I hurts my heart to give anything by Wendell Berry only 3-stars, however, this was his first Port William novel and it truly reads like a first effort in comparison to his later work. Two of my favorite characters in the later books, Nathan and Burley, are prominently featured, however, I felt like they were different characters altogether. Nathan is very young, and Burley does several things that just did not seem in keeping with the Burley I have come to know.

Everyone starts somewhere, and there is still much to be enjoyed (particularly the descriptions and Berry's signature understanding of the lifestyle of farmers and small town inhabitants), but I am so glad I started with one of the other books. I wonder if I would have fallen in love after reading this or just said "yeah, okay" and moved on. If that had happened, I would have missed some of the best writing I have ever had the pleasure to come across. ( )

I’ve been wanting to read more Berry and this was a good place to start. It’s short, but the coming-of-age theme and tone reminded me a lot of Cold Sassy Tree. Berry does an incredible job capturing and conveying a sense of place in his works. The quiet way of life that Nathan reflects on enchanting, but there are still traumas to face in their small town. I loved Hannah Coulter more, but this one certainly makes me want to read another of his books. ( )

This book reminds me a lot of Run With the Horseman by Ferrell Sams. It's Kentucky in the 1920s, and Nathan is a young boy who experiences the small town life of the son of a Kentucky farmer. It's not an easy life, but there are joys to be had. As others have noted, I did not care for the animal cruelty and found it hard to justify having in the book, even considering when the book was written. ( )

Told from the perspective of a young boy, this story illustrates life in a rural and poor community, where family was foremost even when strife and anger divided it. Good read. ( )

I read Nathan Coulter after reading Hannah Coulter. Hannah Coulter was brilliant -- a fully fleshed out, beautifully written story. Nathan Coulter isn't as good of an introduction to Wendell Berry, imo. While it's Berry's first novel in the Port William series, it was published in 1960ish and you can see the serious growth Berry has made as a writer in the time since.

I got to know Nathan Coulter as a character in his youth, but left wanting more. This book is rather short, more of a novella.

Also, the incidents of animal abuse in the book were unexpected and disturbing.

Still, I do plan to read more from the Port William series. ( )