A Can of Peas

I truly enjoyed reading this book along with the two others that follow in this series. The characters draw you in to the point of feeling like you're right there alongside them. I recommend this to anyone looking to read about the things one values and what is truly important in life.

Oh, what a pleasure this book is. Redemption, grace, and kindness nurture the story just as sun, water, and tender care nurture a family farm. Story lines of family and friends line up like rows of peas, beans, and corn in the fields that march across the heart of America.Peter and May face a huge decision when Peter's grandfather dies, and, tantalized by the romance of the notion, they choose to abandon city life/careers and try to save the family farm in rural Minnesota. Predictably, the stress and strain of such a choice puts a cramp in their marriage - and their dream is in danger of withering on the vine.Wonderful story, wonderful storytelling, wonderful author. Try it. You'll never look at the shining produce in the stalls of a farmers' market thru the same eyes.

Every once in a while a book comes along that just completely captures my imagination. A Can of Peas is such a book. No, it's not flashy, no it's not a typical "page turner," but it's got a whole lot more staying power than all those glitzy thrillers that dominate the best seller lists. The characters are so well drawn that by the end of the book you feel you really know them. And the whole premise of a professional city boy going back to the family farm strikes me as completely true to life.Want something truly uplifting? Try A Can of Peas

There's nothing canned about this book--it offers some of the freshest prose I've come across in a long time.The author has an uncanny way of making Lake Emily and its diverse cast of characters come fully alive. I grew up on a farm in the Midwest, and I can attest to the truth of Traci's portrayal of farm life. Think of Jane Smiley without the darkness, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what's going on here.I predict a very bright future for Traci DePree when word gets out about her.

Real-life characters in over their heads, but trusting in God and community to pull them through. The small-town virtues of honesty and hard work. The toughness it takes to make a go of it on the family farm. And the tenderness needed to care for those who've entrusted their lives to you. These are the simple ingredients in this marvel of a book.Kind of like if Jan Karon set her books in America's heartland, A Can of Peas has that same gentle yet tough-minded sensibility. Filled with memorable characters, heartwarming stories, and unforgetable snapshots of rural Minnesota, A Can of Peas is almost perfect. I can't wait for this author's next one!