Wendell Berry has a new short story in the March edition of Harpers Magazine. It’s called “The Requirement”, and it’s not available online yet. Although usually I tend to like Berry’s essays more than his fiction, I’m beginning to appreciate (some) of his fiction more. This one hit me particularly well, probably because I can see, from reading Berry’s essays, the philosophy behind the story: a philosophy of pastoral life, lived close to nature, with respect for fellow man. The story deals with how to die well, from the perspective of a friend watching his friend Big Ellis die. The theme makes sense in light of the fact that so much of Berry’s work is concerned with “the good life” and all the connotations and representations of that phrase. And, not to give anything away, but the story has an interesting take on Chekhov’s rule that the gun on the mantle in the first act must be fired before the end of the third act (since the first “appearance” of the gun in the story is a hoax).
Wendell Berry
Every writer NEEDS this book.
It’s a guide to writing the pivotal moments of your novel.
Whether writing your book or revising it, this will be the most helpful book you’ll ever buy.
Every writer NEEDS this book.
It’s a guide to writing the pivotal moments of your novel.
Whether writing your book or revising it, this will be the most helpful book you’ll ever buy.