I had to read this for a book discussion, and initially, I didn't think I was going to like it. However, as I delved deeper into the story, it gradually grew on me.

It is a work of fiction that is based on a true story. Set in 1925 Idaho, a 67-year-old man is given the news that he has only a year to live. In response, he makes a bold decision to move to Alabama. There, he single-handedly undertakes the remarkable task of building a small round cottage using bricks that he makes himself.

Surprisingly, after completing his cottage, he goes on to live another 20 years or so. The narrative is slow-moving and philosophical, which is not generally the kind of book that I am drawn to. Nevertheless, it offers a unique perspective on life, death, and the human spirit.

Despite its initial lack of appeal, this book has managed to capture my attention and make me think about the choices we make and the legacies we leave behind. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected stories can have the greatest impact.

When retired philosophy professor Henry Stuart discovers that he is terminally ill, he makes a momentous decision. He resolves to leave his home in Idaho and bid farewell to his boots as well. Instead, he chooses to embark on a barefoot journey to Fairhope, Alabama, where he plans to spend the remaining year of his life in a small colony.

Inspired by the profound writings of Tolstoy, Henry passionately expounds on his deeply held beliefs regarding organized religion, the inherent value of hard work, and the significance of how we interact with one another. He also artfully weaves in valuable lessons he has learned from Buddhist monks and Black Elk of the Lakota people.

Known affectionately as "the hermit of Fairhope," Henry is truly the poet of Tolstoy Park. This is a tract of land that he not only named but also built a unique round hut upon. His bed is perched high in the air, necessitating the use of a ladder to access it. Henry is undeniably eccentric, yet his diagnosis, along with the recent loss of his wife, has compelled him to reevaluate what truly matters in life. He is unwavering in his determination to make the most of the precious time he has left. This means relinquishing his boots so that he can feel the earth beneath his bare feet, engaging in hands-on work, and achieving a delicate balance between a life of solitude and extending kindness to others.

From a literary standpoint, the resulting work is more of a character study than a traditional plot-driven narrative. At times, the story unfolds at a leisurely pace, meticulously describing Henry's construction of his hut with the same level of detail that Thoreau lavished on describing his natural experiences in Walden (undoubtedly a source of inspiration for Brewer). Nevertheless, Henry is such a captivating and captivatingly curious man that it is an effortless journey to accompany him on this exploration of life and meaning.

Started slowly, but I enjoyed this book immensely.

It is a captivating piece of literature that is full of interesting quotations.

The story is set a century ago, which gives it a unique charm and a sense of historical context.

What makes this book truly remarkable is its exploration of one man's search to find peace with death.

The author delves deep into the protagonist's psyche, revealing his fears, doubts, and ultimately, his journey towards acceptance.

As I read, I found myself completely engrossed in the story, empathizing with the character and reflecting on my own views on life and death.

This book is not only a thought-provoking read but also a beautifully written piece that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book that will challenge their beliefs and expand their understanding of the human experience.

A lot of play-by-play narration is presented in this work. It truly has the effect of making one stay completely present in the moment. I assume this is part of the protagonist's philosophy. However, after reading the first 100 pages, I began to skim through the remaining content.

Perhaps it was because the detailed description started to feel a bit repetitive, or maybe my initial enthusiasm had waned. Nevertheless, the play-by-play narration did manage to hold my attention for a while. It painted a vivid picture of the events unfolding, allowing me to almost experience them along with the characters.

But as the story progressed, I found myself longing for a bit more variety and depth. Skimming became a way for me to quickly get through the parts that didn't seem as engaging, hoping to find something more substantial further along.

Overall, while the play-by-play narration had its merits, it also had its limitations in keeping my full attention throughout the entire book.

A solid 4* book in my view, and I truly enjoyed it very much.

There are spoilers everywhere, so beware. As I was reading this book, I had a few things running around in my head that caused me some confusion. (Perhaps it was my medication?) I kept mixing up the personas and views of Henry Stuart (the protagonist), Henry George (the founder of Fair Hope), Sonny Brewer (the author), and Leo Tolstoy.

I also couldn't stop thinking about singer/songwriter Neil Young (specifically his song "Old Man") and the lyrics from Sweet Home Alabama ("Well, I hope Neil Young will remember, a southern man don't need him around anyhow."). I know it might not make much sense, but that's just how my mind works.

The old man in the story is 67-year-old Henry Stuart, a widower from Nampa, ID. He decides to travel to Mobile Bay for his health as he has TB. In fact, his Nampa MD has told him that he may only have a year to live. He makes the rather unusual decision to live his life without wearing shoes. I thought the whole "no shoes thing" was a bit silly at first, but it turns out to be part of the true story of Mr. Stuart.

It's important to remember that Sonny Brewer, the author, didn't have all the biographical facts about Henry S. He admits that a "little of the truth goes a long way" in this story and that two-thirds of the book comes from his imagination. But that doesn't matter to me. A good story is a good story, regardless of how much of it is fact or fiction.

Anyway, Henry arrives in Fair Hope in the fall of 1925 and immediately takes possession of his ten acres and a barn. Soon after, he begins working on his round, concrete hut (14' in circumference). He even wore one boot while shoveling out his foundation.

However, as time goes on, Henry becomes a bit morbid in his views regarding life and his new friends in AL. He pushes everyone away in his quest to go solo in life, which is not a good idea for anyone. But then, in the summer of '26, during a severe hurricane, he has a near-death experience and decides he wants to be a part of the community of men in Fair Hope. Miraculously, his health returns, and he continues life without footwear but with a healthier outlook.

So, why is this book good? I liked it for the story, which is a fascinating mixture of fact and fiction, and all the "philosophy of life" that is contained within it. I also liked that a 67-year-old man has the courage to uproot himself, travel a long distance, and start a new life. He settles into his new home, returns to being a weaver of rugs, and lives a good life for another 19 years.

Brewer incorporates some of the ideas of many great thinkers such as Socrates, St Francis, Whitman, Black Elk, Chief Seattle, Henry George, Rilkie, Dickinson, Oscar Wilde, Thoreau, Sherwood Anderson, Emerson, Wittenstein, Wallace Stevens, Frost, Tennyson, and of course, Mr. Tolstoy. Henry named his 10 acres Tolstoy Park, and his hut still stands and can be visited today.

I have a few questions and observations about the book. I don't understand the hat and coat photo on the cover. It seems very unlike Henry Stuart to wear a hat (he gave his away in the book), although I'm not sure if he bothered with a coat. It looks kind of heavy for south Alabama.

I also liked the popular Emily Dickinson quote, "Because I could not stop for Death ---- He kindly stopped for me." And the Rilkie idea of "getting ahead of all parting" from a poem was sound advice that I can relate to. I was surprised to learn that Black Elk converted to catholicism. It was an interesting fact.

I don't know much about Count Leo Tolstoy, but I found a picture of him with no shoes. That was kind of strange. However, all this stuff about him departing his home/estate/wife/family under the cover of darkness to become a "walkabout" seems a bit overblown to me. After all, he was 82 years old and died less than two weeks after "running away from home."

I have to admit that I've pretty much confined my reading to American authors, which is probably a mistake. But it's kind of like not wearing shoes. It's just what I do. I hope to visit Mobile Bay, Fair Hope, Tolstoy Park, and the Under the Transom Book Store at my first opportunity. Good job, Mr. Brewer. I trust you wear shoes. The place is full of moccasins.

Henry firmly believes in God, yet he doesn't attend church. He is currently preparing to face death due to TB. He leaves his two grown sons and his best friend, who is a preacher, and he hasn't entered the preacher's church since his wife passed away. He then moves far away and spends a period of time in solitude. During this time, he realizes that he has gone too deep into himself, but at the same time, it has also been beneficial for him.

There is a lot of profound insight into what truly matters in this story. In a time when one could take the time to discover it from one's own soul.

I quickly liked his book. I myself have also done similar things for shorter durations.

As I grew up, I often wanted to be a hermit.

I struggle between the desire to be alone enough to understand myself and my relationship with God, and the need to deeply know all the people around me, which requires time and energy. I'm still not at the age where he is; this is one of the stories that can't be directly applied to the busy life of a stay-at-home mom. However, there is still a lot of good content. I loved it. Even when I didn't agree with everything; it is the sincerity that makes it carry weight. The best thing in us is that sincerity, which is different in each person's solitary universe.

I found myself in a rather challenging situation in my book club.

I was outnumbered as many of the members had chosen to listen to the audio version of the book, which, it was evident, had been very well done.

I, on the other hand, tried to read the physical copy. I managed to get halfway through it, but unfortunately, I didn't finish it in time.

Moreover, I have no desire to continue reading it. The main reason for this is that I simply didn't care for the writing style.

It seemed to me that the book was in desperate need of an editor. The flow of the story was disrupted at times, and there were some parts that felt a bit disjointed.

I understand that different people have different preferences when it comes to writing styles, but this one just didn't click with me.

Despite the fact that the audio version might have been good, I still prefer to read and engage with the words on the page. Maybe I'll give this author another chance in the future, but for now, I'm moving on to other books.

I actively disliked this dreary and boring story.

From the very beginning, it failed to capture my attention. The plot was predictable and lacked any real excitement or surprise. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult for me to feel any connection or empathy towards them.

The writing style was also rather平淡, lacking in vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue. It felt as though the author was simply going through the motions, without any real passion or creativity.

Overall, this story was a disappointment. It did nothing to stimulate my imagination or make me want to keep reading. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable and engaging read.

I'll rewrite the review once I re-read this book. However, I find Sonny Brewer, who is new on the author scene, to be totally engrossing. His descriptions are so natural and wonderful that you feel as if you have lived through the events in the book rather than just read about them.

I chose this book to read together with a friend this summer. Although she ended up disliking it, it serves as another example of how different authors can have different impacts on people. I liked this book so much that I pre-ordered his second book "A Sound Like Thunder" before it was released.

I've told my friend that she can pick the next book we read together. Life is good! I'm still relishing this book the second time around, and enjoying it even more. It's truly a remarkable piece of work that has left a lasting impression on me. I can't wait to see what else Sonny Brewer has in store for us in the future.

Wonderful book


It was an absolute pleasure to read about this remarkable man. Just last month, I had the opportunity to visit Tolstoy Park, and this book truly brought the entire story to life for me. It was as if I was able to step into the world of the man and experience his journey along with him. The author did an excellent job of presenting the details in a captivating and engaging manner. The book is not only informative but also a great source of inspiration. It offers valuable insights into the life and works of this great literary figure. I would highly recommend this book to all those who have an interest in literature, history, or simply a good read. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

I have a deep affection for the writing of Sonny Brewer. This novel, which is based on a true story, has the power to make you eager to spend time on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay.

The communities on the eastern shore are the residences of numerous writers, many of whom are more renowned than Sonny Brewer. Nevertheless, he has a special connection to this place.

The book tells the story of an eccentric man who came to the bay in the early twentieth century and constructed his home, "Tolstoy Park," with his own hands. Upon arrival, he gave away his shoes and never wore them again. As time passed, he became an integral part of the fabric that is the eastern shore community and still remains so today.

You can visit the home he built in Montrose, which is located between Daphne and Fairhope, Alabama. You can also visit one of the South's great independent bookstores, Page and Palette in Fairhope. There, you might even encounter Sonny Brewer... or Winston Groom... or Fannie Flagg or any number of great local writers.

It is truly a fascinating place with a rich literary history that awaits exploration.

I truly had a great affection for this book.

I purchased it due to the fact that it is centered around an historical figure who resided in Fairhope, Alabama, which happens to be my father's hometown.

The main protagonist, Henry Stuart, was a retired college professor hailing from Idaho. He had been diagnosed with tuberculosis and was informed that he had merely one year left to live.

He then relocated to Fairhope, a utopian colony, and constructed a beehive-shaped house, believing that engaging in manual labor was the optimal way to spend the remainder of his life.

Surprisingly, he did not pass away as expected but instead lived for an additional 20 years.

I vividly recall seeing the house during my childhood.

The book, without a doubt, delved into the theme of confronting the end of life, and the author accomplished this task in a highly believable manner.

Overall, it was a captivating read that left a lasting impression on me.