Hannah Coulter seemed to bring our
Book Club to a rawness of familiarity and
longings. We understood her and learned
from her. We knew her well . Wendell Berry
tells her story as narrator with such depth that
you feel like you are sitting across from her as she talks.
She sees deeply, refects and that reaches your
soul to think upon your own life. Gratitude.
That is one of the themes as it is a story of her
thankfulness. Even when times were tough and
rough, love permeated her life. I long to be like
that. Read more here.
5 comments:
Bonnie, I read this book in one day, Tuesday. It so affected me that I could not sleep Tuesday night, thinking about it, about Hannah, whom I felt I personally knew, and about my own life.
As I read, I marked passages that stood out to me; I know when I read it again, I will find even more new insights. I can't help wondering about my own ancestors, some of whom lived in this exact way for generations....a life I have never known, nor my parents, nor my grandparents. I wonder what wisdom (from the land, to quote Phyllis Tickle) we have lost in these last three generations that could have taught us so much and brought us richer lives, richer in love and patience and the knowing of each other, instead of the dysfunctional family we were.
But, I must take a lesson from the pages of this book. As Nathan said to Hannah, "Don't complain about the chance you had...the chance you had is the life you've got."
And as Hannah further explains this statement to us: You can make complaints about what people, including you, make of their lives after they have got them...but you mustn't wish for another life. You mustn't want to be somebody else. What you must do is this: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks."
I wish you could have been there with us. Phyllis Tickle...have you read her book The Shaping of a
Life ( autobiography)? I think Berry helps us as literature can do , to see what we have lost or could have or do have. The Gospel permeated Hannah's thinking and yes, we get her lessons like you said. I love that final point to give thanks in everything. I have found myself this week saying that in my prayers to find the things to be thankful for in situations with my children and friends out of work, etc....It also has made me love my extended family better.
Not sure how that will look in reality but it starts in the heart.
An aunt of my 17 year old's girlfriend said to her as I picked
Alex up for that Coldplay concert: I would do anything for her. You are my neice and godchild.That impacted me so deeply and resonated from Hannah Coulter. What was extraordinary was her saying it, affirming love. That is part of what I hope to be remembered as.
Bonnie
I'm sure your group discussion was quite something...wish I could have been there too! Now I'm into "The Art of the Commonplace." The introduction itself was amazing. I'm on the second chapter now. This one takes thoughtful reading.
Sara,
I adore the first essay The Native Hill. I think he understands attention and holiness in a way I need to learn! Let me know what you think. I'll read your blog to see also.
Bonnie
Sara,
I adore the first essay The Native Hill. I think he understands attention and holiness in a way I need to learn! Let me know what you think. I'll read your blog to see also.
Bonnie
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