A Gravestone Made of Wheat

by Will Weaver

A Gravestone Made of Wheat is a collection of stories set against the beauty of Midwestern farm landscapes and small-town life. In every story Weaver brings sympathy and sensitivity to the rhythm and variety of American life-- illuminating the lives of the down-and-outs and the indomitable among us-- and in the process he solidifies his promise as one of our most gifted new writers.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Book Club, Historical Fiction, Anthologies

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

I grew up in the Midwest, and had no idea I'd become a writer one day. However I gradually felt a need to tell my own stories. To explain, in writing, how I saw the world.

Today I'm a full time writer with 13 novels, many short stories, and two movie adaptations. I enjoy visiting schools and libraries, and sharing what I've learned about writing.

My newest novel POWER & LIGHT (Sept 2023) is now out. The first of a two book adult saga, it follows the arc of a Norwegian emigrant family to the Midwest–their hardships and ultimate triumph.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I, too, came to this book through the movie Sweet Land, which was a beautiful period piece. Unlike the short story, the film really fleshed out the characters' personalities and established an endearing intimacy with this viewer. The short fiction story was at a loss for telling details, which was surprising. At its heart, Weaver still wrote a good story, but I think the film did a better job of conveying the depth and intensity of emotion these characters faced.

The other two stories I read in the book weren't bad--I think of the stories in the collection all based in rural Minnesota and conveying the values and quirks of its people. While I enjoyed the reads, I was not especially compelled to continue on. This is one I will probably pick up again someday.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gravestone Made of Wheat is probably the most beautiful short story I have ever read. I am very impressed with this author and plan to read ALL his works. I had to seek out the movie that was based on this story and I was not disappointed in that either. This story holds a special place on my shelf. I re-read it often. It's so ironic to read a story of a female immigrant who came without papers and left...well- just read it.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think 3.5 stars is more like it. It has its moments.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know when you read a collection of short stories, you often realize the author has simply reused one or two main characters and sprinkled them through all the tales?
I'm happy to say that Will Weaver doesn't do that.

While 2/3 of the stories are centered around or have a component of mid-western farming (the man was MN farm kid-- "write what you know," right?), these characters were so vastly different that it was a pleasure to keep turning pages and not find anything recycled.

Honest, real and engaging. I read this in one sitting.
Definitely looking up more by Mr. Weaver.

[Dan Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short review for a short story. I read "A Gravestone made of wheat" and it is an odd and beautiful little piece on how two people can create Love and Family out of Nothing. I say Nothing but that is not quite right. Olaf and Inge both share a Trust that Olaf's parents are not steering Inge in the wrong direction. It is that Trust that is the seed and from that seed the two of them create their own World for themselves.

Olaf realizes this at the end: "She was real, Olaf thought, only to those who knew her, who loved her. And that, Olaf suddenly understood, was the way she should remain. As in her life, her death."

[Troy Tradup · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He ran his hand through his hair, that is, where it used to be. I remembered his hair, coppery, then pale yellow, then white, then gone. Women remember more things than men. Men's minds drive straight ahead like a fast training heading down the tracks, but along the way things keep loosening, slipping off, disappearing. Women's minds are longer, heavier, more tightly packed because they don't lose or just plain give up on what's past."

[JulieAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having a Masters in English, this work is comparable to short stories I read in my coursework. I particularly enjoyed the You Are What You Drive story that followed the life of a Buick LeSabre. Also enjoyed The Cowman and the idea of home as the strongest tie. The Trapper was a brilliant Poe metaphor of out with the old ideas and in with the new. Those should lead off the story sequence though I do believe he at least ended the book with the best.

[Spruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of wonderful short stories set in Minnesota.

[Karen Bousselot · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story (same as the book title) was made into an Amazon original film call "Sweet Land."

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little story. I can see Minnesota horizons melting over the fields even as I type!

[Tricia Velure · Rating 5 out of 5]

A soft, quiet and profound story. One of my all-time favorites! And in a rare occurrence, the movie based on this book is just as charming. Check out Sweetland after you read the book.

[Jerry Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the stories. Weaver is a talented writer.

[Laura Baugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: this review is only for the titular short story, which apparently is not listed alone on Goodreads.

Like many, I read this story in conjunction with the indie film "Sweet Land." I have to say that the two are quite different, and it's hard to compare them. (Minor spoilers ahead.) The film's frame story didn't really work for me, as I found it hard to tell whether we were supposed to be sympathizing with the grandson Lars or surviving Inge, and then it seemed the problem would be Lars' decision whether to sell the farm (and the film's conclusion seems to underscore that as a primary question). The burial at the end does not conclude any part of the beginning. However, the period story of Inge's coming to America and her and Olaf's struggle to marry is very good, and it is the bulk of the film.

The short story deals primarily with Olaf's frustrated desire to bury his dead wife on their farm, as she wanted, despite recent health laws which prohibit it. This has a much more satisfying answer than the film's frame question of the farm's fate. However, the story of Inge's coming and marriage is much briefer and sparser.

On its own, without the film, "A Gravestone Made of Wheat" is an interesting story, sad and sweet.

[Kim Randell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on this book of short stories at a rummage sale in rural North Dakota. Several months later a friend was describing a great movie she had just seen at the Fargo Theatre called Sweet Land - which it turns out was based on the title story of A Gravestone Made of Wheat.

These stories felt familiar to me - the characters are multidimensional and the details are accurate. If you have ever lived in western Minnesota or the Dakotas, you will recognize the stories in this collection. They capture the feel of the Midwest and the characters will remind you of those nice folks you once met from Rugby, North Dakota.

[Marne Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Will Weaver is a great writer, but his style is much like the people from the Great Plains that he writes about, as he doesn't mince words and doesn't waste them either. His stories can be heartbreaking, but they capture the rhythms and life of the prairie much better than any others I have ever read. Now to see if I can manage to make it the whole way through his novel Red Earth White Earth this time. Last time I had to give up because it was so devastating, and I was only half-way through.

[Kelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to find this book at a thrift store. I had seen the movie Sweet Land and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I looked to find the book it was based on I was disappointed to find out it was only a short story. Usually books have more details than the movie and I wanted to know more about the characters. I am surprised they made a movie out of how little was written. The other stories in the book did not appeal to me. Just not my style. Someone else may enjoy the topics, but I found some of them disturbing.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable and thoughtful short stories, set in the Midwest. Stories are for the most part heartfelt and somewhat sad, so don't read these looking for comedy. A few of the stories are quite memorable: the Bread Man who sees himself as G-d's gift to women (and who usually is...), the heart-broken widower who only wants to bury his wife on his own farm. Not a beach book for sure (funny that I was given this book in the heat of the summer!), but quite lovely nonetheless.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ironically, this had one of the same problems as the movie - I wanted things to be much more fleshed out. (Movie is called Sweet Land and is really cute.) I wanted to know more about these characters, who they were and the in-between bits you don't get to see. The ending was sweeter in the book, in a way that almost made me want to cry.

[Cristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good collection of Weaver's short stories. Most are set in Minnesota. It details the lives of your average mid-western people and the families around them. A few good quotes.
I originally came to this book through the movie 'Sweet Land', which is based on the first of the short stories in the collection.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually what I've bought for my Kindle is just the gravestone made of wheat story but it's not listed on here singly. I bought it after watching the fabulous film Sweet Land.
The writing is spare and somewhat unemotional. It reminds me of Annie Proulx's.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really only read the title short story, the rest I had a hard time getting into. A Gravestone Made of Wheat is a fantastic uber short read, but being first in the book, I found nothing really else compared.

[Becky]

I just watched an Independent film based on this book and I loved it. I often find books through movies. If you're a film lover too, check out "Sweet Land."

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving short stories that highlight moments of awareness of self in one's world and the limits and potential to influence that world

[Christina]

The title story is the basis for the movie "Sweet Land".

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

short stories set in midwest

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Arne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2

[Roxi]

I watched this movie called, "Sweet Land". It was based on this story. I liked the movie, so I hope I like the book.
It's a love story.

[Cambray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title story is my favorite short-story of all time.