The Bucolic Plague, How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers, by Josh Kilmer-Purcell

[reviews_and_ramblings]

As soon as I read about The Fabulous Beekman Boys on a friend blog, I so much wanted to see the reality. But here in Italy it was on a cable network and it was a little expensive to pay for a year subscription just to see 10 30 minutes passages. So I set down to buy the DVD as soon as it was available… just to discover they didn’t deliver it in Italy (actually in Europe) since it was available only for US. I even tried to buy it on streaming when I was in Mexico, and no, actually it’s not even allowed in South America… I was starting to resign myself to wait for October, my planned visit to NYC, when last night, I discover an economic format of the DVD (not the 2 disc edition I was moping on) that was available for Europe and of course I bought it immediately (should arrive soon). And since I was there, I went to my wish list and was almost buying the paperback version of The Bucolic Plague when I noticed it was available on Kindle! Yes, instant gratification, what is better in life?

Just to not sound as a complete idiot, I should probably explain why I’m so fascinated with this venture of Beekman 1802. I actually tried myself to realize my run from stressful job life change dream, but with no success; my little venture, the first coffee-bookstore open 7.00 a.m. to 2.00 a.m with wireless internet, bistro kitchen in medieval Italian historic centre on its first year of life was featured on the 2 most important travel magazine in Italy, was the subject of a bachelor degree thesis in finance as innovative business and hosted a national television channel showtime for one day… to close after 2 year due to the fact that, in the end, it was not enough to maintain itself and the people working for it. So yes, I’m vicariously enjoying Brent and Josh’s success and I wish them all the good in the world, and I’m here cheering for them and their goats, and Farmer John, and Doug and Gareth from The American Hotel, and Sharon Springs and Bubby the bionic cat and everyone in this story.

Yes, I’m still eagerly waiting for the DVD to arrive, but I think that now I will see it in a different way; since, from the outside, everything seemed perfect on that mansion, the pictures were wonderful, the recipes just out of an historical cook book, the dream even too easy to realize. I was thinking, lucky them, they are living an American dream (do you know that here in Italy, when someone realizes the dream of their life, we say it’s an “American Dream”?), and I’m happy, but also a little envious of them. Then reading the book, I understood that it was not so easy, that they, like many other before them, not only risked their future, but also their relationship. The story has an happily ever after, but it’s a “barely” stretched one, and in a way, it’s not even so sure the dream will survive its third year of life. True, the story closes before the reality showing them was aired, and now it’s at its third season, so maybe, in the end, they managed to survive third and fourth year and they are leading towards always greener pasture… again I wish them all the best.

Coming back to the story, even if this is not a fiction book, but more a memoir, the writing style is really easy and flowing, and sincerely it reads without any stopping like many of the romances I love, only that this is real life. There is even a funny story behind this dichotomy between real life and fictional story: way before I heard about the Beekman Boys, I included Josh Kilmer-Purcell on my Top Book of XXI century with his memoir I’m Not Myself These Days. I still remember some years ago going to his website and looking at the pictures of his life as Drag Queen and thinking, well, what an interesting man. It was 2006 and Beekman Mansion was, I believe, not in the picture (pun intended). Years later, browsing another website (www.beekman1802.com) I firstly didn’t recognize the co-owner of the mansion like the memoirist that so much fascinated me. But if you will decide to read the book, there is a lot of him in this story (of course, it’s real life!) and in a way, you could read this book as a sequel of I’m Not Myself These Days, just to know what happened to that Drag Queen… it’s an happily ever after story (at least until now!).

Amazon: The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir
Amazon Kindle: The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (March 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061997838
ISBN-13: 978-0061997839

Fabulous Beekman Boys
Actors: Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Brent Ridge
Directors: World of Wonder Productions, Inc
DVD Release Date: May 31, 2011
Run Time: 300 minutes
Amazon: Fabulous Beekman Boys

The Fabulous Beekman Boys documents the adventure of a lifetime, as Brent and Josh try to make their entrepreneurial venture a success without sacrificing their personal relationship. The farm is home to a menagerie that helps produce everything from egg white soap to cheese, but with Josh still living in the city to earn a paycheck and Brent living full time at the farm dealing with the day to day tasks, the couple have created a recipe for conflict. They try to make the most of their weekends together on the farm now that their getaway has become their latest project, but there s always more work: be it a harvest weekend, book signing or launching a new flavor of cheese. There s a lot on the line but the "boys" are driven to fulfill their dreams.

The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook: Heirloom fruits and vegetables, and more than 100 heritage recipes to inspire every generation
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Sterling Epicure (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140278709X
ISBN-13: 978-1402787096
Amazon: The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook: Heirloom fruits and vegetables, and more than 100 heritage recipes to inspire every generation

Welcome to Beekman 1802, in Sharon Springs, NY--the historic home of The Fabulous Beekman Boys, Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge. Josh and Brent star in the popular show on Planet Green TV, and they have built a worldwide reputation for their goat's milk soaps and superb, artisanal Blaak cheese.

Together, Josh and Brent have created a gorgeous cookbook that is “heirloom” in every sense of the word: they showcase heirloom fruits and vegetables; offer delicious heirloom recipes from farm, family, and friends; and include a section in the back of each chapter so you can personalize the book with your own treasured recipes--and create a unique keepsake to hand down to your family.

From springtime pea pod risotto and summery strawberry shortcake to quick braised collards in autumn and yummy chicken 'n' dumplings for a snowy winter's day, this is simple yet luscious farm-fresh fare that everyone will love.








The American Hotel


Bubby






Josh and Brent

Reading List:



http://www.librarything.com/catalog_bottom.php?tag=reading list&view=elisa.rolle

Comments

[evila-elf.livejournal.com]

My friend gets the channel that they air on, and she had saved some episodes for me to watch when I visited. They are strangely addicting! The llama totally steals the show! ;)

But at that time, it wasn't available on DVD. Oh, so tempting to buy...but I am broke. *tries to stay away from Amazon*

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

yes, I think it will be the same for me, now that I know there is season 2 and 3 I'm all to buy it as soon as possible.

[reginaclarejane.livejournal.com]

oh, i love these guys. :)
and for something like this to be such a big hit here in america- it's encouraging.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I hope it will be an hit for a long time