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Catherine Goldhammer
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Still Life with Chickens: Starting Over in a House by the Sea Hardcover – Bargain Price, April 20, 2006

by Catherine Goldhammer (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
"Frank, funny and helpful."— The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionFor the millions who loved A Year by the Sea comes a memoir of a woman who awakens at midlife to find wisdom in a most unlikely place In this beautifully written and frequently funny memoir, Catherine Goldhammer, newly separated, along with her twelve-year-old daughter, starts life anew in a cottage by the sea, in a rustic town where live bait is sold from vending machines. Partly to please her daughter and partly for reasons not clear to her at the time, she begins this year of transition by purchasing six baby chickens—whose job, she comes to suspect, is to pull her and her daughter forward out of one life and into another.An unforgettable story filled with hope and grace, Still Life with Chickens shows how transcendent wisdom can be found in the most unlikely of places.
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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hudson Street Press
  4. Publication date
    April 20, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    7.14 x 5.9 x 0.81 inches
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000NIJ4B0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hudson Street Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 20, 2006
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.14 x 5.9 x 0.81 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

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Catherine Goldhammer

Catherine Goldhammer

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
29 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and entertaining, with one mentioning it's perfect for long trips. The story receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as a great tale of starting over. Customers appreciate the humor in the book.

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12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and delightful to read, with one customer noting it's perfect for long trips.

"...It was written by a member that I havent met. And it is so well written. I barely get time to myself so a book for me is a treat...." Read more

"...For anyone with a loving heart, you will relate. A delightful read, short enough to pack into an overnight bag as a perfect weekend read...." Read more

"...the candor and humor of hindsight, and it makes for quick and entertaining reading. Most of us have never thought of poultry as possible pets...." Read more

"...It was fast and smooth reading. I would love to see a sequel!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Story quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story, with one mentioning it's a great tale of starting over and another noting it's a learning adventure for the writer.

"...From delivery to first brooder, to first coop. It is a learning adventure for the writer, her daughter and the reader...." Read more

"...It is beautiful. What a lovely simple story of a real woman and her daughter. It was fast and smooth reading. I would love to see a sequel!..." Read more

"...A good story!" Read more

"...I carefully walk that line everyday. A great story of starting over, and remodeling her life as she remodels the little house by the sea...." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor.

"...And this was a well chosen one. Funny and written with wit. A look inside the "addiction" that is chickens...." Read more

"...Goldhammer tells her story with the candor and humor of hindsight, and it makes for quick and entertaining reading...." Read more

"...All the problems along the way provided sympathy, humor and cheers. A good story!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Martha C. P
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the back yard flock owner. Or someone thinking about it
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    I read about this book on a online community for back yard chicken owners(Shout out to ya all!!!) It was written by a member that I havent met.
    And it is so well written. I barely get time to myself so a book for me is a treat. And this was a well chosen one.
    Funny and written with wit. A look inside the "addiction" that is chickens.
    Story begins with the demise of her marriage and the subsequent sale of her large home in the ritzy part of town. The promise to her daughter of chickens and the intense research her daughter then does. A move to a small, close community with the usual, and unusual dwellers. And the lengths chicken owners then go through for their chooks.

    From delivery to first brooder, to first coop. It is a learning adventure for the writer, her daughter and the reader.

    Very highly recommended for all pet owners and anyone thinking of beginning a life with chickens.
    One person found this helpful
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  • J. Adamcyk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Memoir of a childhood friend
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't know about this book until, out of the blue, after almost 40 years, Cathy sent me a note about its publication. She even remembered the name of my dog, and that my sister had a deep voice! No wonder this book reads with such detail, and such warmth!In her memoir, she brings back memories of MY grandmother and HER chickens. I too, remember the little golden yolks of eggs about to be future eggs in the cavities of the chicken which had just met its demise by the woodpile, on the chopping block. Grandma's farm DID have a rooster, who protected his brood, and ever since just the thought of Hitchcock's THE BIRDS, bring back the rooster attack in the henyard! Alternately,I laughed, and became teary eyed at parts. IT is indeed the story of a middle-aged woman who is redefining her life, finding power in the love of family and friends, and with a "HAVE AT IT" spirit.For anyone who has ever had workmen into your living space, you will relate. For anyone trying to raise a tweenage daughter, you will relate. For anyone with a loving heart, you will relate. A delightful read, short enough to pack into an overnight bag as a perfect weekend read.My sister,(with the deep voice)loved the book as well, and said that Cathy's photo on the jacket has the same impish smile as when we were in Brownies together! p.s. You'll learn more about chickens than you could ever imagine!
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Corinne H. Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chickens? Why not?
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Divorce happens every day. Families split up, someone leaves the house, and each individual tries to create a new life. What makes Catherine Goldhammer's experience unique is the addition of - believe it or not - CHICKENS. Buying six fluffy chicks and having her teenage daughter learn how to raise them disrupts the household enough that it helps to bridge the transition between the old, comfortable life and the new, unsure one in a fixer-upper along the Massachusetts coastline. Sharing a suburban residence with a dog, a cat, and six chicks who don't stay little for long makes for an interesting and hectic lifestyle. Catherine and Emma's daily routine soon revolves around the feathered ones. Goldhammer tells her story with the candor and humor of hindsight, and it makes for quick and entertaining reading. Most of us have never thought of poultry as possible pets. After finishing "Still Life," readers may find themselves opting for veggie platters over chicken dinners in restaurants.
    24 people found this helpful
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  • Jessica
    3.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly delightful
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2007
    This unsual book inspires one to delight in the little things and appreciate the now.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Loocy
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10 stars
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    Since I am from the Boston area, I really wanted to read this book. It is beautiful. What a lovely simple story of a real woman and her daughter. It was fast and smooth reading. I would love to see a sequel! The writing reminded me of a writer named Gladys Tabor who wrote similar stories about 50 years ago. Read this wonderful book and enjoy!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Very nice book
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  • C. J. Connelly
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book. I like stories where the main character isn't supposed to succeed, yet does. All the problems along the way provided sympathy, humor and cheers. A good story!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • A reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love the book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I re-read this book when work gets super stressful. Why? Because Catherine was so courageous in the face of tremendous change, and that inspires me. Love her real estate agent too.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lorraine Toth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on March 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I could relate to this book and found it lovely.
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