Beautiful; worth reading slowly and savoring.

A once in a lifetime story. book. place.

"Black Elk had spoken of the giving-away ceremonies practiced by his people in the springtime: extra pemmican, extra furs, extra horses-these were not hoarded but given to those who had none or not enough. The joy of giving is more full when the gift is finer... because each thing owned takes a measure of spirit from the owner. And more spirit is paid out into finer things. To make a gift of these things, the more prized things, ... returns a fuller measure of spirit and power to the giver's body."

"...when the mental echo of Thomas's leaving had had time to abate."

"Thoreau said the body is the first student of the soul, and if the soul is stirred in anger, the body learns to throw tantrums. Henry's father had always cautioned him that if he became angry, count to ten, and if still angry, count to a hundred, and if still angry, count to a thousand."

"He believed it was more likely the Buddhist monks had it right: Keep your eye on what's for supper. ...the highest position of reverence in certain Buddhist monasteries was that of the tenzo, who was essentially the gardener and cook, who delighted in preparing and serving meals to others."

"One can imagine nothing more tiresome and profitless than sitting down and thinking of oneself."

"...a thing easily gained is a thing easily tossed off."

nice poem on page 247

This was a poignant story of what one man goes through on his way to dying. In this case, he discovered it was more a study of how to live, so that when you die you feel as though you have made a difference. Henry Stewart didn’t intend to make the impact into other’s lives that he did. But his simple choices (many that I did not understand) set him apart as not only an oddity, but a beloved member of the community.

A book that has you staring out the window savouring an idea or an inspired turn of phrase. I would’ve loved to know Henry James Stuart.

A man dying of consumption decides to leave his home in Idaho. He bequeaths most of his goods to his sons and best friend, and moves to Fairhope, Alabama, where the weather will be easier on him. Driven by the wisdom of Tolstoy and Thoreau, he seeks to make peace with death. Making peace includes going shoeless and building a round hut to live in as labor helps make him whole of mind and body. Rather than last the year expected, he lasts 20 years and becomes an important part of the community. The story is based on historical fact. The man did exist and did build the house.

Fetching and intriguing

Feel the Highs and lows of a very human soul. Just order and download it now without a question. Then dig deeply into the lives of the characters you meet on these pages and breathe in the lessons from the sage ofTolstoy Park.

Another odd one for me. Very thoughtfully written and researched--story based on a man who spent the last years of his life on 10 acres in coastal Alabama, far away from his 'home' in Idaho. Carefully presented philosophical meanderings on faith, family, death, poetry, and Tolstoy! Although not much like the last book I read (The Elegance of the Hedgehog), this one also has convinced me it is way past time for me to read Anna Karenina.

I felt as if I were reading a true story of Henry, his family and his friends. Sonny Brewer did a wonderful job bringing Henry alive again. I visited the little round hut Henry made and I could almost see him working to build it. I so appreciate that it has been kept and made open to the public, but also a shame that it is surrounded by buildings. It would have been nice if the preservationists could have saved some of the land to go with the hut. After visiting the little round building I was so curious to read the book that Mr Brewer had written. I hope I have a chance in the future to read more of his books.
If anyone is ever in the Fairhope, AL area you should visit the little hut and then go into Fairhope to the bookstore and buy the book by Sonny Brewer.

Onvan : The Poet of Tolstoy Park - Nevisande : Sonny Brewer - ISBN : 345476328 - ISBN13 : 9780345476326 - Dar 304 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2005

(Audiobook) I’m giving this book five stars because, thanks to the author Sonny Brewer, the memory of Tolstoy Park’s Henry Stuart will stay with me for a long time. Rick Bragg as narrator brings the story alive with his hypnotic southern drawl.

“I have no need for the institutional church. I worship God here in God's own temple, under the stars, down these paths that I walk each day by the trees.” (Henry Stuart)

this is the best single book I've read all year---Fairhope, AL author Sonny Brewer, who is also Rick Bragg's editor, and owner of Over the Transom bookstore, is one helluva writer and brings to life the legendary hermit of Fairhope, who lived his final days in the eccentric artist enclave on Mobile Bay. full of poetic philosophy about life, love, death and illness. Highly recommended.