First published 2012
Michael Perry drives one valley over to spend time with Tom, his elderly neighbor in rural Wisconsin. These regular visits become a ritual that connects two generations in small town New Auburn. Tom brings decades of experience, sharp wit, and the stubborn independence that defines his generation. Perry finds himself drawn to the old man's stories and perspective on life in America's heartland. Their conversations range across the landscape of memory and place, revealing the character that emerges from small town living. The visits offer Perry something he didn't know he was searching for. Through Tom's eyes, he discovers the enduring values and resilient spirit that anchor communities like New Auburn. This relationship becomes a bridge between past and present, showing how wisdom passes between neighbors who take time to really see each other.
Genres: family-life, biography-memoir, 21st-century, americana
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, mentor-mentee
Setting: New Auburn, Wisconsin
Period: 21st Century
310 pages · Hardcover · Harper