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billmorrow's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
3.0
This Alabama author based his novel on a real man whose little home I got to see in person in south Alabama. A surprisingly interesting book for me.
tommyhousworth's review against another edition
4.0
When retired philosophy professor Henry Stuart learns he is dying, he decides to leave his home of Idaho - and his boots - behind, traveling barefoot to Fairhope, Alabama to live out the remaining year of his life in a small colony. Inspired by the writings of Tolstoy, Henry espouses his beliefs on organized religion, the value of hard work, and how we treat one another. He also weaves in lessons from Buddhist monks and Black Elk of the Lakota people.
Known as "the hermit of Fairhope", he's more the poet of Tolstoy Park, a tract of land he named and built a round hut upon, with a bed high in the air requiring a ladder to access. Henry is eccentric, yes, but his diagnosis - and the recent death of his wife - have brought him to reassess what matters and he is determined to make the best of the time he has left. That means giving away his boots so he can feel his bare feet on the earth, working with his hands, and balancing a life of solitude with kindness to others.
The result, from a literary perspective, is more a character study than a plot-driven narrative. At times, the story moves slowly, describing Henry's building of his hut with the same detail Thoreau dedicated to describing his natural experiences in Walden (definitely an inspiration for Brewer). Still, Henry is such a fascinating - and fascinated - man, it's an easy journey to take.
Known as "the hermit of Fairhope", he's more the poet of Tolstoy Park, a tract of land he named and built a round hut upon, with a bed high in the air requiring a ladder to access. Henry is eccentric, yes, but his diagnosis - and the recent death of his wife - have brought him to reassess what matters and he is determined to make the best of the time he has left. That means giving away his boots so he can feel his bare feet on the earth, working with his hands, and balancing a life of solitude with kindness to others.
The result, from a literary perspective, is more a character study than a plot-driven narrative. At times, the story moves slowly, describing Henry's building of his hut with the same detail Thoreau dedicated to describing his natural experiences in Walden (definitely an inspiration for Brewer). Still, Henry is such a fascinating - and fascinated - man, it's an easy journey to take.
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
2.0
My coworker friend who recommended "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" simultaneously recommended the book "The Poet of Tolstoy Park". She brought both in to work with her, and as I stated, I devoured NWND, but I've been really struggling with the TPOTP. Not only has my mind be sidetracked by the spring temperatures, house projects, and other prior engagements, but I've also opened this book a dozen times, read a few pages, and then decided to put it away. As of right now, I've only made it to chapter three out of thirty seven.
It's a very intellectual book, and written eloquently...but I believe this to be the hang up for me. I get bogged down in those words, the complex and eloquence make it hard for my mind to wander into the imaginary world that the author is trying to create. Maybe my intelligence isn't high enough to grasp what Brewer is trying to create for the reader...maybe I haven't read far enough into the story to be grasped. Either way, I'm setting this one on hold, in hopes that at some point, I'll pick it up again and be able to lavish this novel as my coworker does- she's read it a dozen times.
It's a very intellectual book, and written eloquently...but I believe this to be the hang up for me. I get bogged down in those words, the complex and eloquence make it hard for my mind to wander into the imaginary world that the author is trying to create. Maybe my intelligence isn't high enough to grasp what Brewer is trying to create for the reader...maybe I haven't read far enough into the story to be grasped. Either way, I'm setting this one on hold, in hopes that at some point, I'll pick it up again and be able to lavish this novel as my coworker does- she's read it a dozen times.
chasing_dallas's review against another edition
4.0
This book is an example of why I love good reads. I would probably not have found it if I had not read one of my connections review. This is a slow meandering book that is full of philosophy and provoking thoughts. I really enjoyed it even though it is not my typical book. I actually was dreading trying to read it for fear it would be too slow, but in the end I could not put it down.
erinbottger's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this semi-historical story of senior Henry Stuart who up-ends his life in Nampa, Idaho to relocate to Fair Hope, Alabama in 1925 for health reasons.
Brewer starts the book with Henry's doctor's prognosis and his choice of Southern destination. The retiree then divides up his earthly goods and says farewell to two adult sons and close friend, Pastor Will Webb. As a widower, Henry, once a professor, is now unencumbered and he begins going barefoot in anticipation of a new life in the footsteps of his hero, CountLeo Tolstoy.
The book then takes him South via train, then by steamer across Mobile Bay to the community of Fair Hope where he meets his new neighbor, Peter Stedman. Peter has purchased land and supplies for him in advance. Thinking he might have only a year to live, Henry vows to lead a simplified, productive life to the end, and following a major tropical storm, puts aside his books and writing in order to construct a circular cement "hut" he designs to live in. He pushes away his new friends- Peter and his wife, and the teacher Kate and her young daughter- in order to make his own cement brick structure by himself and meditate through physical labor. The amazing and practical feats of the solo construction project, in the end, drive the TB from his body and allow him a new lease on life.
In the final section, Henry comes out of himself and begins contributing to the community, aiding with post-storm repairs, delivering lectures on Tolstoy and Robert Frost, weaving rugs on his loom and greeting visitors to his Tolstoy Park Estate. Through it all, his final 20 years in fair Hope he revels in the beauty and nature of the woods and seashore, enjoys the companionship of his friends, and philosophizes about meeting death head-on.
The structure created by the real-life Henry stands today as a monument outside of Fair Hope. Author Brewer has brought to life the figure of the sage and man on this personal quest, fleshing out the thin historical evidence on Henry Stuart.
I quite enjoyed the book and the rich language used to tell the tale.
Brewer starts the book with Henry's doctor's prognosis and his choice of Southern destination. The retiree then divides up his earthly goods and says farewell to two adult sons and close friend, Pastor Will Webb. As a widower, Henry, once a professor, is now unencumbered and he begins going barefoot in anticipation of a new life in the footsteps of his hero, CountLeo Tolstoy.
The book then takes him South via train, then by steamer across Mobile Bay to the community of Fair Hope where he meets his new neighbor, Peter Stedman. Peter has purchased land and supplies for him in advance. Thinking he might have only a year to live, Henry vows to lead a simplified, productive life to the end, and following a major tropical storm, puts aside his books and writing in order to construct a circular cement "hut" he designs to live in. He pushes away his new friends- Peter and his wife, and the teacher Kate and her young daughter- in order to make his own cement brick structure by himself and meditate through physical labor. The amazing and practical feats of the solo construction project, in the end, drive the TB from his body and allow him a new lease on life.
In the final section, Henry comes out of himself and begins contributing to the community, aiding with post-storm repairs, delivering lectures on Tolstoy and Robert Frost, weaving rugs on his loom and greeting visitors to his Tolstoy Park Estate. Through it all, his final 20 years in fair Hope he revels in the beauty and nature of the woods and seashore, enjoys the companionship of his friends, and philosophizes about meeting death head-on.
The structure created by the real-life Henry stands today as a monument outside of Fair Hope. Author Brewer has brought to life the figure of the sage and man on this personal quest, fleshing out the thin historical evidence on Henry Stuart.
I quite enjoyed the book and the rich language used to tell the tale.
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