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Jim Wrenn
Seeing something of himself in a struggling teenage boy, an old man faces one final challenge—and an opportunity to bring closure to a secret past.Spanning nearly nine decades, from the mountains of western Virginia, to a riverside mill town, to a farm in the Piedmont, this is a story of lives marked by tragedy, resilience, and, ultimately, the discovery of purpose and belonging.Inspired by a true story.
- GenresFiction
319 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 23, 2018
I'm going to admit that when this book was chosen by the book group at our local library that I wasn't too enthusiastic. In fact, I didn't start reading Jim Wrenn until the Sunday before our Tuesday afternoon meeting. But once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down. What is a life well lived? Is a person limited by their location and circumstances? What is a community and what are our responsibilities towards those in our community? Covering the events of almost a hundred years and based on a newspaper clipping, this book is a winner. And the author will be making an appearance at our local library in the fall and you can count on me being there.
February 27, 2018
A stunning first novel, reminiscent of Jeffrey Archer's "Clifton Chronicles" in scope. Inspired by a century-old newspaper clipping, Guerrant crafts an epic story across generations, rooted in the love of land and neighbour championed by Wendell Berry, painting a beautiful, pained portrait of the changing landscape of farming in the USA. A remarkable achievement - highly recommended!
September 18, 2018
Important
I've lived in Southside Virginia all of my life. My people are from Pittsylvania County. I went to nursing school in Danville in the early 1970's and worked at Martinsville Hospital. I am so fortunate to have known people just like this. Salt of the earth people. This book is important.
I've lived in Southside Virginia all of my life. My people are from Pittsylvania County. I went to nursing school in Danville in the early 1970's and worked at Martinsville Hospital. I am so fortunate to have known people just like this. Salt of the earth people. This book is important.
February 26, 2019
Loved this book. If your ancestors worked in the cotton mills, this gives a great look at what they lived through. I'm from Eden, NC and my grandfather worked in Fieldcrest mill. He came from Franklin County Va down to Leaksville NC for work. He lived in a mill house. His paystub showed the mill deductions so I feel like he endured the same hardships as Jim Wrenn.
September 28, 2023
Heartwarming story. I loved Jim! His wisdom & strength & resilience was incredible.
February 2, 2019
This was an amazing book made even better by the fact that the setting is local to me and the author is a genuinely kind neighbor of mine. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, the content and the characters.
It follows the life of a gentleman born in 1918 who suffers many hardships along the way yet, unlike many of us today, he presses on and seems to grow stronger and wiser.
I found myself experiencing every emotion, from anger and frustration to sadness and joy. I could relate to the characters and haven't stopped thinking about them since putting the book down. For me, that's what makes a book great.
It follows the life of a gentleman born in 1918 who suffers many hardships along the way yet, unlike many of us today, he presses on and seems to grow stronger and wiser.
I found myself experiencing every emotion, from anger and frustration to sadness and joy. I could relate to the characters and haven't stopped thinking about them since putting the book down. For me, that's what makes a book great.
May 31, 2019
For years I have participated in a book exchange with English teachers from around the country. I have always wanted a book to be able to send to someone that really represents my town. Well, now I have it!
Three generations of a family are explored and farming and cotton mills are at the heart of it all.
Our local library has several copies, but better yet, pick up a copy from the author himself. You can find him Saturdays at the farmer’s market with whatever produce is ripe and a few copies of this “Gem” of a book for sale.
Three generations of a family are explored and farming and cotton mills are at the heart of it all.
Our local library has several copies, but better yet, pick up a copy from the author himself. You can find him Saturdays at the farmer’s market with whatever produce is ripe and a few copies of this “Gem” of a book for sale.
February 4, 2019
Frat read
Loved reading about my hometown and surrounding area. The mill was an important part of the lives of my generation. My father and Mother, sister and brother all worked there at one time. Another sister worked there one summer. Enjoyed the story line.
Loved reading about my hometown and surrounding area. The mill was an important part of the lives of my generation. My father and Mother, sister and brother all worked there at one time. Another sister worked there one summer. Enjoyed the story line.
August 14, 2019
I loved it. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
November 16, 2021
Probably the best novel I have read this year. It may be that most of the locale is in Danville, VA with historic references to Dan River Mills. I had relatives who worked for the mill and lived in Schoolfield as mentioned in the novel. The majority of the book takes place in a more rural area and the descriptions of farm life are vivid. The philosophies of the book are so gripping and some remind me of things that my father in law could have said. Really interesting read!
July 25, 2019
Jim Wrenn by Bill Guerrant
This book tells a history that could well have been my great grandparents' . Fortunately, their story was not as heart wrenching. Jim Wrenn's philosophy reminds me of my grandfather Rawley Ellis Bennett, who seemed to love his land and was curious about different crops and skills.
This book tells a history that could well have been my great grandparents' . Fortunately, their story was not as heart wrenching. Jim Wrenn's philosophy reminds me of my grandfather Rawley Ellis Bennett, who seemed to love his land and was curious about different crops and skills.
July 1, 2021
OMG, Amazing writing for anyone let alone a first time writer. I cried, I laughed and enjoyed every minute of the read. A story of resilience and based on a true story.
May 30, 2019
Heartwarming story of life. Some may say it's too sad but life can be sad. It's learning how to live with the good times as well as the bad. Jim understands how to survive the hardships of life.
However, the joy of living should be emphasized more to counteract with the suffering. Otherwise the book could be very depressing.
However, the joy of living should be emphasized more to counteract with the suffering. Otherwise the book could be very depressing.
May 10, 2020
This was the best book I have read in a long time, once I started I couldn’t put it down, and to be about the town I grew up it made it even more special. You won’t be disappointed
October 17, 2023
The most excellent book I have read in a long time.
A story to be read. Not to be turned into a movie.
My mind, heart and imagination moved through this gentle story of a life well lived.
A story to be read. Not to be turned into a movie.
My mind, heart and imagination moved through this gentle story of a life well lived.
March 1, 2019
I loved this book from the moment I saw the newspaper clipping that actually came from the Danville paper in 1918. The author was at our book club tonight, and it was fascinating to hear how this first novel just poured out of him based on that one clipping.
I have always lived outside Danville on a farm, and I found his perspective was in line with my experience and knowledge of the mill workers I have known and heard stories of my entire life.
I found the author's voice and use of language to be very authentic to this area. This is southern literature at its finest.
I have always lived outside Danville on a farm, and I found his perspective was in line with my experience and knowledge of the mill workers I have known and heard stories of my entire life.
I found the author's voice and use of language to be very authentic to this area. This is southern literature at its finest.
February 6, 2020
Really liked this book. A plus that my son in Law worked with William Guerrant, before he became a writer. A great story of family, perseverance. Love the statement ,we are not separate from the plants and animals, working the farm and land, a perfect and beautiful cycle designed by God and nature!!
February 12, 2018
This is a very good tale of a young and then old farmer's life, convincing in its characters, their times and places. Fans of Wendell Berry will find much to admire here. Mr. Guerrant's style is tight, clear, and eminently readable.
December 24, 2018
Outstanding!
This book is full of wisdom and warmth. It, like the main character, is a gentle read. Take the time to listen and learn and read; chances are you'll be as good a person as Jim Wrenn himself. Highly recommend.
This book is full of wisdom and warmth. It, like the main character, is a gentle read. Take the time to listen and learn and read; chances are you'll be as good a person as Jim Wrenn himself. Highly recommend.
September 4, 2023
This story takes place in Danville, Virginia, which is where my own Aunt Pearl lived. Though I am familiar with this area, it was the story that captured me. I read this book in a day. Once I started it, I could not put it down! This is the best book I’ve read for some time.
March 21, 2020
Great book. Really enjoyed reading about a place that I am familiar with.
April 27, 2018
I enjoyed this. The story covered a lot more than I expected...it's not a very long book but it covers almost a hundred years! That took me a while to get used to, that whole years could be skipped in just a sentence or two. But it didn't take me long to get drawn into the story and characters. These characters felt like people I could have known. (I'm sure the fact that it takes place in and around my hometown has something to do with that!) The book was very readable. At times I found it to be a bit depressing...there are a lot of deaths, and often they seemed to come close together and I wondered why certain people couldn't seem to catch a break! (I suppose the deaths seem closer than they really are, considering how quickly time passes in the book. They might only be pages apart but actually happened several years apart.)
So overall I liked this much more than I expected to. I guess I have sort of a general bias against self-published books? I tend to not think of authors as normal people, ha. It felt a little odd to be reading this book written by someone who I know, who is a vendor at the same farmers market as my family.
So overall I liked this much more than I expected to. I guess I have sort of a general bias against self-published books? I tend to not think of authors as normal people, ha. It felt a little odd to be reading this book written by someone who I know, who is a vendor at the same farmers market as my family.
June 3, 2023
What a great story and some good life lessons. Jim and his sister Pearl end up going to live with The Wren family when their mother dies. Jim had promised his mother to be good and he worked hard. They became his parents even thought they were old to be raising children. The story takes place in and around Danville and talks about the times back then and the Dan River Mills. The book is inspired by a true story. Jim didn’t have an easy life but he worked hard and learned on his own not by going to school.He did not have an easy life. It was full of tragedy. Then one day he starts to help his great nephew and thus was good for both of them. Thought provoking and at times tugs at your heart strings.
February 19, 2021
A Sweetness of Perspective
Bill Guerrant tells the story of Jim Wrenn with compassion and insight. Anyone who has lived in a rural Southern mill town will recognize the characters strolling through the narrative as it reveals the layers of history that form Jim Wrenn.
Guerrant's writing is competent but not compelling, however, after a few pages, the reader is drawn into the compelling story. I'm looking forward to reading his next novel and enjoying his growth as a story teller.
Bill Guerrant tells the story of Jim Wrenn with compassion and insight. Anyone who has lived in a rural Southern mill town will recognize the characters strolling through the narrative as it reveals the layers of history that form Jim Wrenn.
Guerrant's writing is competent but not compelling, however, after a few pages, the reader is drawn into the compelling story. I'm looking forward to reading his next novel and enjoying his growth as a story teller.
July 5, 2018
For a first novel, this is a very good read. The story is interesting and details about factory life are informative. The trouble I have with this novel is that the author tells us how the characters feel and react rather than showing us through action and dialogue--again issues for a first novel. Had the author immersed the reader in the actions, the book would have been longer and a better story.
September 22, 2022
Compelling story that doesn't need plot gimmicks or surprises to draw you in. Instead I was pulled in by the very believable emotional states of characters as they navigated life decisions in a vastly changing world. I enjoyed that this historical fiction highlighted more a focus on a place/people (poorer urban/rural white workers) and the changes in these communities instead of being centered around 1 major historical event as many historical fictions are.
July 15, 2022
The first time I read Jim Wrenn I found it just a wonderful old southern story. But this go around, it had a different meaning since I have a family of my own. Made me want for less, and need for nothing. To preserve more time for what's important. "Take care of the farm and it'll take care of you." Jim understood that and I appreciate the story even more now.
January 21, 2026
I’m not a big reader of novels, preferring history and biographies. Discovering Jim Wrenn was a joy. William Guerrant’s beautifully written tale is as insightful as any biography and informative as any history in its detail.
The novel reads much like it’s titular character’s pleasant Virginia drawl. Sweet tea, sweat and summer breezes contrast with the grit and determination of people who value land and family.
Like visiting a good friend, I couldn’t wait to return each day to find out what happens next. Here’s hoping Hollywood comes knocking—this would make a wonderful film.
The novel reads much like it’s titular character’s pleasant Virginia drawl. Sweet tea, sweat and summer breezes contrast with the grit and determination of people who value land and family.
Like visiting a good friend, I couldn’t wait to return each day to find out what happens next. Here’s hoping Hollywood comes knocking—this would make a wonderful film.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews