Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

[hippywife]

In over five decades of voracious reading, this is my favorite book of all times. Partly because I love Wendell Berry so much and mostly because it's a beautifully written book, as one might expect from Mr. Berry.

Hannah is 80 some years old, twice widowed, who still lives on her farm in rural Appalachian Kentucky. As she walks the acreage, she reminisces about her life and the people in it. Mr. Berry writes such lovely characters, even in their faults, and sets them in such a beautiful place, not unlike where he's lived himself for decades.

I first read this book several years ago, not knowing it was part of a series. I went on to read the entire Port William series, and enjoyed all of it, but Hannah has a special place in my heart. I have since re-read it and probably will again. If I were to start the series new, I would still read Hannah first, as for me it provided the most thorough and intimate portrait of the community, referred to as The Membership.

If you're unfamiliar with him, Wendell Berry is an environmental activist, a self proclaimed Christian who condemns no one except those who would condemn others for such reasons as being homosexual. Even as an atheist, he's become a very special person to me over the years, reading his essays and poems.

He's 87 years old now, and his time with us is not long. I wish he were my grandfather and I could sit with him and listen to everything he has to say. I'm glad so much of what he's had to say is available to read and listen to, and will be forever.