Jayber Crow
I read so many reviews that praised Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry that I knew it would be worth reading.
At the beginning of the book I thought it was like Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, because everyone close to Jayber died. Then his life as an orphan was reminiscent of David Copperfield and Oliver Twist. His journey from college back to Port William was like The Odyssey as he made his way over the flooded Kentucky landscape after being away for twelve years.
The entire book consists of stories within the larger story of Jayber's life. It's like a family gathering where one can listen to the older relatives tell about events in their lives. Mr. Berry celebrates community in families and in rural areas. He also unabashedly preaches his agrarian sermons from time to time, but they don't spoil the book.
I've only read this and Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry, but they are both definitely read-and-recommend novels.
Labels: books
posted by Laura at
7:51 AM
5 Comments:
All my blogging buddies read Wendell Berry. I've read only one essay by him in a book about health.
Maybe I'll give him and Port William another try....in 2009 :)
I am an unabashed fan of Wendell Berry. He's not perfect, I know, but his writing never fails to inspire me to live a life more whole, work hard, be thankful, and see the grace of God in life around me. He just came out with a children's book, a real gem.
I like your comparisons of this book with other literary favorites. I read it and enjoyed it, too.
Great review! He's one of my new favorites. Jayber Crow was his first work that I read, and I've only managed to read Hannah Coulter since. I have a couple of his on the back burner, though.
Great review. I've been hearing a lot this book so I think I will give it a try myself.
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