, Food, and the Farm
Publishers Weekly Blog
June 24, 2011
Blog by Josie Leavitt:
A Very Personal Event
Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener
Summer 2011
Review by Tim Nason:
Reviews and Resources
UVM Alumni Magazine
June 19, 2011
Review by Amanda Kenyon Waite:
Alumna Tells Story of 'One Dream, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone'
Burlington Free Press
June 19, 2011
Review by Melissa Pasanen:
Organic Farming Guru's Daughter Shares Story
Burlington Free Press
June 19, 2011
Article by Melissa Pasanen:
Maine Author's Book Features Vermont Farmers
The Oregonian
June 4, 2011
Review by Peggy McMullen:
Hot off the Presses
The Aspen Times
June 2, 2011
Review by Stewart Oksenhorn:
Reality Check
Los Angeles Times
May 29, 2011
Review by Susan Salter Reynolds:
Discoveries
Tuscon Citizen
May 25, 2011
Review by Larry Cox:
Recommended New Memoirs
DAVE FM
May 25, 2011
Radio Interview with Mara Davis:
Interview with Melissa Coleman
Grist
May 24, 2011
Article by David Gumpert:
Family (farm) affair
New York Times Book Review
May 8, 2011
Review by Megan Mayhew Bergman:
A Memoir of Living off the Grid
Here and Now on NPR
May 5, 2011
Radio interview by Robin Young:
A Family's Utopian Dream, Unravelled
Bangor Daily News
May 1, 2011
Review by Aislinn Sarnacki:
Freeport author travels back to the land to dig up a family past in a memoir earning national esteem
IndieBound
May 1, 2011
Indie Next Pick from IndieBound:
May 2011 Indie Next List
New York Times Bestseller
May 1, 2011
E-Book Nonfiction bestseller:
E-Book Nonfiction List
Portland Press Herald
April 30, 2011
Interview by Meredith Goad:
Author Q & A: 20/20 Version
207 on WCSH Channel 6
April 19, 2011
Interview with Rob Caldwell:
Author Melissa Coleman
NPR
April 12-18, 2011
Review by Rachel Syme, books editor:
What We're Reading
Live Work Portland
April 17, 2011
Blog by Chad Frisbie:
Even When The Writing Gets Lonely, The Writers Are Not
Boston Globe
April 10, 2011
Review by Kate Tuttle (scroll down):
Short Takes
Entertainment Realm
April 10, 2011
Review by Amy Steele:
Book Review
Powells.com Guest Blogger
April 9-15, 2011
A week of blog posts for Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon:
Powell's Blog
New York Times
April 7, 2011
Review by Janet Maslin:
Back-to-the-Land Life Recalled in Dark and Light
A Design So Vast
April 6, 2011
Review by Lindsey Mead:
This Life Is in Your Hands
Portland Phoenix
April 6, 2011
Review by Deirdre Fulton:
Back to the Land: Digging up cathartic childhood memories
People Magazine
April 5, 2011
Review by Ellen Shapiro:
People Pick
Marie Claire
April 2011
Review by Kimberly Cutter:
Need to Read
O, The Oprah Magazine
April 2011
Excerpt from the book:
Into the Woods: An Idyllic Life in Rural Maine Undone by Tragic Loss
Maine Magazine
Recent, New, and Forthcoming: The Latest from Maine Writers
