Troubled Intimacies: A Life in the Interior West

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The book delves into the complex relationship between individuals and the western landscape, particularly in eastern Oregon's Grande Ronde Valley. Through a series of essays, Axelrod reflects on his life experiences, exploring themes of faith, literature, and the impact of natural and human history. He contrasts the idealized vision of the American West with the realities of community life, revealing the struggles and rewards of finding meaning in a "wounded" landscape. Axelrod's narrative captures the quest for belonging and understanding in a richly layered environment.