A beautifully told story of what it means to live well and die well.

In the 1920s, Henry, diagnosed with consumption, leaves his home and family in Idaho for an unknown property on the Alabama coast.

The question then arises: What is one's obligation to the community, one's loved ones, and one's self when confronted with a terminal diagnosis?

Henry's decision to leave is a complex one. On one hand, he may feel a sense of responsibility to his community and loved ones, perhaps not wanting to burden them with his illness. On the other hand, he may also be seeking a sense of peace and solitude for himself, a place where he can come to terms with his diagnosis and prepare for the end.

As he makes his way to the Alabama coast, Henry must grapple with these questions and make decisions that will impact not only himself but also those around him.

Will he be able to find a way to balance his obligations to others with his own need for self-care and acceptance? Only time will tell.

A Once in a Lifetime Story, Book, Place

There are certain stories that have the power to change our lives forever. They are the kind of tales that stay with us, long after we've turned the final page. And then there are those special books that hold these remarkable stories within their covers. They become our companions, taking us on adventures and introducing us to new worlds.

But what about the places that inspire these stories and books? The locations that seem to have a magic of their own. These places can be as diverse as a quiet little town tucked away in the mountains, or a bustling city filled with history and culture. They are the settings where the characters in our favorite stories come to life, and where the plot unfolds in ways we could never have imagined.

Whether it's a story, a book, or a place, there is something truly special about those that are once in a lifetime. They are the things that we cherish and remember for the rest of our days, and they continue to inspire us long after we've experienced them.

This is a truly lovely and sweet piece of writing that tells the story of an eccentric, thoughtful, and kind man.

As I was reading it, it brought back memories of some of the better qualities of my ex-husband. The way the man in the story loved Tolstoy and had the courage to question organized religion was really quite admirable.

What makes this even more special is that it is based on a true character. It gives a sense of authenticity and makes the reader feel more connected to the story.

Thanks to Sonny Brewer for sharing this wonderful tale with us. It's a reminder that there are still kind and interesting people in the world, and that we should appreciate the good qualities in those around us.

I'm sure this story will touch the hearts of many readers and leave them with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Henry Stuart was a very strange man. He lived in a very dry place. After being diagnosed with terminal illness, he shed his shoes and moved to Alabama.

Before long, he shunned all contact with his family and friends. He decided to build a round hut made out of the cement blocks he made himself. Maybe he wasn't so sick after all.

There was a lot of philosophical stuff and symbolism in his actions. It was as if he was trying to find a new meaning in life, away from the constraints and expectations of the outside world.

His hut became a symbol of his independence and his search for truth. He spent his days alone, reflecting on his life and the meaning of it all.

Although he was a strange man, there was something about him that was captivating. Maybe it was his determination to live life on his own terms, or maybe it was the mystery that surrounded him.

Whatever it was, Henry Stuart was a man who would not be forgotten easily. His story was one of courage, independence, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems to lack it.

I'm far more acquainted with Fairhope, AL than with Tolstoy, and that has truly made all the difference (with apologies to RF). The name Sonny Brewer is only vaguely familiar to me, so I'll definitely need to look him up.

This time last year, I walked into a bookstore in Fairhope, and I wonder if it was his store. At any rate, this BookBabes pick was precisely the ticket for my mood this summer. The three stars I gave it say more about how I feel about that particular mood than about the book itself. So, consider it a three out of three stars. That's the maximum until further notice.

Anticipating the discussion among the babes, all of whom are familiar with hurricanes and ospreys, I predict there will be a great discussion, widespread approval of the choice, and perhaps even some winking about the relationship that could have been... between Henry and Kate. I'm really looking forward to it!

The more you transform your life from the material to the spiritual domain, the less you become afraid of death.

This profound statement by Leo Tolstoy holds great significance. In the novel, the main character, Henry James Stuart, undertakes a historical move south to Alabama and builds a round stone house. The fictional aspect of the book lies in the details, such as the minute circumstances of his life and thoughts, which make the story both interesting and readable.

Henry's quest, in the face of his terminal diagnosis, is to live a spare, essential, and meaningful life. I was deeply drawn to this story, partly because I can relate to his stage of life and his response. There is a hint of modern elements like mindfulness, zen, and Black Elk that seem to have crept into the period. However, despite this, it remains a good tale that captivated me.

Sometimes it is truly wonderful to slow down and engage with a book that is both gentle and philosophical.

Sonny Brewer's novel, which is based on the life of Henry Stuart, is precisely such a literary gem. In 1925, when diagnosed with tuberculosis, Stuart made an extraordinary decision. He chose to leave his home and journey to a place where he could confront his approaching death in solitude and according to his own wishes.

To achieve this, he purchased ten acres of undeveloped land in Fairhope, Alabama. He then gave away the majority of his worldly possessions and boarded a train, believing it would carry him to the place of his demise.

Fortunately for Henry, and indeed for us as readers, that passing occurred much later than anticipated. For nearly twenty years, the hermit of Tolstoy Park, as he named his new abode, became Fairhope's very own incarnation of Henry David Thoreau. He developed his own unique perspective on life and, more significantly, on death.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and beautifully written exploration of the human condition.

This book, for my personal taste, is a bit overly self-assured.

However, I'm not certain whether this is due to the writing style, the subject matter, or the philosophy of the main character.

Whichever the case may be, I perceived it as rather overbearing and frequently irritating.

Nonetheless, it wasn't to such an extent that I gave up on it.

I have a great love for Tolstoy's writing, yet I'm also irked by the mysticism that prevailed in his life towards the end.

Perhaps, then, I should have been more discerning and known better than to attempt reading this particular book.

Despite its flaws, there may still be some redeeming qualities that I haven't fully grasped yet.

It could be that with further exploration and reflection, I might come to a different understanding and appreciation of this work.

Only time will tell if my initial impressions will change or if this book will remain a source of mild annoyance.

This is a very interesting book indeed.

I was quite surprised to learn that the story is set in Fairhope, Al, which is only two hours away from where I live. As a result, I'm really hoping to make a trip there soon.

This book was a pick for my book club, and I don't think I would have read it on my own otherwise.

It's based on the life of Henry Stuart, who has been living alone in Idaho since the death of his beloved wife Molly. He's a retired college professor who has developed an interest in weaving rugs.

He has two sons who live relatively close by, but their relationship is rather strained.

When Henry receives a medical diagnosis that he only has about a year to live and should move to a warmer climate, he decides to move to Fairhope, much to the dismay of his sons.

At first, I had a hard time relating to this character, but then I realized that everyone is different.

Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and it has given me a lot to think about.

Possibly the worst book I’ve had the displeasure of reading. It is truly a disappointment. Negative stars should be an option to accurately rate this book. I paid a mere $1 at a library sale, thinking I was getting a good deal. However, now I feel completely cheated. The story was dull, the characters were flat, and the writing was amateurish. I struggled to get through each page, hoping that it would improve, but it never did. It seems as if the author didn't put in any effort or didn't have the necessary skills to create an engaging and well-written book. I would not recommend this book to anyone, not even my worst enemy. It is a waste of time and money, and I regret ever picking it up.

This book is an immensely slow read as it is written with the vernacular of the 19th century.

However, the poet himself was quite refreshing with his unique ideas about the world.

The story is simply a meditative one, written in a meditative way that vividly shows how physical, mindful work could give purpose to and heal a man who was believed to be on the verge of dying.

My favorite part of the book is undoubtedly the last 1/8. In this section, the timeline undergoes a remarkable change. It transitions from progressing day by day to suddenly having twenty years pass.

This sudden shift in time is a really nice and unexpected change that adds an interesting dimension to the narrative.

Overall, the book is locally interesting and definitely worthwhile, offering readers a unique and thought-provoking experience.

My coworker friend, who recommended "Neither Wolf Nor Dog", also simultaneously recommended the book "The Poet of Tolstoy Park". She brought both books to work with her. As I mentioned earlier, I devoured "NWND", but I've been really struggling with "TPOTP".

Not only has my mind been sidetracked by the spring temperatures, various house projects, and other prior engagements, but I've also opened this book a dozen times, read a few pages, and then decided to put it away. As of right now, I've only managed to reach chapter three out of thirty-seven.

"TPOTP" is a very intellectual book, and it is written eloquently. However, I believe this is the stumbling block for me. I get bogged down in those words. The complex and eloquent language makes it difficult for my mind to wander into the imaginary world that the author is attempting to create. Maybe my intelligence isn't high enough to fully grasp what Brewer is trying to offer the reader. Maybe I haven't read far enough into the story to be captivated. Either way, I'm putting this one on hold for now, hoping that at some point in the future, I'll pick it up again and be able to appreciate this novel as much as my coworker does. She has read it a dozen times.