The Valiant Papers

by Calvin Miller

Book by Calvin Miller

Genres: Fantasy, Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction

155 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Calvin Miller has written over 40 books of popular theology and inspiration. A former pastor, he is professor of preaching and pastoral ministry at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife, Joyce, have two grown children.

Reviews

[Heidi Whitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, this book seemed tedious and almost cutesy, from the vantage point of a guardian angel watching over a young unbelieving man. Not as well written as the Screwtape Letters, but the insights offered on sex versus worship are priceless! The ending is bittersweet.

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book at least 20 years ago, but only held a vague remembrance of it. This book is a strong 4 stars; gets a little pedantic in spots, but so fascinating to consider redemption and sanctification from the viewpoint of an unfallen angelic being, who has need of neither. A real joy.

[Anna Cheek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up randomly in one of those free little library's they have around neighborhoods because it looked kind of fun and interesting, the idea of a guardian angel and what that angel might encounter with his/her "client." And while I think it definitely did peak my interest in the beginning, toward the middle I began to realize the story wouldn't have too much narrative direction, as I was hoping it might. I think it was more of an exploration on the divine with comments on evangelicalism peppered throughout Valiant's, the guardian angel, musings of "Muddyscuttle," i.e. Earth.

It was a quick read, but I found myself pushing forward just to finish. I'm realizing that I definitely had some different expectations for it and so that is perhaps why it's getting a 3/5 from me.

[booklearner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recognized this author’s name in the church library because of a children’s book of poems my sister and I had when growing up. There were so many great rhymes in When the Aardvark Parked on the Ark and we even dramatized a few on audio. I highly recommend that book! I was curious to see what his adult fiction was like.

This book has been compared to Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. In a sort of way, I can see the similarity of themes on angels writing epistles. Unfortunately, I think the similarity stops there. The version I read was published in 1988 and felt very dated. The pictures felt too childlike for a novel for adults. I was hoping for some great quotes and deep insight among spiritual things, but didn’t come away with much. I didn’t always care for Valiant’s shortsighted perspective, but did appreciate that he was portrayed as a created being who had things to learn from humans.

Feeling a little disappointed over this one, but I plan on reading at least one more from this author. I understand he’s written a few other books of poetry which I have begun collecting because I so enjoyed him as a kid.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looks from the cover like it would be part of Singer Trilogy from its unusual shape (4 ½ X 8 ½ inches) and pen and ink drawings on the cover and throughout the book. Yet it is written in a completely different style.

Instead of being a narrative poem, it is the story of a life - the story of a life told from the perspective of the person's guardian angel. The story is written as though it were true, and Miller found this strange manuscript that disappeared as he copied it.

The book chronicles the life of a businessman who lives an unsavory lifestyle, until just before the end when he becomes a Christian. It tells of the changes he attempts to make in his life, both the successes and the failures.

It is an interesting read. Yet I doubt the 'Angelic' perspective in the book. The Angel seems too whiny and human to have been an angel and the actual author of the book. I would state that it is an OK book by an author who has achieved greatness in some of his other writings.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the "documentation" as transcribed by a man who "discovers" the missives of his guardian angel, Valliant, who is reporting in on his progress to lead this man to God. It is an interesting look into the choices we make along our path in life and how they are influenced. Very thought provoking. Along the lines of C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" but taken from the other side!