Nathan Coulter

By: Wendell Berry

Narrated by: Paul Michael

This, the first title in the Port William series, introduces the rural section of Kentucky with which novelist Wendell Berry has had a lifelong fascination.

When young Nathan loses his grandfather, Berry guides listeners through the process of Nathan's grief, endearing the listener to the simple humanity through which Nathan views the world. Echoing Berry's own strongly held beliefs, Nathan tells us that his grandfather's life "couldn't be divided from the days he'd spent at work in his fields".

Berry has long been compared to Faulkner for his ability to erect entire communities in his fiction, and his heart and soul have always lived in Port William, Kentucky. In this eloquent novel about duty, community, and a sweeping love of the land, Berry gives listeners a classic book that takes them to that storied place.

©2009 Wendell Berry (P)2009 christianaudio.com

Critic reviews

"The Coulter family, like the rest of the people who dwell in this tiny farming community...are caught on the wheel of nature, which is at once blindingly beautiful and unwittingly cruel....The narrative is stunning, the natural scene is beautifully evoked." ( Los Angeles Times)

A perfect picture

A beautiful, gentle, but uncompromising portrait of a place and a time we won’t see again.

Narrator and Story

Loved the narrator! The story was excellent as well. Wendell Berry is always good, but a good narrator makes all the difference.

I read Jayber Crow first

After having read Jayber Crow, this seemed not as good. If I’d read this first, I’m not sure I would have gotten to Jayber Crow and I’d hate to have missed it!

Good story for 200 mile trip

I’m reading Berry’s book, Jayber Crow, which I think I’m going to be so sad to finish; it’s that kind of story.. As I browsed Audible for an audio book for a 200 mile trip, serendipity brought me this one. This too is a lovely story, and just the right length.

Hometown memories

Wendell Berry weaves a bittersweet story that takes me back to my own hometown. I know these people as I love them.