About the Book
Sawdust Footprints is set in midwinter in an orchard in the northeast U.S. during the 1980s. Lester Maleau is a worker in the orchard. His life seems to be at a hopelessly low ebb. Over the course of three days of work, through attentiveness to his work, through interaction with his coworkers, he's reminded of his humanity.
Reviews
Joseph M. Mascia is the best writer about real work since Steinbeck. –Howard Frank Mosher, award-winning author of Walking to Gatlinberg and The Great Northern Express
I enjoyed and admired Sawdust Footprints. The lore and detail about orchard work were completely convincing. The lyrical writing about the land was well done and well observed. - Castle Freeman Jr., author of My Life and Adventures
A small book, flawlessly written. The book is about a man who prunes apple orchards for a living, and what he thinks about while he is working. He is a young man, not an old man. This is not a meditation, but a touching novel about someone who is trying to live a decent life, but finds comfort mostly in his work.This is the kind of book that one enjoys loaning out, a very special book that only a few people know about. —A Reader
Now that apple season is here, this book, Sawdust Footprints, keeps coming to mind in the way that some powerful images you've read surface seemingly without your own effort. The finely drawn protagonist and his work make this an unforgettable story for me. The author has obviously lived these experiences. A plus for me was learning about apple growing and harvesting. Poignant and satisfying! —Old Zen Lady
What a beautifully written authentic book. - Howard Frank Mosher
WHERE TO BUY
Gavilan Books at Amazon