-- NEWS --
— Upcoming —
Reading & Artist Reception: Pastoral Stories of Shepherding
October 30th, 5 PM at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT
An evening of words and images in celebration of two stories that are separated by nearly a century, but joined by the timeless rhythms of shepherding and their connections to Vermont. Then, celebrate the art of the Coach Barn, including a new installation, the Nine Square Wrap Project.
Helen Whybrow will read from her memoir, The Salt Stones: Seasons of a Shepherd’s Life, and Jody Gladding will read from her translation of Jean Giono’s novel, The Serpent of Stars.
Re-released Spring 2026!
The Serpent of Stars
by Jean Giono
Translated from French by Jody Gladding
The Serpent of Stars takes place in rural southern France in the early in the 20th century. The novel’s elusive narrative thread ties landscape to character to an expanse just beyond our grasp. The narrator encounters a shepherding family and, glimpse by glimpse, each family member and the shepherding way of life is revealed. The novel culminates in a large shepherds’ gathering where a traditional Shepherd’s Play—a kind of creation myth that includes in its cast The River, The Sea, The Man, and The Mountain—is enacted.
— Recent —
Back Roads Readings presents:
Celebrating the Poetry of David Budbill
Sunday, July 19, 3 PM, Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, VT - FREE
This program will weave together David's prose-like poems about people and place in Northern Vermont with his simple-yet-poignant ancient Chinese-inspired poems - creating an incantation of words and sound for mindful presence, justice, and compassion.
This event is free and will be followed by a reception.
For more information about the Back Roads Reading series, contact Lisa von Kann, backroadsreadings@gmail.com or visit
http://www.backroadsreadings.org.
