In Walking On Water, Madeleine L'Engle addresses the questions, What makes art Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian artist? Wha... read full description
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Aug 05, 2011
Trying to encompass all my thoughts and feelings about this book would take...well, a book. Or some approximation thereof. This is my second time reading it and I find that once again it reaches and touches me on so many levels. I find joy here, and inspiration; the book *makes* me want to write. It gives me fuel, or refuels me, if you will. I am reminded of the adventures that unfold in both life and art when we take the time to simply *listen* to the story, to the vision, the photograph, the
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Nov 12, 2011
In an age bloated with information but starved for wisdom, this slim volume overflows with the voice of wisdom. I discovered four themes woven throughout L'Engle's work.
Become Childlike
First and foremost, we must return to our childhood qualities, L'Engle argues, to the openness that comes naturally when we are children. We need to live with a state of expectation, to be able to imagine the possibilities. Here's a sad truth: At the age of five, 90% of our population measures More...
Become Childlike
First and foremost, we must return to our childhood qualities, L'Engle argues, to the openness that comes naturally when we are children. We need to live with a state of expectation, to be able to imagine the possibilities. Here's a sad truth: At the age of five, 90% of our population measures More...
Apr 17, 2011
Adrienna
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This author had many valid points and able to reflect on Christianity and art. I loved some of the statements in the book as an artists/creativity with writing.
"If a reader cannot create a book along with the writer, the book will never come to life. He must become a creator, imagining the setting of the story, visualizing the characters, seeing facial expressions, hearing the inflection of voices. The author and the reader "know" each other; they meet on the bridge o More...
"If a reader cannot create a book along with the writer, the book will never come to life. He must become a creator, imagining the setting of the story, visualizing the characters, seeing facial expressions, hearing the inflection of voices. The author and the reader "know" each other; they meet on the bridge o More...
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Oct 06, 2010
Renee
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Definitely wouldn't recommend this book if you are looking for a book about actual Christianity and writing. If you're just looking for a book on writing, its not so bad--not very clearly written, sort of a hodge-podge of repeating ideas.
Mostly she speaks about Christianity in vague terms and quotes from other writers. When she actually writes about herself, you get things like this: (pages 44 - 45) "If we fall into Satan's trap of assuming that other people are not Christians More...
Mostly she speaks about Christianity in vague terms and quotes from other writers. When she actually writes about herself, you get things like this: (pages 44 - 45) "If we fall into Satan's trap of assuming that other people are not Christians More...
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Aug 05, 2009
Teresa
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This book changed the way I view myself as a writer, and strengthened my commitment to the practice of art. In this book, L'Engle offers meditations on what it takes to create art. Unlike other writing advice books, she focuses on some of the more spiritual aspects of leading a writing life.
There are three things that really stood out to me. First, she talks about writing as obedience and about being a servant to the art. She believes all great works of art are divinely inspired, an More...
There are three things that really stood out to me. First, she talks about writing as obedience and about being a servant to the art. She believes all great works of art are divinely inspired, an More...
Mar 11, 2010
Laura
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This book was recommended to me and I ordered it from the library promptly; I'd liked reading Madeleine L'Engle, and I've often discoursed on the relation of faith and art.
I was a bit disconcerted when the book arrived, however; it was a smaller volume than I'd expected, and when I started reading, it seemed rambling, disorganized, and not terribly helpful. Had I found the low point of L'Engle's work?
As a writer and a Christian, I have of course been challenged -- intern More...
I was a bit disconcerted when the book arrived, however; it was a smaller volume than I'd expected, and when I started reading, it seemed rambling, disorganized, and not terribly helpful. Had I found the low point of L'Engle's work?
As a writer and a Christian, I have of course been challenged -- intern More...
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Nov 17, 2009
Jaci
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Madeleine L'Engle writes about her art and the art of being a "Christian" writer. I took my 4th-8th grade students to hear her speak in 1988 (St. Andrews Episcopal School) and have been a life-long fan. She was forceful, opinionated, not patient with these kids and absolutely compelling.
It was interesting to read that she kept working notebooks of quotes from authors, words, ideas, etc., and revisted them frequently. She also rewrote her books and believed that discipline was More...
It was interesting to read that she kept working notebooks of quotes from authors, words, ideas, etc., and revisted them frequently. She also rewrote her books and believed that discipline was More...
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May 28, 2011
Tanya
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This has to be one of the best books on the creative process that I've ever read. Every page has at least one phrase or passage that is memorable or quotable. Whether she's talking about motivation or differentiating between Christian art (which she calls true art and which does not have to have been created by someone of the Christian faith) and a false kind of art, L'Engle shows that there is much more to being a writer than a compulsion to write (though that's certainly indicative of the gift
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Sep 27, 2010
Brian
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My interaction with Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water is likely very different from the majority of people who read it. L'Engle has a very specific audience in mind for this book, and I am not part of it. L'Engle is writing for Christians about Christian art, and Water is peppered with quotations from theologians, which, as a non-Christian, are mostly lost on me. I am further alienated from her writing by the fact that I have little experience with her other writing, so the insights into her
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Dec 21, 2011
Arti
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It's that time of the year when a quiet respite is probably the most precious gift. For the past four years since I started blogging, amidst the cacophony of December festivities, I would pick something to read that anchors me to the spiritual meaning of the occasion. I call these attempts "Reading The Season". This year, I took down from the shelf a long-time TBR, Walking On Water: Reflection On Faith And Art by Madeleine L'Engle.
After reading it, I went straight to her New More...
After reading it, I went straight to her New More...
Dec 16, 2009
Ashley
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If you are a person of faith interested in creating--writing, music, painting, sculpting, any form of creation--this book will change the way you view not only your craft, but you God and the purpose of art in the world. L'Engle is a master as delving into our souls to see why and how we create.
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Jan 19, 2012
Julie
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I could have sworn I'd read this before as I remember reading quite a few of L'Engle's nonfiction books before. But it doesn't ring a bell when I flip through it. Regardless, L'Engle has a beautifully reflective style that melds faith, art, and life even when it is simply her journals. I'm looking forward to this book, which has been on my "to read" stack for much too long.
UPDATE
Wow. This is good. So much so that I find myself marking passage after passage, only to re More...
UPDATE
Wow. This is good. So much so that I find myself marking passage after passage, only to re More...
Jul 19, 2011
Faith
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Madeleine L'Engle was not only a brilliant story teller, she was a humble, beautiful and insightful woman who, in this book, wrote many of the wisest words I have ever read--about being a writer, and artist, a woman...a human being and child of God.
I couldn't stop quoting passages to my husband, family--okay, anyone who would listen--but this was a book that was best read slowly, page by page, with time for reflection. (So the constant pausing to quote ended up being a benefit for me!) It More...
I couldn't stop quoting passages to my husband, family--okay, anyone who would listen--but this was a book that was best read slowly, page by page, with time for reflection. (So the constant pausing to quote ended up being a benefit for me!) It More...
Feb 17, 2009
Jane
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I really should read this book regularly. L'Engle offers so many lovely words of inspiration and advice. I think I'll pop it on my to -read list, just to remind myself to float through it again.
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Apr 27, 2011
Lon
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I don't know if I enjoyed this lovely book more for L'Engle's insights into faith and Christian discipleship, or for her musings on the writerly life. Maybe the gift of this book is that she combines the two. This passage is just one of the dozens I found myself underlining:
"To paint a picture or to write a story or to compose a song is an incarnational activity. The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birthgiver. In a very real sense, the artist should be like Mary who, More...
"To paint a picture or to write a story or to compose a song is an incarnational activity. The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birthgiver. In a very real sense, the artist should be like Mary who, More...
Aug 10, 2009
Laura
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The pleasure of this book is not just L'Engle's style, which is warm and inviting. The ideas here are big. In the past, creativity may have been easily dismissed, or thought of as something I do when I have time. This book challenges me and this notion. This book, along with "Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts", answers many of the questions and struggles that I have had as an 'artist' who became a Christian.
This book is *double bonus awesome* if, besides being a More...
This book is *double bonus awesome* if, besides being a More...
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Feb 26, 2009
Poiema
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I've read at least one book by Madeleine L'Engle every decade of my life, starting with _A Wrinkle in Time_ when I was a child. Madeleine's theology does not always match my own, but I deeply respect her thoughtfulness and depth. This book is about the arts. I love that Madeleine does not encourage Christians to stay with "safe" art (Thomas Kinkade comes to mind). Truth can be captured by some very unlikely artists and humanity is the richer for it. Come to think of it, I believe Mad
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Aug 02, 2011
Amberlee
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Is there a 5 star plus I can offer for a review? I ask, because this is the one book to warrant it. Ms. L'Engle beautifully presents several arguments for re-uniting the theological with the artistic, and how an artist (writer, performer, dancer, etc.) can not only bridge the gap between the two, but also clearly defines the reasons why one must. The quotes and arguments are simply stated, and honestly reasoned. This is the book I read when I question whether the pain is worth the thunder, and a
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Jul 04, 2011
Lauren
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I've been reading Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art for about 10 months June 30th. When I finally finished the book, I felt more accomplished than anything. It's never taken me that long to get through a book before, and I thought about coming on here and pretending like I'd read it in a few sittings all within a few weeks of each other, but that threatens the authenticity of this post and dampens my ethos. Don't get the impression that just because it took me al
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May 29, 2010
Kathryn
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It took me a month to read this book; not because I was not enthralled by Madeleine L’Engle’s writing (which I am), but because this is a book to be savored; and savor it I did, while reading it during my hours of Eucharistic Adoration at my church, and while eating my regular Saturday lunch at McDonald’s. And I am pleased as punch that I own this book, because it is a book to be re-read periodically, even though I am by no definition whatsoever an artist. (I have, or sometimes think I have, som
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Jan 10, 2011
H. Anne
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I'm not big on reading books on writing (particularly on how to write, which this isn't). Reading books about faith is always a little hard as it was something I did when I was younger and little insane. A friend recommended this to me years ago now and it (much like Mere Christianity which I still haven't finished) took me probably a year to read as I would pick it up and put it down and pick it up again. I wish that I'd read this when I was younger and belonged to a church that pretty much
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Sep 02, 2011
Leslie
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This is a book I come back to over and over since I first read it. I think it's a must-read for everyone, whether you consider yourself and "artist" or not. Madeliene L'Engle (who I've read and loved so much now that I feel like she's a friend, I want to meet her in heaven) has a beautifully rambly, conversational approach in this book, and because of it so much of who she is surfaces. It's like you just followed her around for a week and experienced her life and thoughts, and the t
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Aug 27, 2011
Connie
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This is my first time to read a book by Madeleine L'Engle. It took me a while to read it, simply because it is so thought-provoking it took me some time to think through some of the concepts. The premise of the book is to describe the author's thoughts and beliefs about the relationship between religious faith and one's art. Ms. L'Engle says readers asked her to write a book about being a Christian writer. In attempting to do this, she examines how God inspires artists. The trick, she seems to s
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Jun 27, 2009
Susan
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Although this book is somewhat dated, I liked many of L'Engle's main points about the connection between art and religion, and the artist as creator. I particularly liked the chapter"Icons of the True" in which she discusses what we have lost by updating the language of the book of common prayer and the Bible. Although I didn't agree with everything she advocates in Walking on Water, and although at times the book is repetitive, there is a lot to think about here. If you are interested
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Jun 14, 2010
Francine
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I read this one for several reasons: I like L'Engle and revisit something of hers from time to time; I am mentoring a young lady to Confirmation and thought it would be helpful; I a student of religion myself and reads lots of points of view to help me grow.
The book was wonderful! I don't know how I missed it before. The Spirit clearly moved me to it this time and it is so relevant. If you are open-minded and spiritual (of any sort) this little book is worth your time.
The book was wonderful! I don't know how I missed it before. The Spirit clearly moved me to it this time and it is so relevant. If you are open-minded and spiritual (of any sort) this little book is worth your time.
Feb 08, 2012
Elizabeth
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This is an amazing book. She has a wonderful style and brings up wonderful themes. I always recommend this book even if you aren't into art. She talks so much about creativity in general, notions of time, how we validate art and the artist, and her rejection that there is "Christian art" versus simply art. We are connected to the Creator and therefore art should draw us to Him, no matter where it is found. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Aug 02, 2010
Great food for thought and spiritual growth. The concepts surrounding a belief in us as co-creators with God,what it means to be a Christian artist and the child-like state of mind needed to create are discussed in a well-written, conversational way. I take from it a feeling that we are all artists or creators and for Christians, we need to have the faith that allows us to serve the work, the creation, we are called to complete. I also enjoyed learning quite a few new words; she is well-read.
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Jun 23, 2009
Charise
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In reality, this is probably a five-star book, but it's the kind of book that requires the reader to quiet their thoughts a bit and contemplate as they read; for a variety of reasons I was unable to do that and so I don't think I got as much out of it as I could have. L'Engle had a lot of meaningful things to say about art and the Christian faith working together, and I hope to read this again one day when I am better able to focus.
Mar 04, 2009
Chrisy
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This book is was very motivational for me. It's not easy to make time to make art with a full-time job, and tons of other daily tasks, but this book delves into why artists have to make time, and should not ignore our gifts: "If we're given a gift-and the size of the gift, great or small, is irrelevant-then most of must serve it, like it or not." (p. 187). L'Engle does a beatiful job describing why we were drawn to make art in the first place, the beauty, excitement, and struggle of cr
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Apr 21, 2010
Rachel
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This was a difficult read. I liked and agreed with many of her observations, but not all her conclusions. This book was very much like a journal with her rambling thoughts on Faith and Art. I like Annie Dillard and Mary Oliver more (even though they don't write specific to the subject of Faith or Faith and Art).
