Simple Living: One Couple's Search for a Better Life

A couple tells how they gave up their material world of the 1980s to pursue the Jeffersonian ideal, working a family orchard in the Blue Ridge Mountains

They were DINKs (double income, no kids) living in Los Angeles. Levering scripted B-movies; his wife Urbanska was a journalist and author. In 1986, in their early 30s and weary of their treadmill existence, they made an abrupt change by moving to rural southwestern Virginia to run the Levering family orchard. They hoped to combine that work with freelance writing careers. How they made the adjustment is an interesting and inspiring story. Levering's parents were active Quakers whose commitment to service outweighed practical matters, and the orchard was in debt. Urbanska had to overcome doubts about being surrounded by her husband's relatives and maintaining her independence. In the end, things worked out. If the authors sound smug at times, they probably deserve to be--they had the courage and determination to turn their lives around.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Many people in the United States and throughout the world practice "simple living" because of monetary restraints, but they would quickly complicate their living styles if they could afford to. Levering and Urbanska (husband and wife) willingly chose to simplify their lifestyle when they returned to Virginia to help manage an orchard, leaving behind successful writing careers in Hollywood. Seeking to reinforce their decision, they interviewed people throughout the United States who have made similar choices. They discuss the problems faced when making a major change in lifestyle and share insights into their philosophy of conscientiously working for a better world. Libraries will find an audience for this title in the small but growing minority of people advocating a simpler way of living.
- Marguerite Mroz, Baltimore Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.