Simple Living: One Couple's Search for a Better Life

Simple Living is the true story of Frank Levering and Wanda Urbanska, a couple whose constant craving for more of the trappings of materialism while living life in the fast lane encroached upon their sanity and well-being -- until they chose to revert to a simpler life running a family orchard on the Blue Ridge mountains. An inspirational guide to taking charge of one's life and prioritizing what truly matters, Simple Living is thoughtful and occasionally inspiring reading which is heartily commended to the attention of anyone feeling that there contemporary lifestyle is disadvantageous to their truly livingk and are looking for something better -- something simpler.

This is undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read, and yes, I have read many. Having grown up in a small town, moved away to several metropolitan areas, and then returned, I am well aware of the challenges which face those of us who do so. Levering & Urbanska do a marvelous job of eruditely characterizing those challenges, as well as providing insight into the paradigm shifts required to resolve them. Their detailed, yet lively, description of small town and rural life is masterful, honest yet not critical. While their circumstances are unique to themselves, they are/will be reflected in the experiences of anyone making a similar choice. Additionally, the work is more than just one dimensional. It provides insight into both simple living as well as small town living. The writing style was eloquently simple, yet above a third-grade reading level. It was entertaining as well as enjoyable. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in small town living, simple living, or both.

I'm puzzled at some of the negative reviews. They seem a bit harsh, judging the path chosen by this couple in their book and the stories of others who have also chosen different interpretations of simple living. I'm also puzzled that one reader disliked their detailed descriptions of things such as remodeling their bathroom when isn't that what Thoreau did in "Walden Pond"? I believe this book gives encouragement for people to find their own way of simplicity and of not competing with the Joneses, while admitting how difficult it can be to go against the tide of spending. It gives me hope that my journey isn't as solitary as I sometimes think it is.

I read this book at a time in my life when I really needed it. The stress of being self employeed working 16 hours a day was killing me. I have now sold my business and am doing something I love as well as enjoying more time to smell the roses. I even hopped a plan, found their town and went to their house to tell them how much I loved their book but they weren't home. If anybody doesn't like this book, I figure they're ate up with being a yuppie.

I really enjoyed this book. In part I suppose because owning an orchard is my idea of a great life (at least as a dream) but also because it showed that there are many different paths and definitions of a "simple life." One can be a doctor living something very much like a middle class life or two former nun carpenters living without electricity. Frank and Wanda show that simple living is much more a matter of personal spiritual development and balance than any particular income bracket. I also very much enjoyed the multi-generational story of Frank's family and the way it was woven into the broader search for simple living. You know these are very real people -- with strengths and weaknesses -- as you follow the transition of the family business from parents to children. Full of humor and honest reflection on one couples' search for the simple life, this book will give you a good read and provoke some deep thinking.