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brookreadingbooks's review
5.0
My favorite book of all time. As with all of Berry’s work, each story makes you feel emotion that you can’t quite put words to. The first page of “Pray Without Ceasing” absolutely took my breath away, and that story in particular I have thought about over and over again in the months since I’ve read it. Take your time with this book. I will definitely be rereading 1 or 100 or 1000 times.
abigail_leigh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
leucocrystal's review
5.0
I'm pretty sure every sentence Wendell Berry writes is just a thing of exquisite beauty. I kind of want to read everything he's ever written now, after coming across two such gorgeous pieces of work.
annarocks's review against another edition
3.0
Fidelity: strict observance of promises, duties, etc.
I liked it well enough. Each story was a reminder that people are what matter. Relationships are the important thing in this world. Who you are, what you do...none of that matters without love, commitment, loyalty, fidelity toward other people. It was worth reading.
I liked it well enough. Each story was a reminder that people are what matter. Relationships are the important thing in this world. Who you are, what you do...none of that matters without love, commitment, loyalty, fidelity toward other people. It was worth reading.
scrabblerz's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars without a moment's hesitation.
I'm glad Mr. Berry has a whole catalog of novels and stories I can treat myself to now that I have finally taken the time to read some of his work. Karen Merriam put his Port William novels on my radar years ago, but they never bubbled up to the top of the pile. Nick Offerman's book Gumption, which I read last month and thoroughly enjoyed, has a chapter on Wendell Berry, which contains the following passage:
Offerman goes on to say of the stories collected in Fidelity, that he was "simply gobsmacked at...their beauty and humor and emotional specificity."
This collection of five stories is stunning and goes on my short shelf of 5-star books to treasure and read again one day.
I'm glad Mr. Berry has a whole catalog of novels and stories I can treat myself to now that I have finally taken the time to read some of his work. Karen Merriam put his Port William novels on my radar years ago, but they never bubbled up to the top of the pile. Nick Offerman's book Gumption, which I read last month and thoroughly enjoyed, has a chapter on Wendell Berry, which contains the following passage:
"Because I am such a student and adherent of Wendell Berry's writing, this chapter, and hopefully this entire book, will contain much less hyperbole that I would sophomorically like to apply to it. Wendell, if you have so run out of useful things to do as to be reading this, I must warn you to prepare yourself to endure some compliments, but, out of the respect for economy that I am very slowly learning from your own work, I will do my best to refrain from over-egging the pudding.
Wendell Berry is the greatest writer ever to have sharpened a pencil. Dang it. That was not a good start. But you are stuck with me, such as I am, so let's just press on with best intentions."
Offerman goes on to say of the stories collected in Fidelity, that he was "simply gobsmacked at...their beauty and humor and emotional specificity."
This collection of five stories is stunning and goes on my short shelf of 5-star books to treasure and read again one day.
charity1313's review against another edition
5.0
Classic Wendell Berry - everything I expect from his writing and from Port William novels but in shorter story format. I found the soldier's story to be remarkable, particularly for someone who has never been to war. His ability to write both from a male and a female perspective is also impressive. His empathy and eloquence know no bounds.
book_beat's review against another edition
5.0
“I know [grandpa’s] hands, their way of holding a hammer or a hoe or a set of checklines, as well as I know my own…. The shape of his hand is printed on the flesh of my thigh as vividly as a birthmark. This man who was my grandfather is present in me, as I felt always his father to be present in him.” — Fidelity, Wendell Berry
As a reader, I enjoy when a story gives voice to my own. I rest in words that sharpen my everyday images — images that can otherwise dull with repetition. I feel my brain spin, looking for a memory, to understand my feelings, and then it slows with comfort in a connection; my story and his. I read to learn about others, and sometimes I read to learn about me.
Wendell Berry’s FIDELITY is a short story collection about Port William and its members. The stories are more action-packed than his other short story collection THE WILD BIRDS but still very contemplative. And they are more distinctive from each other (I found THE WILD BIRDS to be very cohesive and stories seemed to flow into one another).
My two favorite stories from this collection: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING tells of Mat Feltner’s death though the eyes of his grandson, who also learns the unbelievable death of his great-grandfather. And FIDELITY, the title story, tells of the life and death of Burley Coulter (I believe this is the only story dedicated to his character, who is quite possibly my favorite character in all of Port William). Suffice to say, that one will linger with me.
Do you read an author to learn about yourself? And (I ask this a lot but never tire of hearing your answers) do you have a favorite Berry title? It’s time to start my next.
As a reader, I enjoy when a story gives voice to my own. I rest in words that sharpen my everyday images — images that can otherwise dull with repetition. I feel my brain spin, looking for a memory, to understand my feelings, and then it slows with comfort in a connection; my story and his. I read to learn about others, and sometimes I read to learn about me.
Wendell Berry’s FIDELITY is a short story collection about Port William and its members. The stories are more action-packed than his other short story collection THE WILD BIRDS but still very contemplative. And they are more distinctive from each other (I found THE WILD BIRDS to be very cohesive and stories seemed to flow into one another).
My two favorite stories from this collection: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING tells of Mat Feltner’s death though the eyes of his grandson, who also learns the unbelievable death of his great-grandfather. And FIDELITY, the title story, tells of the life and death of Burley Coulter (I believe this is the only story dedicated to his character, who is quite possibly my favorite character in all of Port William). Suffice to say, that one will linger with me.
Do you read an author to learn about yourself? And (I ask this a lot but never tire of hearing your answers) do you have a favorite Berry title? It’s time to start my next.
pagesandstitches's review against another edition
5.0
Pray Without Ceasing: 5
A Jonquil for Mary Penn: 5
Making It Home: 4
Fidelity: 5
Are You All Right?: 4
A Jonquil for Mary Penn: 5
Making It Home: 4
Fidelity: 5
Are You All Right?: 4
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