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253:-proof concrete shelter. The shelter, which was built in about two weeks more than a year in 1925 and 1926, was set 16 inches (41 cm) into the ground on which it was constructed, lending to a comfortable, stable temperature of the floor—the 14 feet (4.3 m) diameter of which was a perfect match to the highest point of the roof. In his late 60s, Stuart climbed a ladder to reach his bed, a
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in the 1980s, he became curious to know who had built it and why. Several old newspaper articles filled him in on the history of Henry Stuart, an
Idahoan who was informed by his doctors in the early 1920s that he had only a year to live. Stuart left two grown sons and moved to 10 acres (4.0 ha)
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when he learned
Ballentine had purchased his novel about Stuart's life, only 20 pages of which were complete, for $ 100,000.00. He rented and set about restoring the hut while writing the novel, moving into it to live—like Stuart—barefoot during its revision.
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strung 10 feet (3.0 m) above the ground. Brewer was fascinated by the story of the eccentric Stuart, who lived in his hut for 18 years convinced he was on the brink of death before relocating, finally dying in
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in the 1920s after being told incorrectly that he had a year to live, has made Stuart's
Alabama home a site of pilgrimage for its readers. The book has been optioned for a film and as of 2007 was in
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Even during Stuart's occupancy, the hut was often visited. Stuart, otherwise a hermit, kept a logbook signed by 1,200 guests, including
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The novel has been optioned for a film and as of 2007 was in pre-production. The film is being produced by
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for a life of contemplation, one which extends much longer than Stuart expected.
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agent, saw a small, round concrete hut sitting adjacent to a parking lot in
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419:"A Hermit's Refuge Is Now a Writer's Muse"
249:in Alabama on which he built by himself a
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224:and an eccentric, Stuart sheds his
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494:. Sonny Brewer's official website
282:Stuart's hut in Fairhope, Alabama
375:Huntley, Kristine (2005-02-15).
417:St. John, Warren (2006-05-07).
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466:Lazenby, David (2007-10-12).
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556:Novels set in Alabama
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350:Book review
339:Book review
325:Book review
238:real estate
226:materialism
214:Leo Tolstoy
166:debut novel
535:Categories
498:2009-05-15
477:2009-05-15
428:2009-05-15
388:2009-05-15
362:References
304:Slingblade
267:bankruptcy
247:wilderness
232:Background
174:Ballantine
63:Ballantine
274:Aftermath
251:hurricane
128:813/.6 22
59:Publisher
382:Booklist
115:57706901
41:Language
255:hammock
218:ascetic
182:Alabama
44:English
260:Oregon
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87:Pages
49:Genre
520:WBHM
307:and
222:poet
210:barn
192:Plot
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
