Reviews

The Memory of Old Jack by Wendell Berry

dave37's review against another edition

5.0

When I am out of sorts, I reach for Wendell Berry to reconnect to what matters - family, friends, the land. Berry's prose requires you to slow down and think in order to take in all of the facets of its apparent simplicity, and that is a blessing. Not just the richness of his language, but the slowing down. Getting to know more of the Port William Membership is always a gift.

apotter's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

bobbo49's review against another edition

5.0

 Yes, I do absolutely love this series of Port William stories. This one is about one of the original settlers, Old Jack Beachum, born in 1860 and died in 1952. Mostly set in the last year of his life, he reflects back on all that he has seen, felt and experienced in his long life on the farm, all of the changes that the country and the world have gone through, and what he thinks it means (or doesn't). He is not impressed by the changes wrought by technology, by the exodus to the cities. "The new ignorance is the same as the old, only less aware that ignorance is what it is. It is less humble, more foolish, and frivolous, more dangerous."

As always, Berry's writing is beautiful and captivating, and his characters' behaviors and reflections are substantial food for thought. 

summermorning's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

crystalmarier's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

3.25

My least favorite Wendell Berry book so far. Not as captivating as, Jabber Crow, Hannah Coulter, or Nathan Coulter 

jan2bratt's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it! Exactly the style of writing I enjoy most. It reminded me a little bit of DHLaurence in his descriptive passages. I'm definitely keeping this one for a reread.

sssnoo's review against another edition

4.0

Lyrical prose that lets you experience rural farming Kentucky life during the first half of the 20th century. Old Jack is both ordinary and extraordinary in his devotion to his farm, hard work and sense of duty. He reflects on pain and disappointments as well as love and triumphs in his long life. It made me think about mortality and what a good life lived means. It made me miss my mother who passed away earlier this year.

cah242's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful and heartbreaking and life-affirming. A portrait of an old farmer, told through his memories on the last day of his life. The writing is perfect, as simple and straightforward, and as deeply poetic, as Old Jack himself. Berry paints a picture of the goodness of man and of a man without giving a sermon. He lets Jack pine for older days of being connected to the land and to your "people" without coming across as blindly nostalgic.

It pains me how much like Glad Petit I am, how steeped in modernity. I hope I can somehow learn to apply the lessons of Old Jack in my life.

flaimster's review against another edition

5.0

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Beautiful storytelling. For a shorter book, it took me a while to read because the pace of the story and the structure of the writing was lyrical. If it wasn’t a library book, I would have highlighted so many sentences. Highly recommend and take your time.

ljcostel's review against another edition

5.0

Really compelling. The audio book reader is excellent.