pick⭐⭐⭐⭐ for the beautiful writing, the nature descriptions, the shrewd and true observations on people. The hermit character and his beliefs were just a tad too obscure for me, and at one point the father's reminiscences were a bit much. Nevertheless enjoyable, thought-provoking and well done.
"I suppose I've thrown in my lot with love, and don't know any other way to go on breathing. I embrace this world... and suffer it consciously for its compensations, and fully expect to awake one day to the consequences of the bargain I've struck, since life, eventually, closes in."
In Afrikaans, Holy Saturday is called Quiet Saturday. My children are with their dad and aside from going to the farmer's market this morning, which was crazy busy, I don't have anything planned and I got into bed with my book. David Guterson is really my jam - his books don't have to be perfect in every way for the beautiful writing to move me.
pickThis is a beautiful novel. The narrator, a candid, sensitive soul named Neil Countryman, reflects on the conventional path of his life in contrast to his best friend John William‘s radical multi-year withdrawal into the literal and philosophical wilderness. Neil is such a compelling voice - insights are rendered gently but firmly and I can‘t imagine any reader not wanting to take a long walk in the woods after finishing this sobering treasure.
The Other | 
