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bobbo49's review
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.
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
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
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
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
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
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
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.
radiodarrenfm's review
4.0
I have no deep, meaningful insights into this, but to say that it’s a wonderful example of humanity and world building.
For such a (reasonably) short book to build such a big world is almost obscene. It carries on in a sense, where Nathan Coulter leaves off, introducing us to more and more of the residents of Port William. And not just the contemporary ones, either. Told partly through remembrances and flashback, Berry guides us through some of the families that will go on to become fixtures of Port William, while digging deep into the particular story of Andy Catlett.
As for the humanity; my overall feeling at the end of this book is that I want to leave my job as a welder in order to join a farming commune in rural Kentucky. I want to be part of that small society, helping my neighbours harvest their produce and milk their cows. I want to hike along rivers, and through forests, hitch up the mules to take sacks of corn to market. I want to know more about those among whom I live. And that’s a wonderful feeling for a simple book to install.
I have a couple of other books on my list to read first, but once I’ve finished those I think I may cue up the rest of the Port William series and read the lot.
For such a (reasonably) short book to build such a big world is almost obscene. It carries on in a sense, where Nathan Coulter leaves off, introducing us to more and more of the residents of Port William. And not just the contemporary ones, either. Told partly through remembrances and flashback, Berry guides us through some of the families that will go on to become fixtures of Port William, while digging deep into the particular story of Andy Catlett.
As for the humanity; my overall feeling at the end of this book is that I want to leave my job as a welder in order to join a farming commune in rural Kentucky. I want to be part of that small society, helping my neighbours harvest their produce and milk their cows. I want to hike along rivers, and through forests, hitch up the mules to take sacks of corn to market. I want to know more about those among whom I live. And that’s a wonderful feeling for a simple book to install.
I have a couple of other books on my list to read first, but once I’ve finished those I think I may cue up the rest of the Port William series and read the lot.