This classic, with a new introduction by Madeleine L'Engle, is by turns an entrancing mediation on language; a piercing commentary on the nature of...
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Dec 06, 2008
Skylar
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The Mind of the Maker is an unusual amalgam of theology and commentary on writing and art. As a Christian and a writer, I assumed I would enjoy this book. It is, in part, an attempt to elucidate the nature of God (and many of the questions that accompany belief in God, such as questions about evil, free will, and sin) by way of metaphorical comparison to the act of writing. And although it did at times succeed in elucidating matters (there was an aha! moment or two--yes, that makes it make mor
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Mar 07, 2011
Andrew
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[The following review is a "book summary" written for a class. The style employed is required in the syllabus. If you have suggestions on how to improve the review please let me know as this is not due until May of 2011.]
In The Mind of the Maker novelist, playwright, and theologian, Dorothy Sayers discusses the doctrine of trinity by comparing God’s creativity to the human creative process. By unfolding how human beings (specifically writers, since that was her own craft) c More...
In The Mind of the Maker novelist, playwright, and theologian, Dorothy Sayers discusses the doctrine of trinity by comparing God’s creativity to the human creative process. By unfolding how human beings (specifically writers, since that was her own craft) c More...
Feb 18, 2010
John
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In this work, Sayers delves into the inner workings of the creative process, approaching it from psychological, philosophical, and theological grounds. Based on the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, she articulates a tripartite process to describe an artist in the midst of creation, analyzing the reasons why an artist might produce both good and bad art. The result is certainly complex and not for the faint of heart.
That said, her discussion of the act of human creation as something More...
That said, her discussion of the act of human creation as something More...
Aug 17, 2009
Jon
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I am pretty sure this is a good book, but I read it in a hurry when I was tired. Sooo...this is due for a re-read. There is a lot of meat here that I wasn't able to unpack in my initial cursory reading.
Sayers draws an analogy between the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the process of artistic creation. That is each operson of the Trinity is analgous to different aspects of creating a work of art. She chooses the art of writing simply because that is the form of art she is most fam More...
Sayers draws an analogy between the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the process of artistic creation. That is each operson of the Trinity is analgous to different aspects of creating a work of art. She chooses the art of writing simply because that is the form of art she is most fam More...
Sep 14, 2009
Jonathan
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Well Mrs. Sayers... you sound like Lewis and Chesterton. That's a very good and, at times, a somewhat frustrating characteristic.
She writes on art, man, and God. Sayers has much good to say and said it well, but her conception of God's sovereingty and the free will of men seems haphazard.
The most enjoyable chapter in this book was entitled "Scalene Trinities." This was an elucidation of her theory for literary criticism as well as a defense of the Trinitari More...
She writes on art, man, and God. Sayers has much good to say and said it well, but her conception of God's sovereingty and the free will of men seems haphazard.
The most enjoyable chapter in this book was entitled "Scalene Trinities." This was an elucidation of her theory for literary criticism as well as a defense of the Trinitari More...
Mar 15, 2011
Frank
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Sayers uses the metaphor of the Trinity to examine the artistic process, or, she uses the metaphor of the artistic process to explain the Trinity. Either way, it works very well. God is the ultimate artist/creator, and it is the creative impulse in Man that is after his Creator's image.
The metaphor works like this: God the Father is the Idea, the Vision, the Inspiration. The Son is the Activity: the passion and effort and the physical manifestation of the creative urge, the Visi More...
The metaphor works like this: God the Father is the Idea, the Vision, the Inspiration. The Son is the Activity: the passion and effort and the physical manifestation of the creative urge, the Visi More...
Nov 27, 2011
Rebekah
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First, the author makes it clear that this book is neither a work of apologetics nor an expression of her personal religious beliefs, but a commentary on particular statements contained in Christian creeds. The specific statements she addresses are those regarding the nature of God, especially in His capacity as Creator. Her intention is to show how these characteristics attributed to God are applicable to the human mind engaged in imaginative creation as well.
Sayers acknowledges that man More...
Sayers acknowledges that man More...
Oct 09, 2009
Andrea
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Sayers argues that the trinity is part of man's inherent nature and illustrates this through an examination of the human creative process. Her views of literature are fairly traditional and may strike some as outdated. But her observations on the formal unities and on the differences between literary art and reality are fascinating. Christian readers will find her insights into the analogy of human to divine nature fascinating. Highly recommended for writers and "close" readers who
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Apr 10, 2011
Catherine
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I've wanted to read this book for years, and it is everything I'd hoped it would be. Very like C.S. Lewis, which is high praise indeed. It's a synthesis of literary theory and theology, which means that it could have been written only for me. The first quarter, where she's setting up her thesis, made me think I'd dropped a few IQ points - it is very dense - but it is a very happy ride from then on. This is now one of my favorite books.
Nov 27, 2009
Margaret
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In this book detective writer/playwright/Christian philosopher Dorothy Sayers makes a case for the way in which we are created in the Creator's image: in our role as creator, especially artistic creator. She uses her experience as a writer to illumine the three aspects of the Trinity in a way that clarified for me this mysterious doctrine.
Feb 18, 2011
Matthew
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This metaphor of the tri-unitary nature of creativity (Idea, Energy, Power) that Sayers explores should be instructive to any artist. Secularists and non-Christians may have trouble with the religious language, but, as Sayers points out in the introduction, this is not a work of Christian apologetics, and should be accessible to any open-minded artist.
Jul 21, 2009
Gwen
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C.S. Lewis said that he liked Dorothy Sayers “for the extraordinary zest and edge of her conversation—as I like a high wind.” I heartily agree. In fact, there is so much zest and edge in Sayers’ conversation that half the time, I thought I was reading Lewis. The Mind of the Maker is, by turns, a dazzling exploration of the Trinitarian nature of creativity, a keen meditation on language, and a piercing commentary on art. With insight to match her prose, Sayers captures truths you did not think co
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May 29, 2009
Margaret
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This happens to be one of my favorite books. I reread it often and have kind of a semi-tradition of starting it on Trinity Sunday. I find Sayers' analogies helpful in thinking both about theology and about writing.
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Jan 04, 2011
David
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This book has had lasting influence on my own writing. Any Christian artist should read this book and any artist who would like to understand the Christian concept of God should as well.
Feb 16, 2009
Karen L.
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Well, this was a tough book to get through. It took so much concentration to follow Sayers arguments. If I could rate it a 2&1/2, I would have, but you can't do that. My reason for wanting a 2&1/2 would be that I did like parts of the book. She did have some very ingenious insights that I would love to save for quoting. I guess she was such a brilliant woman, and I am one of average intelligence, and have an inability to process anything complicated without reading it over and over. I found her
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Aug 12, 2008
booklady
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A most interesting look at the Trinity. Although I have never thought of God in such an abstract way before and still don't especially care for this perspective, that is my own shortcoming not the book's. I prefer a more personable God, something tangible, which undoubtedly says more about me than God. God is infinite and capable of encompassing Ms. Sayer's notion(s) of Him -- plus ever so much more -- without compromising my own limited views. Still I found her ideas challenging. She made
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Feb 02, 2010
Dave
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Stunningly revelatory in every way - especially the chapters
"Idea, Power, and Energy'
'Scalene Trinities' and
'Free Will and Miracle.'
"Idea, Power, and Energy'
'Scalene Trinities' and
'Free Will and Miracle.'
Aug 14, 2010
Raymond
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One of the foundational books on Christianity and writing or any other creative process.
May 07, 2009
Sherwood
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This was the first book about writing that I found heartening as well as inspiring.
Jul 11, 2009
Sarah
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Trying to understand the role of the creative artist through the Creator or trying to understand the Creator through the creative artist. Both equally important and almost impossible to do. Let's just say that if you treat your "work" as if it were an act of creation and never forget who gave you the abiliy to create, then your life will never be boring. I would read this book if you have this outlook in life. She helps the creative artist understand the role of the Trinity in and when
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Jun 14, 2010
Cera
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I loved this, and want to read it again much more slowly while taking notes. It's an explanation of the Trinity by reference to the creative mind, and is just the sort of theology I find both stimulating and helpful.
Sep 15, 2011
Readnponder
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Sayers examines the Trinity in this book and then compares it to the human creative process. It's not enough to have an idea, you must also be able to "incarnate" it.
Frankly, a lot of it was over my head, which is a deficiency on my part, not Sayers.
The book did motivate me to purchase a biography of Dorothy Sayers and start reading her Peter Wimsey mysteries. I'll try more of her theological writings after forming a better foundation.
Frankly, a lot of it was over my head, which is a deficiency on my part, not Sayers.
The book did motivate me to purchase a biography of Dorothy Sayers and start reading her Peter Wimsey mysteries. I'll try more of her theological writings after forming a better foundation.
Aug 08, 2008
A.K.
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This wonderful book fleshes out Tolkien's concept of humans as sub'creators. Sayers does a great job showing how the creative process can be broken down into three parts that correlate to each person of the Trinity. I love this exploration of the mind of the maker. Some points may be a bit of a stretch but, overall, this book seems to crystalize so much of what is true but never spoken.
May 24, 2010
Mike
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This was a great exploration into the task of writing using the trinity as a model. I was intrigued by Sayers' observation. About midway through I asked myself what this had to do with me (not being a writer) and was pleasantly surprised when this very question was the topic of her final chapter.
Dec 16, 2009
Alex
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One of the very best books I have ever read. I don't know why Dorothy Sayers isn't considered one of the world's greatest geniuses. She should be just as well known as Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, etc.
Jul 09, 2008
Paule
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I'm going to have to reread this one a couple more times to grasp it all. Her vocabulary is incredible. I can't believe the number of words I don't even recognize.
Sep 17, 2007
Susan
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Literary (art)criticism from a Christian Philosophical base. Challenging reading, but profound.
