A Place on Earth

im a big fan. Riding my bike in Holland I always wish the ride had been longer while listening to his books

There have been just a few authors who, for me, have created a place and a cast of characters that fully engulfs you. Wendell Berry and Port William, Ky., is one. A Place on Earth takes place during the last few months of World War II as various families suffer loss, and not just from the war. The mock funeral performed by Burley Coulter, Jayber Crow and Big Ellis the night of the war's ending is by itself worth the purchase price. One of the most memorable books I've ever read. It's my third Port William novel and I look forward to reading the rest. William Berry is one of America's greatest writers. Ever.

christianaudio continues on its ambitious course to bring Wendell Berry's Port William Membership novels to the audio format with accomplished narrator Paul Michael once again demonstrating his tremendous range. Set in the closing months of World War II, Berry incorporates familiar characters from other works in the series without focusing on a particular individual or family. Instead, the town of Port William serves as the central protagonist, offering the uninitiated a Berry immersion course, though one that requires attentive and patient listening. The multiple story lines of loss and redemption weave together at a deliberate pace, much like the agrarian rhythms of planting and harvesting that Berry holds so dear. As always, Michael demonstrates a special knack for dialogue, especially the nuances of marriage, family and friendship in a rural community. Granted, when measured by the yardstick of the contemporary fiction marketplace, A Place on Earth can certainly be described as demanding, but the excellent production offers a feast of the senses for discerning audiences