Home Is Always the Place You Just Left: A Memoir of Restless Longing and Persistent Grace

by Betty Smartt Carter

The author chronicles her lifelong quest for a meaningful faith, recounting the spiritual journey that began with her conservative evangelical upbringing, to the struggles and doubts of early adulthood, marriage, and motherhood, to an experience of grace that would bring healing and joy to the broken places in her life. Original.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[hadashi · Rating 2 out of 5]

i can't remember how this book was recommended to me, but as memoirs go, this is a pretty quick read written by a PK (pastor's kid) who grew up in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. her childhood memories are sharp and often quite poignant, especially as she describes how her relationship to God was formed over the years. although i could relate to some of her experiences, overall, the story lacked a certain amount of focus and narrative structure. Betty's got good stuff to say, sure, but i think only PKs/MKs/GUBAs (growing up born-again) can really appreciate the subtleties of her journey -- how one can walk all of one's life with God present but still be a broken person, as we all are, and need to come to Him on one's own unique, personal terms.

[Readnponder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a spiritual memoir similar to "Girl Meets God" by Lauren Winner and was disappointed. There are some great lines in this book, but overall I had a hard time pinpointing Betty's difficulty and how she overcame it. She tends to get fixated on a person and smothers them with attention, wants to be with them continuously, etc. And then, in the last chapter, somehow God has filled the emptiness and all is well. I missed how that transpired. It was enjoyable to compare notes with another woman's experience growing up in a conservative denomination. I am employed at a church in the denomination Betty's father founded in the 1970s. The book helped me see the back story to some of those days.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the author's candor as she talked about her life and her faith journey. It's an interesting and quick read.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It says under the title that it is a memoir of restless longing and persistent grace. I think that describes it perfectly.