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A review by book_beat
Fidelity: Five stories by Wendell Berry
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.