This book is a wonderful tribute to Joan Errea’s father, Arnaud Paris. Originally a series written in the style of Basque Bertsolari, it has been translated into English. This heartfelt book includes an introduction by Pello Salaburu, which gives a little background and context for the stories in the book.
“On the prairies of Nevada in a camp that followed sheep,
He taught us how to deal with life although the trails were steep.
On the prairies of Nevada in a camp that followed sheep,
My memories of my father are wonderful and deep.”
Beyond its deeply personal story, this book is a testimony to the ranching way of life in the western United States. There is humor, love, and big personalities. This honest recollection also has illness, injuries, suffering, loss, and death. There are stories of her brothers, her uncles, and some run-ins with coyotes, cowboys, bears and bulls.
The foreword has a page with translations of a few Basque words such as Aita means father. There is also a page listing the characters in the book with their real names such as husband is Louis Errea.
The ending is very touching:“Many years have past and still my father’s memory brings tears. It’s been so sweet to write all this. I miss my father’s love and always will.”