"The Help" is a remarkable novel. Kathryn Stockett gave us unforgettable, vibrant, and believable characters. Each woman has her own voice, ...more"The Help" is a remarkable novel. Kathryn Stockett gave us unforgettable, vibrant, and believable characters. Each woman has her own voice, personality and story. Together they present a compelling picture of Jackson, MS during the tumultuous early 1960s. The novel gives us unique insights into race relations in the South but more importantly into the complex personal relationships of Black domestics and their employers. This is a great novel and I highly recommend it.(less)
I enjoyed "The Shack." It certainly contains a lot of interesting, thought provoking and controversial ideas. Reading it caused me to focus ...moreI enjoyed "The Shack." It certainly contains a lot of interesting, thought provoking and controversial ideas. Reading it caused me to focus and reexamine my own beliefs, especially regarding relationships with God, my family and other human beings. Relating to God and others is the principal theme of the book. The central character, Mack, learns about these relationships through his visit with God in "The Shack."
I don't consider this a classic in any way. But I found it hard to stop reading. There are plot and concept inconsistencies that bothered me a little but not enough to detract from the overall message.
While I disagree with much of William Young's theology, I agree with the idea that "God is Love" and that a proper understanding of God and relating to him enriches life. Finally knowing God and loving Him allowed Mack to unload his burdens, enjoy life, and experience joy. In a sense, the novel is more about cosmic and personal psychology than a coherent theology.
It is quite understandable why this book evokes strong feelings, positive and negative. I experienced many feelings while reading. Perhaps that is what a good book does best. It causes us to feel, think and experience. "The Shack" did that for me. (less)
Life of Pi is a rather strange novel. I didn't like it in the early chapters but it grew on me. The tale has been called fantasy, adventure, fable, al...moreLife of Pi is a rather strange novel. I didn't like it in the early chapters but it grew on me. The tale has been called fantasy, adventure, fable, allegory... It is whimsical, philosophical, spiritual, introspective... It short, there is plenty to think about in this novel.
The ending was was everything the beginning was not. In the early chapters, I felt the story was shallow and wasn't going anywhere. Through the middle of the book, I had to smile at the absurdity of the tale. In the end Martel tied all the pieces together but not in a neat little package. I'm still pondering, examining my own spirituality, faith, human frailty, fears... This was a good read but it may not be good for everyone.
Addendum: Tomislav Torjanac's illustrations in this deluxe edition are lively, vivid, and colorful - a perfect fit for the novel.(less)
I really wanted to like this book so I could share it with my grandchildren. The concept is great. The execution falls short.
While there a...moreI really wanted to like this book so I could share it with my grandchildren. The concept is great. The execution falls short.
While there are some pleasant aspects to the book, I was disappointed in many ways. The ending was a great letdown. The story was very contrived, unconvincing and and felt incomplete. But there are sections that have too much detail, too much explanation, too much verbage!
One final comment about the crude humor in the book. While there is not a lot, and certainly no profanity or vulgarity, some passages seemed too crude to share with my grandchildren, regardless of their ages.
Once again, Robert Millet has reached my heart and soul with a simple yet profound book. Each of us encounters doubt and questions along our journey o...moreOnce again, Robert Millet has reached my heart and soul with a simple yet profound book. Each of us encounters doubt and questions along our journey of faith. LDS members have been taught that doubt and faith cannot coexist. Brother Millet shows that we can have legitimate questions, even doubts, and still exercise great faith. We can believe and not know all things. (See 1 Nephi 11:17)
Brother Millet's advice is to remember the things that we do know for sure...
God, our Father in Heaven, knows and loves each of his children.
He wants us to have a knowledge of the truth.
We do not know all things, nor can we know all things right now.
We learn "line upon line..."
Answers come in the Lord's own time...
...and so forth.
We should search for answers to our questions but when we can't find the answers, those things should be placed on the shelf. We place them on the shelf because they are not as important as the core doctrines that God has revealed and we do know for sure.
In this way, we can continue on our journey of faith, ever growing in knowledge and testimony, even when we don't know all things. We can all look forward to that future day when the Lord will reveal all things. Until then, hold fast to the truth, our knowledge and our testimonies.
This is great advice. I highly recommend this book.(less)