Hannah Coulter

My wife bakes a marvelous homemade pie that makes store bought pies seem like mud pies. There is substance and depth and richly balanced flavors and textures in my wife's pies.

"Hannah Coulter" is a bit like her pies. Wendell Berry's recipe gives substance and depth with those richly balanced flavors and textures that leave your heart warm, your soul satisfied, and your tastebuds wanting life at its best.

(Posted on 9/23/11)

i laughed i cryed i was in wonder i remembered i was emotionally attached to this memoir type story it jump around just enough to make it real just like grandma's storys i was bored only once and that was because i wanted to get to what i was waiting for but just like a good story teller you had to hang on to every word cause you might miss something crutial the ending left me wanting more but realy there couldnt have been more ... just like real life not knowing what comes next ..

(Posted on 9/13/11)

The reader of this book (Susan Denaker) does a simply amazing job - thoroughly convincing as Hannah - truly bringing her to life. However, I started the book thinking it would be a narrative. I was very disappointed to find that it is not. I do not normaly listen to / read non fiction and I was not familiar with the novel genre as pseudo-autobiography. I decided to give it a listen expecting a story with a distinct Christian message or at least content. In this book, while there is the odd scriptural reference mentioned in passing there is little to give a distinct "Christian" (vs simply good "religious folk") flavor to even the main characters". The only thing that would separate it from a "non-Christian" novel is the lack of bad language and overtly sinful behaviors. While the author does more than a masterful job of bring out the detail in the lives of the characters it often feels like too much detail and sometimes becomes simply tedious and chore to listen to. Nearing the end, I was tempted to not finish it at all. Other than the fact that I had invested so many hours listening already, I may very well have moved on to the next book.

(Posted on 9/8/11)

I thought this book was excellent! I just finished listening this morning and I am sad it has come to an end. The reader did a great job. I loved her voice. It made me feel like Hannah was really talking to me. I highly recommend this audiobook.

(Posted on 9/3/11)

Susan Denaker brings twice-widowed farm wife Hannah to life with soft-spoken but resolute dignity. As the 20th century closes and a new millennium begins, the elderly—yet fiercely self-sufficient—Hannah reflects on her past, especially the crucial threads of family, community and the soil. Denaker does an especially effective job of portraying the other figures in the “Port William Membership” in a manner that fits the approach of the first-person narrative. She adjusts the octave and tone of the male and female characters of varying ages just enough to set them apart from each another, but listeners can be certain that Hannah maintains full control of her own storytelling. The experience evokes a sublime visit to a beloved grandmother figure with memories and wisdom to impart.

(Posted on 1/6/11)

I've enjoyed hundreds of audiobooks in the last five years - mostly the classics. I think ChristianAudio's Hannah Coulter rivals the best the industry has to offer. Narrator Susan Denaker is marvelous. Wendell Berry is an American treasure - revealing deep truths in the tiny details of winsome, ordinary people. A beautiful, very moving book! Thanks, ChristianAudio. Well done!

(Posted on 10/21/10)

I have listened to hundreds of audio books in the last five years - mostly from classic literature. This rivals all the best work in the audio book book. The narrator is marvelous and a perfect choice for Hannah. Thank you Christian Audio - this is an outstanding contribution to the field - an important, undervalued American writer (who is a Christian) telling an important & undervalued story. Without exception the 15 or more people I've invited to read this book have all enjoyed it. Now - the audio!

(Posted on 10/21/10)

Susan Denaker brings twice-widowed farm wife Hannah to life with soft-spoken but resolute dignity. As the 20th century closes and a new millennium begins, the elderly—yet fiercely self-sufficient—Hannah reflects on her past, especially the crucial threads of family, community and the soil. Denaker does an especially effective job of portraying the other figures in the “Port William Membership” in a manner that fits the approach of the first-person narrative. She adjusts the octave and tone of the male and female characters of varying ages just enough to set them apart from each another, but listeners can be certain that Hannah maintains full control of her own storytelling. The experience evokes a sublime visit to a beloved grandmother figure with memories and wisdom to impart.

(Posted on 7/31/08)