Recently Read Books: Hannah Coulter

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

I bought this book because a reader with great taste (check out her blog at  www.thoroughlyalive.com) absolutely loved it. She said someone had given it to her to read with these words: "Read it slowly. It's too precious." I had tried Wendell Berry before and was skeptical of this high praise, but I started to read. I must say, I did not read it slowly: I started in the late morning and finished by suppertime. And then I laid my head down on my couch pillow and cried. I have not been so deeply "moved" (the word my students would choose :-) by a book in a long time. This book was beautiful, and indeed "precious." The beauty of the story is difficult to explain, since it is merely Hannah Coulter telling her unremarkable life story of growing up and living and farming outside of a small Kentucky town near the Ohio River. And yet, to read this story is to enter into the mystery of the human experience in its beauty, sorrow, questions, sweat, joy, and sense of belonging. The two main themes that achingly stirred my soul were:

     1) Hannah's sense of belonging, her sense of "home" in this community as well her sense of belonging in the beauty of the fields and the woods
     2) The intangible oneness, stitched-together-in-soul-ness that formed the bedrock of this couple's life which was full of hard work and constant wrestling with the land

A brilliant author is one who can write unremarkable stories of normal humanity in a way that somehow connects the reader with the preciousness of life under all it's daily struggle. Reading this book is like drinking a long, cold drink from a good, deep well on a hot summer's day. A drink that goes straight to your soul.

Scenes: A Day

 Snapshots from Morning Class:

Heads were spinning after I drew, explained, and quizzed my students on all the relationships in my family tree. I was truly thankful that I was behind the podium and not at a desk in a Chinese class on family language, because I would have been in tears. The myriad of Chinese words which describe each specific family relationship (with different words for those on your mother/father's side) is a mammoth task which I have not yet attempted to master.  But here I was, announcing that my students were going to draw out their own family trees and explain them in English. As I walked around the room, I saw papers slowly, sometimes painfully, filling up with Chinese names and English labels. One in particular caught my attention. Here was a visible illustration of how family size has drastically decreased in the last generation. I felt like I had stumbled upon a sociological microcosm, snapshot, or log, and so I asked if I could take a picture. Admittedly, the family tree was not finished because there were still cousins to be recorded. But I was fascinated.

And here are two more family trees on a single sheet of paper:

                                                         Seen At lunchtime:

Any time the sun comes out, the laundry will too. And in the most unlikely places. As I was leaving the cafeteria, I spotted a worker's scaffold doing double-duty as a clothesline, probably for one of the families who works in the cafeteria.

Last week I noticed that the flowering trees outside of the classroom building were also serving as a clothesline, or, the most beautiful coat-rack I'd ever seen.

Beholdings from Afternoon class: 

My friends Larry and Jim, who have served me faithfully since my first year in China, and  have participated in every lesson on "Small Talk" conversations. Today, they did not fail to charm this term's new students despite their limp necks and rattly eyes. (The uncomplimentary descriptions referring of course, to the puppets.)

Spied On the Street:

While walking back to my apartment, I saw this ominous message in plain sight, right on a main campus thoroughfare! No one else seemed disturbed, but I would have felt better if Christian Bale was in Nanchang. (Since Heath Ledger obviously was.)

                                                         

 Views from the Evening

My living room:

My student's face, wet with the tears that come with expressing the worries of approaching graduation and facing the horrors of society's high-pressured rat-race.

English Corner:

Familiar faces. New faces. Freshmen and sophomores surrounding me in a tight circle, talking. 

The dorms:

Beloved students. Laughing. A girl biting into a fresh cherry tomato and spewing the juice in my direction. 

The campus:

Students practicing rollerblading on the huge, smooth, sunken concrete circle in front of the Students' Center Building. Couples on their evening walks. Outdoor exercise equipment clinking together as some students complete their work-outs in the dusk. The neon blue of the lakeside lights reflected on the water through the willows. The long, empty stretch of campus road curving around the lake and up to the foreign teacher's apartment building, which I call home.

Some of My Top Favorite Books

---A few of my favorite books of all time, from the top of my head (that means I am not looking at my bookshelves (since most of them are in America), so I will probably forget many other favorites L). I guess these books would be ones that shaped my thinking in seismic ways, or touched me to the core of my soul. J

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner (fiction)

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather  (historical fiction)

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (historical fiction)

In the Arena by Isobel Kuhn (biography)

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler (fiction)

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury (fiction)

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Barry (fiction)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (fiction)

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (fiction)

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss (spiritual/fiction)

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose (biography)

Hind’s Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard  (allegory)

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azur Nafizi  (nonfiction)

Cross-Cultural Conflict by Duane Elmer (nonfiction)

Cross-Cultural Servant hood by Duane Elmer (nonfiction)

The Valley of Vision (devotional/Puritan prayers)

                               What are the books that have shaped you?

Falling in Love in a Classroom

In the autumn of 2008, a brand-new English teacher arrived on the campus of ECIT, in the city of Nanchang, China. Everything around her was drenched in sweat; the cafeteria was so steamy she couldn't eat, and the apartment was bare and dusty. She wondered if she would ever feel at home.

On the first day of class, the school assigned her to the wrong classroom; she plopped her teaching bag on the podium only to be approached by a nervous student, “Um, sorry, teacher, this is Japanese class.” The next half hour was spent walking back and forth across the campus that seemed so large (to a small-college grad) as she tried to find her students. At last, the monitor met her at the doorway of the correct building. “I’m so sorry,” he said. She followed him to the classroom, nervous and off kilter. What would it be like?

A posse of four boys sat in the front row, one boy’s hairdo sprouting like a haystack from off his head, identifying the fun that was bottled up inside of him. The other students filled the room, unsure of this teacher who looked much different than the blonde Americans they had seen in the movies. The teacher handed out papers with English names on them, and, mistaking a student with short hair and baggy clothes for a boy, she made her first faux pas as she offered the girl a boy’s name. The new teacher spoke too fast, and the students’ English level was low, so low that it would prove be the worst level she would ever teach during her years in China. This class would prove to be the most unruly, irresponsible, unmotivated group of students that she would ever teach in Nanchang. In days to come, she would walk on top of the desks to get them to be quiet, offer them academic points for merely bringing a pencil to class, use a cookie sheet as a barrier between a chronic cheater and his classmate’s exam, and discover that a student had climbed in and out of the third floor window during a break. But at this moment, as the new teacher and the new freshmen experienced each other for the first time, none of this even mattered.

Because she was falling in love.

In years to come, when she would remember times with her “crazy class” (as she began to call them), she herself was mystified. What had caused her heart to fall for those students in such a deep way? Why did she sob, heartbroken, when she thought she would not get to teach them the second semester? How did she put up with all the ridiculous, schoolchild behavior that happened in that classroom? Why did she worry about them so much? How did this class irrevocably knot the emotional rope that bound her heart to this place?

She didn't know why.

But somehow, that first class had found a key to a part of her heart that she did not know she had. They were the first ones to unlock the hidden door, surprising the teacher and themselves with what they discovered inside. There was a fountain of love and fierce loyalty that had previously been untouched.  And it belonged to them.

These motley freshmen would not be the only ones to win her heart.

But they were the first.

Books I Can't Seem to Finish

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner  (fiction)

One of the top five books I have ever read is Stegner’s “Crossing to Safety,” but so far none of his other books have had the same effect on me. While "Crossing to Safety" is acknowledged as a trulygreat book, "Angle of Repose" won the Pulitzer. So far I cannot really get into it. I would love for someone who has read it to inspire me to finish it, or tell me it’s ok to give up. J

The Life of Pi by Yan Martel  (fiction)

This book won so many great reviews that I thought I would love it. But I kept waiting for the story to grab me and it never did, so I gave up. I think I probably did not read far enough. The movie was quite popular here in China, so I feel like I should either read the book first or just give up and watch the movie. I would be glad for anyone’s advice. If you convince me to read the book, that would be fine, too!

The Gate of Heavenly Peace by Jonathan Spence (nonfiction/history)

I know Spence is “the man” when it comes to writing about China but this book intimidates me! I do want to finish it someday, but I am wondering if any of you Spence readers would have any other recommendations for books that I should read before this tome? J

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry (fiction)

I heard that this book was amazing, and it seemed well thought of at Wheaton, so I bought it. Even the ticket collector on the Chicago suburb Metra had heard of it! Although Berry is a good writer, the book has not given me a reason to continue plowing through its slowness. I am fine with slow books (“Death Comes for the Archbishop” is one example of a very slow, but profound book) if they grab me with profound-ness and great writing. This book has the good writing part, but the profound-ness seems lacking, and the author has not made me connect with the characters in a way that would keep me going (as McDermott does in her slow tales of families). I just read Berry’s "Hannah Coulter", and LOVED it, so magic has come from this writer’s pen! But so far "Jayber Crow" is a very long drawn out self-account of a man wandering back to the town he grew up in. I know more is to come, but I am not compelled to find out. If any of you "Jayber Crow" fans have some thoughts to share, I would be glad to hear them! 

Books I'm Halfway Through

Bridge Across broken Time by Vera Schwarcz (nonfiction)

The description of this book got me, and so I bought it. The book itself is actually less meaty (unless I’m just too dumb to grasp all the meat!) than I was hoping for, but Schwarcz is a great writer. Her premise/theme is quite interesting: as the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors, and a scholar on China, she explores the role and nature of memory in both Jewish and Chinese cultures as it relates to processing grief and times of national crises. So far, I feel like I am reading poetry, but not getting as many profound thoughts as I’d expected. We’ll see, though.

My Antonia by Willa Cather  (fiction)

One of my favorite books of all time is Willa Cather’s “Death Comes for the Archbishop” (beautiful and slow, like a great poem, but phenomenal in its theme of questioning how one must deal with/interact with another culture in a way that “the other” can understand), so I have tried some of her other books since reading my favorite.  I did not enjoy “The Professor’s House”, but I decided to read her most famous work, “My Antonia”. It is the retelling of a life of an immigrant girl (who grew up in the newly-settled West) from the perspective of her old neighbor boy.  Cather is a wonderful writer, but so far the story has left me without an idea of its purpose. That is why I am only halfway through. I would love for those of you who have read and enjoyed it to give me some encouragement/reasons to plow through. 

Recently Read Books: God is in the Manger

God is in the Manger Dietrich Bonhoeffer (devotional)

I read this during Advent and truly enjoyed it. I was looking for Advent readings that were actually profound, and this one delivered. The compilers occasionally substituted another writer’s thoughts for Bonhoeffer's in some of the selections, but most of the thoughts are his. Advent Scripture readings are fully written out after the devotional section. This book will make you think in fresh ways during the Advent season. 

Recently Read Books: A Song I Knew by Heart

A Song I Knew by Heart by Brett Lott  (fiction)

This book had great reviews, so I read it. J Lott is a good writer (one of the first thing that makes or breaks a book for me J), but the story disappointed me. It had great potential and was good in many ways, but it ended up being totally predictable because of his overt uses of the names from the book of Ruth. (Folks unfamiliar with the book of Ruth might not figure out the story line so soon, but I think Lott should have had the sense not to take such chances.) Personally, I can’t stand Christian fiction in general (usually because of bad writing), and so this technique of Lott’s distracted me into suspicions that he was writing a cheap novel instead of a serious work of fiction. (This book was not supposed to be in the category of “Christian fiction”). The ending made me feel like I was right. However, Lott’s writing ability and his discussion of serious themes carried me through a good bit of the story. I would have to say it stands a notch above the kind of genre I can’t stand. J The themes are: forgiveness, grief, rediscovery of hope, and intimacy based on vulnerability. 

Recently Read Books: Charming Billy

Charming Billy by Alice McDermott  (fiction)

McDermott is an amazing writer. I LOVED her book “Of Weddings and Wakes” (In that book, she flawlessly enables the reader to enter different perspectives of members of a family—it is an exercise in empathy and realizing that one’s perspective could be quite different from the real thing---like reading about a family through a prism. She trains the reader to distrust his/her own stereotyped judgments towards "the other". Great and beautifully written.) In Charming Billy, McDermott is still an amazing writer, although this book would not make it on my top ten list of favorites. This is the story of a beloved, tragic uncle who ended up an alcoholic. Written from the perspective of the grown niece, stories and memories of this uncle (and the family, in general) piece together into a portrait of a life. I love how McDermott humanizes a family; you begin to see your own relatives through different eyes and realize that experiences make us into much of what we are. The story's gentleness serves as a reminder to withhold brutal judgment from family members that get under your skin. J This book is one of McDermott's most famous ones, but I would say that I enjoyed “Of Weddings and Wakes” more.

Recently Read Books: The Meaning of Marriage

The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller  (topical)

I heard great things about this book and I was not disappointed. It was written for singles, for those who are dating, and for those who are married. Keller answers the question, “Why not toss the whole idea of marriage out the window?” with some honest replies. I felt like his honest, openhearted approach took a lot of the terror out of the concept of commitment while giving it a soberness that it deserves. Keller is not afraid to be honest while simultaneously being comforting, helpful, and understanding. Its written for those who are burnt on the idea of marriage; basically, my generation.  I would highly recommend it.

Recently Read Books: The Good Thief

The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti  (fiction)

This book had great ratings but I must say I was a bit disappointed. Tinti is a good writer, and the story is definitely unusual. The main storyline follows a foundling child with a missing arm, and his adventures with the grave-robbing man who claims him from the Catholic orphanage. The boy is trying to discover his identity through the story, but he must undergo some rough times in order to get there. The finale of the book was not good enough for me to feel like all of the nastiness was worth it. There are few characters in this book who do not have something revolting about their appearance, occupation, or lifestyle. That is fine if the writing and the story are great, but this one fell short for me. (Contrary to this book, Daphne du Maurier's "Jamaica Inn" and its complicated, unsavory characters are well developed and the story is fantastic.) 

Recently Read Books: The Scent of Water

The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge (fiction)

This book is an older one, and I picked it up because I had read and loved her republished children’s fairytale entitled “The Little White Horse” (sweet story and delicious writing). While I would rate TLWH as a top-notch children’s book, The Scent of Water would not get the same rating as a story for grown-ups. The ending was not well done, and I feel like Goudge would have done better if she would have limited the story to focusing on her 2 main characters (Mary and her deceased aunt) and not included so many “inner thoughts” or stories about the people in the town, since she did not have quite enough time to properly finish all of their stories. Her descriptive writing is still amazing, and I absolutely loved learning about Mary’s deceased aunt’s story through her diary entries. The diary entries are incredibly unusual as they detail the aunt’s struggle with mental illness (panic attacks and depression) and what she learned of God’s tenderness through her struggles. This book is an older one, and the aunt’s story was set in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s, as a time when there was hardly any counsel or real help for ones who underwent battles of the mind. Those diary entries are probably worth wading through the ho-hum quality of the stories that occur whenever Goudge strays from Mary and the aunt as the main topic; the truths that the aunt learns and clings to in her struggle could have come from an old, precious devotional book. 

Recently Read Books: Abide With Me

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout  (fiction)

I read this because the reviews were good. J Although it was not an amazing read, I did enjoy the story of a small town preacher who is struggling with grief over the death of his young wife. What impressed me about Strout’s writing is how she was able to weave the preacher’s subconscious thoughts through the story in an authentic way, which enabled me to see into his soul. Strout chose Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the preacher’s hero and “mentor” (although the preacher had only known the German writer through books), and she must have done a ton of research on Bonhoeffer's life and writings, since she wove them seamlessly and constantly into the preacher’s thought processes. This story helped me catch a glimpse of grief’s inner struggle, and reminded me that most people carry inner burdens. (The preacher is not the only one in the story who is undergoing emotional struggle.) I appreciated Strout’s commitment to her main character's development and to the story: she makes her character go through the entire process of grief, doubt, hurt, anger, and the beginning of healing. Some writers create a great problem but have no idea how to bring it to a conclusion without cheap shortcuts. This book is a good exercise in empathy, reminding the reader that under a brave or caustic exterior often lies a hurting heart.

Recently Read Books: The Creatures that Time Forgot

The Creatures that Time Forgot by Ray Bradbury (science fiction)

I read this because my brother wanted me to. J I loved Ray Bradbury’s book Dandelion Wine (SO good), but this book was nothing like it. Bradbury is well known for his science fiction, so I guess it’s high time I read from his real genre. J  This is a short book/story about a planet where the people-creatures there have a lifespan of only seven days. The main character refuses to use his lifespan for merely his own pleasure; he risks everything trying to find a way to get more time for all. My favorite quote was: “It reminds me that there is something better, something I have missed! Why can’t we be ignorant? Why can’t we live and die without knowing that this is an abnormal living?” True, it’s good not to be satisfied with abnormal living. J

Recently Read Books: River Town

River Town by Peter Hessler  (New York Times bestseller, nonfiction)

A Peace Corps volunteer’s account of his two years spent teaching English in small--town college in China in the later 90’s.  Phenomenal writing and full of astute, perceptive observations of the enigma which is China. I loved reading this book in my fifth year of teaching in China because Hessler gave words to things which I have also experienced, felt, or wondered about. He describes his students and Chinese friends with warmth, giving the reader a glimpse into their personal struggles, small joys, and future hopes. The student writings that he included from his classes served as windows into the souls of these young people standing on the cusp of their futures. While I think anyone who has lived or taught in China will LOVE this book, I think others will enjoy it as well. It would be the perfect book to start on for those whom China seems faraway and monochromatic. An honest retelling by a man who was willing to work hard to establish a human connection with those around him.