Andy Catlett: Early Travels

By Wendell Berry

Nine-year-old Andy Catlett embarks on a trip going alone by bus to visit his grandparents. It is Christmas 1943 and—as he sees modern life crowding out the old ways—those he meets become touchstones for his understanding of a precious and imperiled world.

This beautiful short novel is a perfect introduction to Wendell Berry’s rich and ever-evolving saga of the Port William Membership.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Counterpoint
• Release date: Jun 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781582439716

Reviews for Andy Catlett

[edwin6gleaves · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A touching reminiscence of growing up in Kentucky during World War II.

[steve777_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Warm story of a boy in rural America as he visits his tow sets of grandparents the first time by himself.

[marient_5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Always the master of words and thoughts, Berry describes the childhood memories of Andy Catlett. Sometimes the memories seem like Berry's own. The town of Port Arthur figures prominently, as is usual in Berry's books.

[lauralkeet · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In this novella, Andy Catlett describes his “early travels”: when, at the age of 9, he was granted some early independence and responsibility. Narrated by Andy much later in life, he paints a picture of his extended family and the broader Port William community. In December 1943, the people of Port William had not yet felt the impact of World War II, but Andy hints at devastating losses to come (and, if you’ve read any of the other Port William novels, you’ll already know what he’s referring to). But for now, Andy is nurtured by a close-knit, caring community and this clearly shapes the man who figures in some of the other novels. At just 115 pages, Andy Catlett is a sort of “filler” work in the Port William novels, providing a character’s back story, but there’s not enough here for the novel to stand on its own.