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Our Hearts Are Restless : The Art of Spiritual Memoir
A guided tour of spiritual autobiography that grants readers new insights and appreciation of the genre
The genre of spiritual autobiography has flourished ever since Augustine essentially invented it in the fourth century. In Our Hearts Are Restless, Richard Lischer--himself the author of two spiritual memoirs--takes readers on a guided tour of the genre, examining the life writings of twenty-one
figures from the obvious (Thomas Merton) to the surprising (James Baldwin); and from the ancient (the aforementioned Augustine) to the contemporary (Anne Lamott).
Lischer is a perceptive reader and interpreter of these writings, and a thoughtful and engaging guide to the genre. Readers will come away with new insights into these figures' lives--spiritual and otherwise--but also a new appreciation of the art and craft of spiritual writing.
The genre of spiritual autobiography has flourished ever since Augustine essentially invented it in the fourth century. In Our Hearts Are Restless, Richard Lischer--himself the author of two spiritual memoirs--takes readers on a guided tour of the genre, examining the life writings of twenty-one
figures from the obvious (Thomas Merton) to the surprising (James Baldwin); and from the ancient (the aforementioned Augustine) to the contemporary (Anne Lamott).
Lischer is a perceptive reader and interpreter of these writings, and a thoughtful and engaging guide to the genre. Readers will come away with new insights into these figures' lives--spiritual and otherwise--but also a new appreciation of the art and craft of spiritual writing.
- GenresSpiritualityWriting
400 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 14, 2024
An Unusual Rewarding Book
To read this book feels as though one has been the author's companion walking through time to meet an interesting range of people, so as to learn of the circumstances of their lives and of their experience of God, as evidenced by their spiritual memoir(s).
Clarified and expanded my knowledge. Furthered my own spiritual self-knowledge. Has prompted me to read the spiritual memoirs of some individuals not known to me, and/or with whom I felt affinity.
A very rewarding read.
To read this book feels as though one has been the author's companion walking through time to meet an interesting range of people, so as to learn of the circumstances of their lives and of their experience of God, as evidenced by their spiritual memoir(s).
Clarified and expanded my knowledge. Furthered my own spiritual self-knowledge. Has prompted me to read the spiritual memoirs of some individuals not known to me, and/or with whom I felt affinity.
A very rewarding read.
April 22, 2026
Richard Lischer analyseert 21 geestelijke memoires: die van Augustinus, Thomas Merton, Julian(a) van Norwich, Emily Dickinson, John Bunyan, Agnes Beaumont, Petrus Abelardus en Heloïse, Etty Hillesum, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, Reynold Price, Thérèse van Lisieux, Harriet Jacobs, Dorothy Day, Anne Lamott, Heidi Neumark, James Baldwin, Dennis Covington, Richard Rodriquez.
Lischer doet dat door hun levens na te vertellen en tussendoor wat reflectieve opmerkingen te maken en dwarsverbanden te leggen. Niet elk hoofdstuk is even sterk, maar zeker de hoofdstukken over de eigentijdse geestelijke memoires zijn de moeite waard.
Lischer doet dat door hun levens na te vertellen en tussendoor wat reflectieve opmerkingen te maken en dwarsverbanden te leggen. Niet elk hoofdstuk is even sterk, maar zeker de hoofdstukken over de eigentijdse geestelijke memoires zijn de moeite waard.
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August 27, 2024A lot to think about within these pages.
January 30, 2025
I have read several chapters and have many more to read. I chose chapters about people who were familiar to me--Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Emily Dickinson, Annie Lamott, Kathleen Norris, Reynolds Price, Augustine. That is a pretty mixed grouping! I have read a few about people who were less familiar--Julian of Norwich for one.
What I appreciate is the way this book will send me into more reading of primary sources--the memoirs of the authors listed above. And I will reread Lischer's first memoir and look for the second one he wrote about the loss of his son.
So, even with lots more to read, I know this is a five star read for me.
------------Agnes Beaumont--who rode behind John Bunyan on his horse and caused a scandal--and wrote an autobiography to defend herself years later. She was found innocent of the death of her father.
-----------Dennis Covington who was intrigued by snake handlers and tried it himself and wrote about it.
------------James Baldwin--a familiar name but this book emphasized his spiritual journey.
After reading Reynold Price's A Whole New Life, I reread Lischer's chapter on Price and appreciated his synthesis even more. I also read Lischer's account of his son's life and death which was profoundly moving and worth reading.
What I appreciate is the way this book will send me into more reading of primary sources--the memoirs of the authors listed above. And I will reread Lischer's first memoir and look for the second one he wrote about the loss of his son.
So, even with lots more to read, I know this is a five star read for me.
------------Agnes Beaumont--who rode behind John Bunyan on his horse and caused a scandal--and wrote an autobiography to defend herself years later. She was found innocent of the death of her father.
-----------Dennis Covington who was intrigued by snake handlers and tried it himself and wrote about it.
------------James Baldwin--a familiar name but this book emphasized his spiritual journey.
After reading Reynold Price's A Whole New Life, I reread Lischer's chapter on Price and appreciated his synthesis even more. I also read Lischer's account of his son's life and death which was profoundly moving and worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews