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Jayber Crow
by Wendell Berry

Published: 2001-09
Paperback : 384 pages
0 members reading this now
19 clubs reading this now
2 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 2 of 2 members

“This is a book about Heaven,” says Jayber Crow, “but I must say too that . . . I have wondered sometimes if it would not finally turn out to be a book about Hell.” It is 1932 and he has returned to his native Port William to become the town's barber.

Orphaned at age ten, Jayber ...

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Introduction

“This is a book about Heaven,” says Jayber Crow, “but I must say too that . . . I have wondered sometimes if it would not finally turn out to be a book about Hell.” It is 1932 and he has returned to his native Port William to become the town's barber.

Orphaned at age ten, Jayber Crow’s acquaintance with loneliness and want have made him a patient observer of the human animal, in both its goodness and frailty.

He began his search as a "pre-ministerial student" at Pigeonville College. There, freedom met with new burdens and a young man needed more than a mirror to find himself. But the beginning of that finding was a short conversation with "Old Grit," his profound professor of New Testament Greek.
"You have been given questions to which you cannot be given answers. You will have to live them out?perhaps a little at a time."
"And how long is that going to take?"
"I don't know. As long as you live, perhaps."
"That could be a long time."
"I will tell you a further mystery," he said. "It may take longer."

Wendell Berry’s clear-sighted depiction of humanity’s gifts?love and loss, joy and despair?is seen though his intimate knowledge of the Port William Membership.

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Do you think that a love like that Jayber has for Mattie is possible?
What were the things that made Jayber return to the place where he began?
Why does Mattie's husband approach his work as he does?
by messengerbookgroup (see profile) 09/16/09

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Member Reviews

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by Belinda L. (see profile) 10/28/21

 
by mari k. (see profile) 12/03/19

 
by Ashlyn H. (see profile) 08/26/19

 
by Amy M. (see profile) 02/28/19

 
by Tricia C. (see profile) 06/10/18

 
by Karen R. (see profile) 05/11/18

 
  "Slow read"by Marilyn C. (see profile) 02/25/12

Read slowly and carefully so none of Jayber's wisdom and observations escape you. Funny, sad, insightful and just a good read overall. You learn about the people of Jayber's world and care.

 
  "Jayber Crow"by Janan F. (see profile) 09/16/09

This is my favorite book by my favorite author. This is not your typical romance; this is an epic romance that demonstrates that true love is not a physical longing and fulfillment. Nor is it about unrequited... (read more)

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