cover image River House: A Memoir

River House: A Memoir

Sarahlee Lawrence, Tin House, $16.95 paper (272p) ISBN 978-0-9825691-3-9

Determined to leave her home in the high desert of Oregon, Lawrence departed at an early age to work as a river guide running some of the world's wildest ribbons of water. Though beguiled by her worldwide fresh-water exploits, Lawrence found herself longing for the arid environment of her upbringing while sitting in a rain-soaked tent in a South American jungle. "For the first time, I wanted to go back. I was ready to explore my own place for once, to live and work each season in an ecosystem as familiar as Sunday breakfast." Lawrence explores the deep bond she shares with her troublesome yet lovable father as together they build the house of her dreams on the family ranch. She chronicles her deep connection to the dry, beautiful landscape of eastern Oregon. With her keen eye and talent for writing about the natural world, Lawrence pays homage to the American West, capturing the changes washing over her rural hometown as it transitions to a playground for the vacationing rich. Lawrence is one of those remarkable young women spawned by the American West who are adept at running wild rivers, operating heavy equipment, and building a log home, all evocatively told in this informative book. (Oct.)