Reviews

Remembering by Wendell Berry by Wendell Berry

amberrue's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bobbo49's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 So, I haven't been reading the Port William series in strict order, because some of the books are harder to find. But this short (124 pages) one day piece (both the story itself and the reading) is literally breath-taking: challenging, beautiful, thought-provoking, reflective - a masterwork.

In midlife, having grown up on the family farm, left for college and work, rediscovered his love for the farmer's life and returned home to his multi-generational family, Andy Catlett loses his right hand in a farm accident. His anger at the world leaches into his family relationships, and he storms out. As the day of the book begins, he walks around San Francisco (where he has come for a conference) and reflects on what his life has been and may be, and on the meaning(s) of the world around him . . . and he gradually unravels what he wants from his life, and how to find that path. 

jacobs_books's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

tiffanyslack's review against another edition

5.0

Perhaps not his best, but Berry just speaks to my soul. This was the perfect way to spend my afternoon. This reminded me how much I want to return to the Port William stories, and as one of his earlier writings, it contained a good bit of his philosophy towards agriculture and place. There were also parts that reminded me of various poems, including my favorite line from "Manifesto: The Mad Farmers Liberation Front" - Be joyful/ though you have considered all the facts.

seanwpace's review against another edition

4.0

This was a tricky book at first read. I don't know if Berry is categorized as literary or southern fiction or both. Either way, I don't normally read this style of novel. Just reading the book and taking it at face value, I initially gave it 3 stars. This might have been due to the fact that it was required reading for a college course and I had a due date. But after I sat down and thought about the book, I increased the score to 4 stars. I began to see what Berry was trying to say and how he very skillfully used the characters and their personal struggles and the situations they were put in to convey his overall message. It's a really wonderful book when you sit back and think about what you've read. Berry is great at conveying the message in an almost subliminal way.

steve_freddo's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

heyhawk's review against another edition

3.0

3 1/2 stars

caleb_karnosh22's review against another edition

5.0

Wendell Berry is a gift to all those who love beautiful and thoughtful stories. This was a joy to read.

partypete's review against another edition

3.0

tries very hard to make a point. the best part of this in my opinion was the bit that compares machine farming vs a family of farmers. I found myself confused by the choices made with the plot and the direction that characters went in. it felt incomplete to me, but as per walter’s recommendation I’ll be checking out his nonfiction

samuelblakey's review against another edition

5.0

The natural human response to some form of tragedy is on full display in the life of Andy Catlett in this book. Yet through a series of memories and realizations, Wendell Berry creates a fitting and realistic redemption story for him. The ending is a little ambiguous, leading to a couple of questions, but the change of heart within Andy is easily perceived. Another great Port William story.