Picture a storyteller who traded city lights for Vermont’s rolling hills, weaving tales as rich as the cheese he crafts—meet Brad Kessler! Born in 1963, this American novelist and non-fiction writer has captivated readers with his lyrical prose and empathetic storytelling. His novel Birds in Fall won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, blending myth and human connection in a way that lingers like a quiet melody.
Kessler’s life is a tapestry of art and agriculture. Alongside his wife, photographer-activist Dona Ann McAdams, he tends Northern Spy Farm, raising dairy goats and crafting award-winning cheeses. This unique blend of pastoral living and literary craft sets Kessler apart, making him a voice for both nature and the human heart.
The Making of Brad Kessler
Born on February 15, 1963, Brad Kessler grew up in the suburbs of New York, far from the rural life he’d later embrace. He studied at Wesleyan University under the wing of writer Annie Dillard, whose poetic approach to nature left a lasting mark. Early in his career, Kessler dipped into journalism, editing at Interview magazine and writing scripts for Rabbit Ears Productions, voiced by stars like Denzel Washington and Susan Sarandon. But fiction called, and he answered with a pen that wove stories as vivid as his travels to places like India and Cairo.
Brad Kessler’s Unforgettable Stories
Kessler’s writing is a love letter to the natural world, human resilience, and quiet moments of grace. His debut novel, Lick Creek (2001), set in 1920s West Virginia, follows fiery Emily Jenkins as she navigates love and loss in a mining town. It’s a raw, grounded tale that showcases Kessler’s knack for vivid characters.
His 2006 novel Birds in Fall, a retelling of the Greek Halcyon myth, is his crown jewel. Set on a remote Nova Scotia island, it explores grief and connection after a plane crash, earning the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. Readers praise its haunting prose and emotional depth. In his memoir Goat Song (2009), Kessler chronicles his shift to rural life, blending essays on goat herding and cheesemaking with reflections on pastoralism’s cultural roots. His latest novel, North (2021), set in a Vermont monastery, intertwines the lives of a monk, a Somali refugee, and an Afghan war veteran, earning praise for its tender, hopeful narrative.
Kessler’s style is poetic yet accessible, with a deep empathy for outsiders and a reverence for nature. His works, translated into multiple languages, resonate with readers who crave stories that bridge the personal and the universal.
Why Brad Kessler Matters
Brad Kessler’s impact lies in his ability to find beauty in the overlooked—whether it’s a grieving ornithologist, a Somali refugee, or the rhythm of a goat’s life. His stories champion human connection and peace, themes that earned him the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Beyond the page, his work with Vermont’s Somali community and his donation of North’s royalties to refugee causes reflect a commitment to social good. Kessler’s life at Northern Spy Farm, where he and McAdams blend art and agriculture, inspires readers to see the harmony between creativity and the land.
- Born: February 15, 1963
- Key Works: Lick Creek, Birds in Fall, Goat Song, North
- Awards: Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Rome Prize, Whiting Writer’s Award, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship
- Fun Fact: Kessler’s cheeses have won praise from top U.S. restaurants!
Snag Birds in Fall or Goat Song and dive into Brad Kessler’s lyrical world—where stories bloom like wildflowers and taste as good as Vermont cheese!