The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
jordancweinstock's review against another edition
Didn’t realize how frustratingly conservative Berry could be at times, but there are moments to be gleaned from here
storybookvisitor's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
dllh's review against another edition
3.0
I had never read Berry before and had always sort of meant to. I was a little disappointed in what I read of this collection (I skipped a few pieces). There is a sort of ethics in his thinking that appeals to me, but there is also at times a rigid curmudgeonliness that makes it hard for me to think of Berry as other than... "old man shakes fist at clouds." There is beauty in some of his writing, though sometimes he also belabors the extended metaphor a bit. If this book is representative of his writing overall, I reckon I'd like half or less of his writing and feel either pretty cool to or outright annoyed by the rest.
vverbatim7's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
borgh's review against another edition
5.0
Some of Berry’s best; convicting, spiritual, wise, transcendent. Feels like he’s reading a paper from 2022 but the publish date is something like 1964. I’d assign it as required reading for anyone.
Bonus: the audiobook is read by Nick Offerman and it’s excellent.
Bonus: the audiobook is read by Nick Offerman and it’s excellent.
melissahoward's review against another edition
4.0
So there were essays that were dull - but I also made pages and pages and pages of highlights from this book. I also sent boatloads of texts with quotes to a dear friend from this book. I am sure my friend is glad that I have finished it.
aidenmuraca's review against another edition
4.0
A great collection of thought provoking essays. Touching on climate, farming, place and home and how to thoughtfully connect to your community.
The only reason it doesn't get five stars for me is the repetion of the themes of the essays in the first third. This has nothing to do with Berry's writing, which is vivid and thoughtful. However as a collection, for the casual reader it offers a bit to be desired, especially as it is evident there are other essays that could have been swapped in for a more varied reading experience.
The only reason it doesn't get five stars for me is the repetion of the themes of the essays in the first third. This has nothing to do with Berry's writing, which is vivid and thoughtful. However as a collection, for the casual reader it offers a bit to be desired, especially as it is evident there are other essays that could have been swapped in for a more varied reading experience.
aniblaahh's review against another edition
5.0
Every so often you come across a writer who completely and eloquently sets out some of your own random early thoughts, but in a way you could never set out yourself. Wendell Berry is that writer for me, with such perfect timing I found this book. I'm sure it's one I will come back to time and time again, finding something new every time.