Book Launch~Chris Murphy book, "Far Out"

Connell House is happy to host the launch of the Chris Murphy book, "Far Out" , the story of the migration of educated youth who left the comfort of urban life to move to the remote outback

of Nova Scotia in the 1960's.

Safe the date : May 13, 2025 at 7 pm Connell House

The Book

Far Out! The Untold Story of the ‘60s-Inspired

“Back-to-the-Land” Migration that Changed Nova Scotia

“Could you imagine today that thousands of educated young urbanites would drop everything and migrate to the remote hills and valleys of rural Nova Scotia to create a better life? Far Out ! is a timely, candid, and often hilarious story of the idealism, failures, unexpected alliances, and the lasting influence these back-to-the-landers have had on their adopted province.”

- Costas Halavrezos, former CBC Radio host, and author of “Seasoned: Recipes and Essays from The Spiceman"

The 1960’s were marked by radical social change and political conflict. Many young people rejected the politics and values of the day and decided to “drop out” and leave their cities and towns for an alternative life in the country. A diverse group of hippies, draft resisters, home-steaders and seekers were seeking an independent and sustainable life on the land. This unlikely migration took many of them to the hills, valleys, and coasts of Nova Scotia where it’s “far out” location, cheap land and helpful neighbours provided an opportunity to build a good life. Unprepared and lacking important rural living skills, many became discouraged and eventually left. However, a surprising number stayed and found different ways to adapt and build productive lives in their communities while contributing to the viability and diversity of rural Nova Scotia at a time when it was struggling.

Using the insights and stories gleaned from hours of interviews with those who remained, Far Out! Describes in their words how this unlikely migration of young city kids overcame the challenges of rural living. It tells the story of how an interesting and diverse group of people had the character, conviction and creativity to build sustainable lives in a place that had defeated many others. It describes how despite their differences they developed valuable relationships with their neighbors and, because of their differences were able to contribute in different and important ways to their new communities. Like most immigrants, they brought with them new energy, values, ideas and practices such as organic gardening, health foods, alternative energy, environmentalism, new arts and crafts and a variety of different businesses. In return, their neighbours shared their rich traditional culture, vital local knowledge and friendship.

For today’s generation of would be back to the landers, this unusual migration story of more than half a century ago is both timely and inspirational. For all those who lived through that truly transformative era, it will bring back nostalgic memories of an interesting time and place in their lives