The Shepherd's Life

I read this book because I encountered James Rebanks on Twitter and enjoyed his posts about raising sheep in England's Lake District. Rebanks writes about how his experience of the Lake District as his ancestral home, where his family has been raising sheep for hundreds of years at least, is different from the romantic vision that non-farmers have of the place. As he describes the work he does throughout the seasons, the relationships he has with his parents and neighbors, and a bit of the history of sheep farming in his part of England, you gain some appreciation of what he means. The book is engaging, even for a non-farmer. Well worth reading.

Story: Son of shepherd talks about life in the Lake District in the North of England. How the landscape informs and roots his life. Also how the romantic notions of this landscape over the last 100 years or so has impacted how the land is viewed/used. Discusses that the usage has shaped the land, how the landscape is in fact not very natural at all, and how life is lived for those who are of the land. Spoiler alert: it is not walking about in one of the most romantic landscapes possible, not at all. Also much discussion of sheep and sheepdogs, their roles and that is very interesting, integral in fact.
Language: Evocative of the places and moods of the Lake District. Some specialized terms are present but are always explained. Enjoyable and adds much.
Setting: The Lake District in the North of England.
Characters: The author, family, the landscape, neighbors, sheep, and sheep dogs. All are very much more than just local color; they are all loved or at least respected, given true depth, and are truly what this book is about.

Interesting and insightful, but I felt it lacked something. Maybe more of a human element?

I really enjoyed this. It's about farming in the Lake District and it's surprisingly interesting. One thing that did annoy me however is certain parts are almost an autobiography, and considering this book is supposed to be about sheep farming they feel unnecessary. I don't want to sound mean or anything but I'm reading this for the farming aspect not because I want to learn about the author's life.