"One of New York Times Top 10 Books of 2009" (Dwight Garner)

"Captivating... By turns edgy, moving, and hilarious, Farm City marks the debut of a striking new voice in American writing." --Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and Food Rules

When Novella Carpenter--captivated by the idea of backyard self-sufficiency as the daughter of two back-to-the-earth hippies--moves to a ramshackle house in inner-city Oakland and discovers a weed-choked, garbage-strewn abandoned lot next door, she closes her eyes and pictures heirloom tomatoes, a beehive, and a chicken coop.

What starts out as a few egg-laying chickens leads to turkeys, geese, and ducks. And not long after, along came two 300-pound pigs. And no, these charming and eccentric animals aren't pets. Novella is raising these animals for dinner.

An unforgettably charming memoir, full of hilarious moments, fascinating farmer's tips, and a great deal of heart, Farm City offers a beautiful mediation on what we give up to live the way we do today.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 05/25/2010
ISBN: 9780143117285
Pages: 276
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.50w x 0.80d

Review Citations: New York Review of Books 06/27/2010 pg. 20
Library Journal 02/01/2014 pg. 40