By Wendell Berry
Having recently discovered author Wendell Berry, I spoke with a friend who enthusiastically recommended this book. The title did not sound very appealing, but as I made my way through Jayber Crow's story, I was taken in not only by the gentle writing, but also by Jayber's observations of changes in a small community that represent epic changes in the social order.
Like his other fiction, Wendell Berry sets this story in the tiny town of Port William, Kentucky. Jayber, born Jonah in 1914, loses his parents to illness when he is only four years old. A kindly older couple, known to Jonah as Uncle Othy and Aunt Cordie take him in, providing love and stability; they live next to the river where they run a small general store. Sadly, they pass away about five years later, and Jonah is sent to an orphanage. Although he receives an education, J. Crow (as he comes to be known at the orphanage) does not receive love and develops no lasting relationships; his only real joy is reading. J (eventually called Jay Bird or Jayber) starts seminary, but doesn't feel it's the right fit, and eventually finds work with a local barber who teaches Jayber the trade. Feeling unrooted, he decides to return to the only home he knew, and walks back to Port William where, coincidentally, the town barber has put his business (including the shop, with living quarters) up for sale - and Jayber finds his profession.
The small town barber's shop is not just a place to get a haircut, but it grows to be a gathering spot for the menfolk in town, regardless of their need for grooming. "My shop was a democracy if ever anyplace was. Whoever came I served and let stay as long as they wanted to." (p 213) Jayber hears it all, and ponders the changes over the years he owns the shop, from about the mid 1930s through the 1970s. He considers the merits of owning an automobile, the dangers of large-scale farming with machines, the futility of war.
For some action, and a good time with a pretty girl, however, Jayber drives to Hargrave, the next larger town. Eventually business migrates to Hargrave and the Port William general store closes for lack of customers; the local school closes, and children are bussed to Hargrave. A government inspector pays a call at Jayber's barber shop where he finds the shop has no running water, so even Jayber closes shop rather than incur the expense of putting in a plumbing system. Meanwhile, farming, the main livelihood around Port William, is in decline, whether raising crops or raising animals. "...once a fabric is torn, it is apt to keep tearing. It was coming apart. The old integrity had been broken," (p 276) Jayber laments.
Through the years, Jayber shies away from commitment - caring for Clydie, his woman in Hargrave, but never committing to more than one-night stands. He never really seems committed to Port William, floating above it all as he listens to the conversation in his shop, but never really condescending to be a part of it. But Jayber takes a job as a church custodian and grave digger and feels obligated to attend the church services; here he finds himself drawn into the life of the community as he worships with them and grieves with them.
Jayber is especially taken by young Mattie Keith, who marries a man Jayber considers to be unworthy; Jayber always feels protective of Mattie even if he can never have her. He struggles over certain Scripture verses, and his unrequited love for Mattie helps him to begin to understand the love of God for his children.
Jayber really shares his inner thoughts; he sees his town's way of life disappearing forever; it is "apt to keep tearing." As he grows emotionally, he is sorrowful over a town and a way of life in which he has finally vested himself, but he is never bitter, instead thankful for each blessing, including Mattie's smile as he bid her a final goodbye.
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