Title: The Poet of Tolstoy Park
Author: Sonny Brewer
In the Poet of Tolstoy Park, Sonny Brewer fleshes out the real-life story of Henry Stuart, who moves to Alabama from Idaho in 1925 when his doctor tells him that tuberculosis will kill him in a year. Once he lands in Alabama, he decides to spend his last year preparing for death by working hard and finding solitude. He builds himself a round stone hut, eschewing all help and friendship from his neighbors, and turns himself into a bit of a social pariah. Finally, he comes to the realization that he needs other people in his life, even if he doesn't have long to live. And guess what? He lasts another 20 years, living a rich, eccentric life surronded by friends.
Like Stone Tables I felt like Brewer gave a lot of detail to the first part of his story, and then hurried things over at the end. The first year of Stuart's life in Alabama is covered in almost exhaustive detail, right up to the point of his conversion from hermit to friend. The last 20 years are glossed over in a chapter. So while the people who actually knew Stuart grew to know and love him, I as a reader didn't have the time to make the mental adjustment.
--originally published 7/9/06
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