Details
Synopsis
An account of life among the Shakers. In 1972, while still a college student, June Sprigg spent a summer in Canterbury, New Hampshire, one of the last two Shaker communities in America. Here she provides a chronicle of daily life among one of the most remarkable American religious societies.
| Size | | Length: | 227 pages | | Height: | 8.8 in | | Width: | 6.0 in | | Thickness: | 0.8 in | | Weight: | 16.0 oz |
Industry Reviews
Sprigg, the author of numerous books about the Shakers, recounts her first summer with the Shakers of Canterbury, NH. In 1972, the 19-year-old Sprigg spent several months there as a tour guide, learning their personal and community history. At the time, only six elderly women remained. Sprigg writes with deep insight and affection about each of these women, encapsulating their unique personalities and daily life. In fact, the personality sketches constitute the strength of her story. Sprigg goes on to discuss the controversy between Canterbury and the other remaining Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, ME. Sabbathday Lake was recently the subject of Suzanne Skees's God Among the Shakers (LJ 4/1/98), and libraries interested in one of these books will want to get both. Sprigg includes a good, basic bibliography. Recommended for public and academic libraries. C. Robert Nixon, Free Lance, Lafayette, IN
Mayer
Sprigg, who has published several books (By Shaker Hands) about the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, or Shakers, spent three summers in the early 1970s living and working as a tour guide at the Shaker village of Canterbury, N.H. Although she never completely embraced the Shaker dogma, as a college student she was profoundly influenced by the months she spent with the seven aged Shaker women who were the only surviving inhabitants of the village. In this loving recreation of Shaker life, the author provides a history of the religion as well as interesting biographical sketches of the residents. Despite a strict belief in celibacy that was responsible for the dwindling number of adherents, Sprigg describes Lillian, Bertha and Gertrude, the three elders with whom she had the closest contact, as having led lives that included nurturing children who had been brought to their settlements. During the summers the author came to admire and respect their good-humored dedication to a life of prayer, hard work and nonviolence. And readers will feel deep poignancy in this engaging book when Sprigg writes, "The Shakers I knew best are all gone now." (June)
Lopate
YA-Sprigg recounts her experiences living for a summer in one of the last Shaker "utopian groups" in Canterbury, NH. She does a fine job of counterbalancing factual history with a look into the private lives of seven women. An understanding of the struggles and spiritual rewards of their lifestyle is offered through the author's observations and her examination of Shaker diaries and documents. Pen drawings enhance the narrative, and an extensive bibliography leads readers to a wealth of further information. Sprigg's writing style is readable and enjoyable, and she gives generous glimpses into the lives of a number of unique individuals.-Catherine Charvat, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA
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