The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

by Harold Bell Wright

I remember as well as though it were yesterday the first time I met Auntie Sue. It happened during my first roaming visit to the Ozarks, when I had wandered by chance, one day, into the Elbow Rock neighborhood. Twenty years it was, at least, before the time of this story. She was standing in the door of her little schoolhouse, the ruins of which you may still see, halfway up the long hill from the log house by the river, where the most of this story was lived. It was that season of the year when the gold and brown of our Ozark Hills is overlaid with a filmy veil of delicate blue haze and the world is hushed with the solemn sweetness of the passing of the summer. And as the old gentlewoman stood there in the open door of that rustic temple of learning, with the deep-shadowed, wooded hillside in the background, and, in front, the rude clearing with its crooked rail fence along which the scarlet sumac flamed, I thought, -as I still think, after all these years, -that I had never before seen such a woman.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Historical, Christian Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1919

About the author

Harold Bell Wright was a best selling American author of the first part of the 20th century.

Between 1903 and 1942, this minister-turned-author wrote nineteen books, several scripts for stage plays, and several magazine articles. At least fifteen movies were made from his novels. Seven of Wright's books appeared on the top ten best sellers lists, two of them twice, including a number one seller in 1914, a number two in 1916 and a third best seller three times.

He's best known for his work entitled The Shepherd of the Hills which was made into the well known, outdoor play, of the same name, performed in Branson, Mo.

Reviews

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a twist of fate that led me to Brian Kent. An accidentally spoken word, and a sudden, spontaneous change of plans. I had no idea that my River would bring me to Value Village, and this hidden gem. Indeed, this morning I wasn't thinking of my River at all.

There is a grace about Auntie Sue, a dignity, and a nobility. A generosity of heart. She just loves everyone like a force of nature, and you cannot help but love her in return. And what can I say about Brian Kent? He is a man that feels too keenly, battered by the events of his former life.

This book found me today, and I needed it today. It is a quaint, heart-warming, gripping, and satisfying story, about love, the power of love, and the price of it.
Literally unputdownable. Six hours well spent.

[Brian Kent]

I think anyone who has read this book should know this story. it was a very hot day in Colorado. I was a high school history teacher and every summer I would fly to LA. rent a car, and drive the country, all the way back to New Jersey. I was in a small town in Colorado, and I stopped to have an ice cream cone. Since it was very hot, I needed to find a store that had air conditioning. I looked down the street and saw a sign that said, "Air con" I went inside and it was a sort of junk store. As i got cooler i noticed there was a large row of books on a shelf. i could not see any of the names of the books. I reached up and grabbed a brown book. The name of the book was, "the Recreation of Brian Kent. I was in shock because.... that is my name, Brian Kent.

[Timothy McNulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by this author ( When A Man's a Man being the first )and while the setting is different this is a very interesting book and one I thoroughly enjoyed. It was delightful to see the way a individual can transform before one's eyes and only a very skilled author can bring about this transformation successfully. Harold Bell Wright weaves a very unique tale that keeps the reader waiting to see what will happen next.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about falling and redemption, this novel is worth the read. The ending is a bit odd, but the story is overall a positive statement about choice and change using the flow of a river as an analogy. This is another book written in the first part of the 20th century and is a part of my grandmother's treasure trove of books I am reading. It is a view of life that is much different from what we now experience, making it a view of from where we came.

[Trish Boese · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* Another great old-fashioned story, filled with inspiration. I like the unusual circumstances the author uses to give drama to his stories. In this novel, an embezzler tries to commit suicide on the river, but fails. Auntie Sue saves and "re-creates" the man by believing in his worth, and helping him believe it too.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

New fav

Harold Bell Wright has become my favorite author.i? I have enjoyed his books, the ones that i have read are well written

[Arthur Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harold Bell Wright's novels have a simplistic quality about them. This one, published in 1919, feels as if it could have been written during the previous century. If one is willing to accept that (and I did in this case, after a spell) one can derive enjoyment from his books. He has an ability to write in a clear and compelling fashion, though he gives his characters stilted and flowery dialogue. But Mr. Wright was a hugely popular author and is from my hometown, so I'm more sympathetic towards his works than I might otherwise be. This one has some autobiograhical elements and a action-filled climax. As an ex-minister, he has a message to convey, but he doesn't hit one over the head with it and it is quite painless.

[Devonne West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Harold Bell Wright for years and this book did not miss the mark. I always think of O. Henry when I read his books because the ending is always a pleasant surprise. This book is a story about a bank clerk Brian Kent. He has embezzled money and in a suicide attempt in the river, he ends up in the simple log cabin of a retired schoolteacher, Auntie Sue, that is barely making ends meet but is beloved by all. She takes him in and nurses him back to health but the law is after him, and Auntie Sue learns that she is actually one of this man's embezzlement victims. Will he go to jail? How will Auntie Sue survive without that missing money? Will he ever be able to repay her?

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent idea but the ending really really dropped the ball on this one. I know a lot of people like this book and this author but we did a podcast on this book and neither of us liked the way the author handled it.

https://redcircle.com/shows/gutenberg...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing change of pace from the demands for vengeance and punishment for even minor infractions, to the possibility of reform and restitution when the person behind the behaviour is acknowledged and encouraged. I love the comparison of life to a river. Sweet book.

[Ron Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a pleasant, easy and heart warming read! Sometimes you just need a book to call out the truth and push higher aspirations for our contemporary world. I would love to go live in a cabin in the Ozarks with Auntie Sue for a few months.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully writen

A story of strife, redemption, struggles and love. The author takes you back to a time when life was simple. I couldn't put it down.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

first book for me by this author and I loved it, very feel good , so well written, will look on Ebay for more

[Brooke Swarey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on change and forgiveness.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite Wright books, but good nonetheless.

[Suellen Tutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this several times and every single time it still delights me.
Old fashioned. Clean. Interesting. What else could you ask?