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That Distant Land
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Initial Impressions: That Distant Land, by Wendell Berry - August 2022
I started the book of short stories, and find them delightful. I recognize some of the stories since he expanded some of his short stories into the first chapters of his novels. As always, it's wonderful spending time with the Feltners, the Coulters, the Catletts, Old Jack, Jayber Crow, and more. Burley still has me laughing!
I hope to get to this book later in the month.
I've had my copy ready to go. Maybe I will get started and read one a day. But knowing how much I love Berry, it might be hard to put it down once starting. I'm looking forward to getting my fix of Port William!
Just got the notice from the library that my copy is ready for pickup. I'm hoping, like Lori, to read it one story at a time, but recognize how hard that will be.
Mod
I am loving these stories so far. Definitely going slow too. Berry is taking us back to 1888 and giving us a century’s glimpse of Port William. I’m on the 4th story told by Andy Catlett who is learning about his great grandfather-Ben Feltner. A few new characters in the first 3 shorter stories such as Ptolemy Proudfoot and Athey Carter.
I've started The Time It Never Rained and I'm not sure how these two books would work being read at the same time. I might try to finish the one before I start the other. Really looking forward to this, however; seems like a long time away from Port William for me.
Mod
I loved meeting Ptolemy Proudfoot and Miss Minnie in the third story, "A Consent." Tol has such warmth and a wonderful sense of humor that I enjoyed all the stories about him.
I'm going to fit this one in since it's available in audio format from Hoopla. One story at a time for me and maybe I can hold on to them without distraction.Port William is like our yearly SLT get-away retreat.
Mod
I am clearing out my current reading to read The Time It Never Rained and these stories. Berry is a new author to me, and with all of the praise I am hearing, I am really looking forward to this!
Terry, I didn’t know Berry is new for you, I am thrilled that you will get to experience him. These being stories you will get a glimpse of his storytelling. I also plan to start The Time it Never Rained as soon as I finish up my other read. We are in a drought in Texas right now, so it will be apt.
Terry - You are going to love Berry, I think. You have some amazing reading ahead of you.Lori - You only have to walk outside your door and you can feel and see the conditions Kelton is describing. Hope you don't have to wait that long for some rain!
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Connie wrote: "I loved meeting Ptolemy Proudfoot and Miss Minnie in the third story, "A Consent." Me too Connie.
Loving the narration in the audio book.
I never heard of a darning egg. My mother taught me how to darn the wool socks she knitted using a light bulb. Always one to find multiple uses for an object. Do any of you recall using a glass soda pop bottle with holes punched in the metal cap filled with water for ironing? Jeez, I'm dating myself for sure.
Cathrine, my mother had something like that but I don’t think it was homemade. I think there was a special cap that would fit on a bottle to sprinkle the clothes with. I remember sitting with her to watch the afternoon movie on TV while she ironed my dad’s shirts — movies like Clementine with Henry Fonda. She would let me do the easy stuff, like handkerchiefs or skirts. My brothers and my sister were probably down for naps, but I could never take naps, so my mother gave up trying.
We always used a "sprinkler" when we ironed, Cathrine. No such thing as a spray nozzle on an iron back then. I had one for years and years after they no longer had a use, but lost it somewhere in the multiple moves. I never darned, but the lightbulb made me laugh--sounds so like my mother, multiple uses for everything.
I was actually laughing out loud at the end of the bidding war for Miss Minnie's cake. "Good Lord Gil, I'll make you a cake!" 🤣
Mod
I still use an iron on my mom's 70+ year old ironing board because I'm a quilter, and also a lover of cotton and linen clothes. But the next time I use either could be the last.
Cathrine, I remember my grandmother had a darning egg for darning socks. It was probably porcelain, and actually looked like a white egg from a distance. The light bulb is a good idea but might be too large for children's socks.
At 2 hours listening time on audio Watch With Me was a long one to get through. At points I felt like I was traipsing through the woods with the men after Nightlife. I liked it though. Such a testament to friendship. Later on Fidelity is the same length but I read that some years back and may skip it this go around. These two are really novellas rather than short stories.
I finished Watch With Me today. Yes, it was quite long. I had no idea what was going to happen. Those were a group of dedicated men.
There was a real sense of community and friendship in "Watch With Me." The ending was a real eye-opener since often we really don't "see" someone who is different.
A Half Pint of Old Darling, 1920I beg to differ with Miss Minnie about not wanting to be smarter than your husband, although mine probably wishes I was more like her. She was as a lamb to slaughter in this one, lol.
It sure made for a lively story about assumptions she made about Tol. I guess she didn’t realize what the Old Darlin would do! I actually thought the title was referring to Miss Minnie in some way because she’s small and sweet. Anyhow, I keep seeing Andy Griffith in my mind when Tol Proudfoot is part of the story.
I liked Miss Minnie's thoughts about the whiskey:"If the devil made sin attractive, then she would have to admit that he had done a splendid job with Old Darling."
It must have been tough during Prohibition when family members took opposite sides on the Prohibition question.
"Thicker Than Liquor" (1930) is another look at the effects of alcohol. I felt sorry for Wheeler to have to take care of the situation with his uncle, but family looks out for each other.
Mod
So special Diane. I was touched by that dedication. I'm also reading a collection of Stegner essays, slowly, Wolf Willow and trying to recall if I ever came across one dedicated to Berry. I'll have to do some checking. His name was certainly mentioned in one I read a ways back."The Lost Bet" was one where I kept losing my focus. not sure if it was me or the story and I'm not sure I took it in. I may try again later.
"Thicker Than Liquor" was sad but true to the issue on both sides.
Mod
Diane, I read that one a few years back and glanced at my review where I made mention of Berry, so that must have been the one.'Nearly to the Fair' brought back road trips with my dad driving. He would not stop and ask for directions either.
'A Jonquil for Mary Penn', also in the Fidelity collection, was a pleasure to read again.
Mod
Diane wrote: "I just picked up this book and read the dedication: I dedicate this book to the memory of Wallace Stegner. What a coincidence! I am reading a book of essays by Stegner right now, and one of them is..."That is so cool that you happened to be reading Stenger, Diane! The dedication to him made me pretty sure I would love this. I've only read Angle of Repose but it blew me away and has me committed to making my way through his entire catalogue eventually.
Like Terry, I'm new to Wendell Barry. I started on this last week but my library only had an audio version. I was doing well with it until the longer fourth story "Pray Without Ceasing ''. I kept getting distracted during that and had to restart it at least 4 times!I decided to break down and buy a copy since I could tell I was going to love it (and Wendell Barry). The hard copy description mentioned that it listed his books in Italics within the timeline and also had a family tree. Those things will come in handy when I get around to his other books. I have it now and will be restarting with reading one per day.
So far I love how these stories are moral without moralizing. I'm finding this time and place to be comfortable and cozy with hardworking people making the best out of their lives with humility and dignity.
The Hurt Man reminded me of The Good Samaritan story in the Bible. It was even more touching the way a mom wasn't even trying to give a lesson but her actions showed her son how to love a stranger.
Don't send a Boy to Do a Man's work It was strange how the regulators wore hoods like the KKK in order to make themselves feel more powerful and it was funny how everyone knew them by the horse or mule they rode anyway. I loved the ending where Athey sees their humanity even after their abuse of power and manages to feel sorry for Peg Shifter.
A Consent This one was adorable. Tol (who I thought was "Tall" from the audio) and Miss Minnie were the perfect opposites. I love the image of the big strong Tol with the tiny miss Minnie. I've known a few couples who were like this and they made/make good partners. Like Catherine, I laughed after the cake bidding war too but only after my heart ached from growing 3 sizes! Tol is my favorite character so far.
Pray Without Ceasing I bonded with this story much better in print. It was a wonderful story about how tragedy can shape a family. Having a such a great Matriarch, this family was more defined by forgiveness than by tragedy.
All of these stories so far are quietly powerful. I'm looking forward to reading all the rest!
Mod
I have promised to buy the paperbacks for Berry’s novels but only one at a time as I read them. They are that special to have and look so nice on the shelf. I’ve bought kindle deals of some of his essay collections. Anybody read and enjoyed an essay collection? I need to choose one of the several I have to read this year. Any particularly good ones I’ll take suggestions.
Sue, I’m just so happy you are enjoying Berry! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on one of the Port William novels. You just can’t help falling for this place and these people. 💕
Diane and Lori, nothing beats a hard copy. I don't reread very often but I love having the book to look at and remind me of the great experience of reading it. It's similar to the good feelings you get when you look back on a photo from a favorite vacation. Kindle definitely has the great advantages of not taking up space and being able to highlight and if it's significantly cheaper I often go that way.
I already can't wait to get to those books, Lori! I have to try and fit them into one of my challenges next year.
It's always such a pleasure to read Berry on The Trail, but doubly so when there are new fans.The following article may be of interest to some.
“Your books seem conservative. They are actually profoundly revolutionary.” Wallace Stegner to WB
"Whenever the country struggles with a new man-made emergency, Berry is rediscovered. A Twitter feed called @WendellDaily recently circulated one of his maxims: “Rats and roaches live by competition under the law of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy.”
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
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Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "It's always such a pleasure to read Berry on The Trail, but doubly so when there are new fans.The following article may be of interest to some.
“Your books seem conservative. They are actually p..."
Thank you for that article, Cathrine. No wonder Berry is able to handle these characters with such a loving touch. He's an amazing character who seems to walk the walk unlike most advocates. I loved his "Boomers and Stickers" categories. This comprehensive article make me want to read his books all the more.
"Making It Home" 1941 was a moving story. Arthur Rowanberry was injured in the war after serving in western Europe. It's the story of his homecoming, and his thoughts on a long walk from a bus stop.
Mod
Diane wrote: "Today is Berry's birthday! 88 years old!"He's an amazing man - still writing well at 88!
That’s so awesome that we’re reading this on his bday! Happy Birthday Wendell Berry!!!
Happy Birthday Mr. Berry! It seems that healthy lifestyle is working well for him.
Lovely article, Cathrine. Thank you. Happy Birthday to a wonderful man who has given us so much joy!
On the Southern Literary Trail
Books mentioned in this topic
The Memory of Old Jack: A Novel (other topics)Requiem by Fire (other topics)
Requiem by Fire (other topics)
Angle of Repose (other topics)
Wolf Willow (other topics)
More...
FYI: An audio version of this book is available from Hoopla.