Hannah Coulter suffers from supporting a supposedly feminine voice that focuses on the good work of all the men. It is horribly nostalgic and offers inadequate individual solutions to deep structural problems, solutions that would perpetuate the privileged groups' power. And yet--I cried for the last third of the book. Hannah reminded me of my collective grandmothers, from whom I'm estranged by time and distance and circumstance; their knowledge ever more denigrated by the contemporary. There was beauty in Hannah's life, beauty that has been destroyed and not replaced by anything equal. ( )

My first Wendell Berry book and still my favorite so far. ( )

I discovered this novel while researching the National Kenya Library Service. It was a quick read and I enjoyed my "visit" to Kenya. Transplanted Fiona has a passion for books (and perhaps her Western values). Kanika and Matani are two Kenyans who seem to particularly bond with her. ( )

Thought-provoking novel recounting the life of a noble elderly female farmer, through the eyes of the woman. Brings up interesting questions about the nature of progress, the importance of place, family and community. ( )