Inheriting The Land: Contemporary Voices from the Midwest

This compelling anthology of contemporary prose and poetry confronts the idea of "regional," and explores the extremes of the term-the hardships of the weather versus the quiet, idyllic beauty of nature, or the provincial, remote feel of the region versus its inherent richness and cohesive spirit.Includes work by Robert Bly, Louise Erdrich, Jon Hassler, Bill Holm, William Stafford, Patricia Hampl, Jonis Agee, Carol Bly, Meridel LeSueur, and Garrison Keillor.A confrontation with the elusive idea of 'regional' writing is the self-stated goal of this important and diverse new anthology. Editors Mark Vinz and Thom Tammaro, professors at Moorhead State University, believe that 'the most positive and enduring sense of regional is indeed that link between particular and universal, local and international.' They've shown that link in this accessible, highly readable volume, comprising work by 84 writers. Editors Vinz and Tammaro have done a commendable job of balancing the material included in this fine anthology. The many themes expressed are universal concerns, and the spirit of these stories and poems extends far beyond the specific or regional. These are not merely contemporary voices from the Midwest; they are contemporary voices from the world.-St. Paul Pioneer Press