I liked this sympathetic biography in the Twayne author series; not a critical biography by any means, but it's an excellent introduction to the writings and life of Berry. The author develops the idea that though some comparisons can be made (Faulkner, Thorough, Twain, etc.), seldom has an American writer used essays, fiction, and poetry to develop a consistent set of themes. These are themes that resonate with me, whether it's because of the small, agriculture-based towns I've known as place, or the continuity that runs through both Berry's work and the assumptions of a postmodernist such as myself, I don't know. Chiefly, I would highlight Berry's views re: the relationship b/t corporate greed and the consumer economy; decline of the work ethic (and view of work as good); the pernicious influence of mass media and cable news talking heads; and "the importance of meaningful work that enables us to take part in the cycles of nature rather than . . . labor saving machines dependent upon petroleum energy." There is at least one other biography that I know of . . . I plan to check it out. Angyal does have Berry's support, so this authorized in some sense. An excerpt from one of the author's interviews concludes the volume.
3 comments:
Geez, I don't check your blog for a few months and then I'm behind, like, 3 posts to read.
Glad to see your back in the blogging world (not just stalking).
Over the last year, Berry has deeply challenged the way I spend my resources, and my concept of "good" work. Reading a biography may be in order for me.
(mind if I put your link back on the cc blog?)
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