Remembering Isaac: The Joyful Potter of Neiderbipp by Ben Behunin
Reviewed by BridgetRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
444 Pages
Ratings Explanation
Violence: Mary, Emily, and Marge witness the near killing of a chicken in what Farmer Hill called ‘the pecking order’, saying there was little he could do to save the poor bird. “He told us that if he stepped in now, it would only be a matter of time before another bird began to get picked on and that it would be better just to let nature take its course.” The chicken’s pecking order is no different than the girl’s social circle.
Sexual Content: Jake and Amy share a kiss.
Adult Themes: Pregnancy Loss.
Summary
Jake purchases a post-college graduation airline ticket to Greece and eagerly awaits his upcoming adventure. A ceramics professor suggests he apply for an unusual position, a town potter. Neiderbipp’s town potter, Isaac, has died. Jake takes the bus to rural Pennsylvania to weigh his options before his departure for Greece. He arrives in Neiderbipp and finds a somewhat quirky, yet charming town settled by German immigrants in the early 1700′s. A town that looks as if it has been transplanted from Germany to Pennsylvania. Jake is intrigued and accepts a trial position as the town potter for the summer, delaying his trip to Greece for a few months.
Jake cleans out the potter’s studio/shop and discovers an array of mugs hanging from the rafters with varying levels of dust. As the summer passes, Isaac’s friends stop by to clean their mug, make a pot of peppermint tea, and share their “Isaac Experiences” with Jake. Jake realizes that Isaac was much more than the town potter as he pieces together Isaac’s life story. Jake also discovers the “wisdom of a humble craftsman”.
This book simply makes me want to be a better person. I loved it! I look forward to reading the sequel.
©2010 The Literate Mother
April 1st, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I was signing books at the St George Costco today when a nice woman came up to me and said she’d read this review and wanted to buy my book. Thanks. I might just add that my youngest reader to date, that I am aware of, is only eight years old. I have had many mothers tell me that they read it as a family because it opens the door for a lot of discussion that you want to have with your kids, but cant find a way where the kids will listen and be engaged. I have kids myself, nine and six and they have enjoyed these books emensly–they might be a little biased. Cheers to the journey–and thanks for the review. Ben
April 19th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
May 15th, 2010 at 9:38 am
I am at work in the gallery of the Appalachain Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN (Tennessee Tech University) I work here as part of my scholarship program- I am a non-traditional BFA Clay student- 52 years young. I just had a couple come in that was from Utah and I don’t know how we got to the subject of your book, but they said I had to read it. I believe they were sent with purpose. Being a student at this age and with 1 child left at home I sometimes question my sanity and choices. The one thing I do know is creating is in my very fiber of being, clay is my favorite choice of media. I can’t wait to read your book…