Hannah Coulter

A Novel

By: Wendell Berry

Narrated by: Susan Denaker

In the latest installment in Wendell Berry's long story about the citizens of Port William, Kentucky, listeners learn of the Coulters' children, of the Feltners and Branches, and how survivors "live right on."

"Ignorant boys, killing each other,” is just about all Nathan Coulter would tell his wife about the Battle of Okinawa in the spring of 1945.

Life carried on for the community of Port William, Kentucky, as some boys returned from the war while the lives of others were mourned. In her seventies, Nathan’s wife, Hannah, now has time to tell of the years since the war.

©2005 Wendell Berry (P)2008 Christian Audio

Thoughtful

I listened to this in April/May. It is now December & I still think about this book often. It is slow, but sweet & thoughtful. A most thought-provoking story!

A vanished America

Listening to Hannah Coulter is like remembering the first time you met your grandmother, or perhaps for some a great grandmother. This story of the people and the place that is home is poignant and compelling. An oral history of an America long gone.

Life Philosophy

I felt as though the author was telling me her well thought out feelings about her life.Very Good, I like talking about feelings and life and living.

Part of the Membership

Susan Denaker makes this book come alive. The story of Hannah draws you in, and you feel like for the span of eight hours, you’re part of the Port William membership. I didn’t grow up in an agricultural community, but listening to Hannah Coulter awakens the longing to belong to a place. To carve out existence from an untamed piece of land. There is also that welling up emotion that makes you want to hold on tight to those you love, the family and friends that God has placed in your life. I loved the words of Lydah Branch to Hannah, “We have done so much sewing together that she says we have sewn ourselves together.” It’s those kinds of relationships that I want to continue to cultivate in my life. This is my second time listening to Hannah Coulter, but I am quite sure it won’t be my last. So many different thoughts and emotions this time though. The first time I wasn’t married, and was looking forward to the day I would belong to someone. In this season I’m thinking about caring for my husband and family, and those around us. Working hard to lean into the “yoke” of my life. What it means to be faithful where God has planted me.

Wonderful story

What a peaceful, melancholy story. I think I’ll relisten again. How I wish I could live the life of acceptance and happiness as Hannah did.