The Singer: A Classic Retelling of Cosmic Conflict

Singer Trilogy #1

by Calvin Miller

The Singer quickly became a favorite of evangelists, pastors, artists, students, teachers and readers of all sorts when it was originally published in 1975. Retelling the story of Christ through an allegorical and poetic narrative of a Singer whose Song could not be silenced, Miller's work reinvigorated Christian literature and offered believers and seekers the world over a deeply personal encounter with the gospel. This edition features a new cover illustration by Jerry Tiritilli to complement the classic interior illustrations by Joe DeVelasco. Miller also includes a new preface in which he reveals how he came to write The Singer and how he, like so many other readers, has been transformed by its imaginative power. "The Singer is one of a handful of contemporary Christian works that will still be read a century from now." Michael Duduit, editor of Preaching "The Singer is one of those rare books that cannot have enough good said about it. It absolutely sings to us of the greatness and goodness of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline "The Singer is a classic." Leonard Sweet, author of SoulTsunami Here―again, or for the first time―is the opportunity to experience the good news as you are drawn to and immersed in this magnificent tale.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Christian, Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Christianity, Faith

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

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

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendously beautiful! 😊

[Michael K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the worst thing this book did to itself was compare its unique storytelling to JRR Tolkien & CS Lewis. It is not of the same caliber.

But the book does start off well; its description is the focus and the story is almost an afterthought. I loved it.
But then I got a few chapters in, and the lyrical tale wasn't as well written. I felt like the beginning was amazingly deep and poignant; but I felt like rest was rushed, and the story became more literal than figurative.

This is an allegorical retelling of the life of Jesus Christ; while I enjoyed the book, I think the less-than subtle tilt to a literal telling of Christ is actually what ruins it. To establish a vein of storytelling then change it makes this rendition aloof and itchy. Its almost too close a call to have incorrect information & events. It makes it seem like another testament; which detracts from the message.

If the figurative language of the first section was sustained throughout this piece, it would probably get those last stars from me.

[Phillip Marsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book more at the beginning than at the end. I really loved some parts, poetic as it is in places, and I was keen to see the development of the idea of the Song. However, there were three real issues for me:

• As an allegory, it ended up too similar to the story it was trying to retell. There’s little point in an allegory where what it entails is (almost) a direct substitution of one phrase for another in a very similar narrative. I would not have created an allegory of the Gospels were I to replace Jesus’ name with ‘Bob’ and refer to salvation as ‘getting your hair cut’, but left much of the rest as is.

• In other places, the allegory didn’t go far enough - it’s not really clear how the Singer’s death accomplishes what it is said to.

• I had some theological differences with it. The text is distinctly Arminian in tone, keen to focus on man’s effort for salvation and the Earthmaker’s inability to save those that don’t make enough of an effort. Also, it appears to obliterate the existence of the Holy Spirit as part of the Godhead.

An interesting idea with beautiful parts, but ultimately failing to carry the idea to a satisfying completion.

[Wendy]

I asked my husband for this book as a gift after I read a simple quote of Calvin Miller's in a book by Max Lucado. His writing is unique and poignant. When I saw the cover of this book and glanced through the poetic pages, I thought it would be one I had to force my way through. However, it is an amazing book, worth every second. I was in tears multiple times feeling and "watching" the Jesus of the Scripture and the God of universe and the Holy Spirit of God walk through the incomparable story of redemption. God's unmatched plan of sacrifice, salvation, and sanctification was breathed freshly upon me through the pages of this book. It is devotional, praise and reality mixed together in a truthful, Scriptural way. READ IT! This time between Christmas and Easter is a perfect time to enjoy it.

[Micah Dorsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your next favorite allegory of Jesus, similar to Hinds Feet on High places but mainly derived straight from the gospels.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book more than 30 years ago, and just re-read it for the first time, with great enjoyment. In the intervening years, the late Calvin Miller became a dear friend as we worked on several books together. "The Singer" is an artful allegorical poem that does justice to the "larger story" which served as Calvin's inspiration through numerous late-night/early-morning writing sessions that gave birth to "The Singer." His is a voice in publishing and I truly miss.

[Dustin Bagby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and enjoyable read but it lacks the subtleties of Lewis or Tolkien that made them so great.

[Lauren :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful allegory of the life of Christ, but at times feels like a retelling of the story but with all of the names changed. I would love to see this as a fully illustrated kids book, as it does a really great job of fully explaining the gospel without needing to understand the context of ancient Judaea. I love the songs metaphor 7.5/10

[Erin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic allegorical poem! It was so simple in story, but the Gospel is simple! And beautiful! And even being a simple poem of heartfelt prose, it was so rich in theology, and painted a breathtaking picture of Christ’s love and the gift of life He offers the world.

[Darin Dalida · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mythical and prosaic take on the story of Christ/Gospels of the New Testament. You have to accept that there is some license and that this isn't 1:1 - and that's OK! I really appreciated the story telling and pacing/formatting of it. There are lines that are so poignant I was moved to tears due to the illustrative ways the love and work of Christ is described or the brokenness of humanity and the healing power of forgiveness.

If you enjoy Narnia and the Space Trilogy of Lewis - or the cosmic struggle of good and evil in Tolkien...you will enjoy this. It's a very quick read but very rewarding.

[Kenan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read, but I wouldn't say the writing blew me away. I went into this blind, so it was a nice surprise to discover it was a retelling of Jesus Christ's life. It was a nice rekindle of faith; I recommend it if you want to read a Christian text. There were some lines I found exceptionally beautiful, but other than that, the writing was just nice. I liked the poem-to-story format; it is what made this book unique. It started at 2-3/5 stars but ended at a solid 3 stars. So, it's not bad at all it's pretty good. Plus it's a very light read so if you're looking for something short and sweet, read The Singer!

[Jaeyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter of this book is the most compelling call to create, to create beautiful things, to not hold back one's creativity for fear of anything. It made me want to pull out my charcoals and find a model. It made me want to dance. It made me want to sing. The call is direct and powerful.

If the whole book was like this, I would have given it 5 stars. But as I continued, I felt that while creative and beautiful, the Christ-life allegory was almost too strong. I *LIKE* this retelling, this fresh (from nearly 40 years ago) perspective, coming at the story we all know in a different way. I like the poetry-that's-almost-but-not-quite-prose, especially since it is my opinion that the best of prose is almost-but-not-quite-poetry anyways. Honestly, a wonderful book. Short, easy to read, yet with depth not found in other "Christian Fiction", such as that tribulation series that was so popular in the late nineties and those romance novels that are all exactly the same and yeah I could go on.

I recommend the book even if you have trouble finding a copy (they had it at Powell's but I only saw one on the shelf), the second paragraph really was only a small caveat, as with the way this book started, I felt I had to explain why I couldn't give it 5 stars.

[Matthijs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This excitingly poetic allegory of the life of Christ by Calvin Miller started out very beautiful, but didn't live up to its expectations. This is not because of its beautiful poetic language that Miller put on paper. My main disappointment was with the in-your-face nature of the allegory. Though it started subtle and engaging, it soon is no more than a quite literal retelling of important events in the life of Jesus, only with some of the elements replaced by more allegorical elements that are are actually more often than not too direct a reference. This makes the allegory at points crude instead of subtle.
Read this book for its poetic language and fresh look on Jesus's life, not for a subtle allegory on His life.

[Macey (Austin) Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a beautiful story and analogy.

“Two artists met one time within a little wood. Each brought his finest painting stroked by his complete uniqueness. When each revealed his canvas to the other — they were identical. So once in every solar system there are two fingerprints alike. But only once.”

“When God loses his beloved, habeas corpus is a weak and futile law. But Earthlings never seem to learn that it is futile to dredge the graveyards for messiahs. No matter how intently you may man the cables, the grappling hooks will always come up empty.”

[Carol L. Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's poetic prose, an allegory of Christ. It is beautifully written. It reminded me a little of Tolkien's Silmarillian in the song of creation. I love the words Miller uses for God: Earthmaker and Father-Spirit. The song singer is called Troubadour. It's a short read. It moves fast and carries the reader along. If you are familiar with the New Testament, you will recognize the few characters in the story. If you aren't familiar with the New Testament, you are in for a great surprise!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a creative allegory, but I was disappointed. The book didn't surprise me as I hoped it would. Most importantly, every move Miller made was painfully obvious; there was no subtlety or sense of mystery and wonder. Miller took the narrative in intriguing directions, but I guess I was just hoping to be more impressed. Maybe I was expecting Lewis.

[Christine Hiester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning allegorical retelling of the gospel story.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
This is an interesting allegorical story of the gospels, written in verse. Because it's in verse it's a rather quick read. It's also fairly condensed. "The Singer" represents Jesus, while God is occasionally called "Earthmaker" and the devil is "World Hater." Quite a bit is made of the rivalry between the Singer and World Hater.

I'd agree with reviewers who think this should not be marketed as being "in the tradition of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien." It may be allegory, but Lewis and Tolkien were not nearly this direct about their allegories (and even Tolkien would not have agreed that "allegory" was the word to describe his writing). Lewis was subtle, and didn't seem to go out of his way to "reveal" most of his allegorical elements. The Singer, on the other hand, is very direct. There are no characters that are not allegorical representations of someone in the gospels (or of groups or types of people). That means this is probably not going to appeal to someone who hasn't already read and enjoyed the gospels.

I'd consider this closer to a mash-up of Godspell and the Pilgrim's Progress. In a sense I felt like I was missing an important element of the story since so much is made of the Singer, and the Song, and instruments and melodies. Still, translating something that feels so musical to words is not easy, and while the story felt a bit uneven to me, it was a nice "epic poem" of sorts that put a different context to an ancient story.

[Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Singer is a beautiful allegorical almost operatic retelling of the Gospels set in a mystical science-fiction fantasy version of the world rendered in epic verse. It is absolutely beautiful with profoundly deep truths rendered in simple short verses such as these:

She seemed to understand, and because
he loved her childish eyes so much
he made her ready for the future.

“Do you love me, child?” he asked.

“With all my heart,” she answered.

“And would you give me anything I
asked of you?” he said.

“Anything!” she answered.

“It may be hard to give me all I
ask. Not long ago, in the name of love,
I gave you legs. Yesterday
that very love demanded mine. But
the Song is all that matters. It
may be you will have to sing it
where the crowd will shout you
down and demand your legs or life.
But it would be far better to give
them both than to surrender up the
music in your soul. Some will
hate you for the song you love.
They will seek to stop your singing.
But no matter how they treat you,
remember that I suffered everything
before you. And it they should
brand you with a name across
your face…”

“It cannot stay, if heaven disagrees,”
she finished up his statement.

I'm glad to have this book and its sequels on my shelf and will definitely be immersing myself in this song again in the future.

[Wes F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 2nd reading of Calvin Miller's classic re-telling of the Gospel narrative in poetic free form. It's been 30+ years since I last read it, so was refreshing to read through & see its creativity. There was nothing like this before Miller--in 1975--got the inspiration in the middle of the nights and started writing down what flowed through him. Miller wrote this while a pastor of a rather small church in Omaha, Nebraska; it exploded on the Christian publishing scene and Miller never looked back. I'm looking forward to reading the other 2 parts of what become The Singer Trilogy--The Song, and The Finale. I was inspired to read this after recently working through Miller's excellent memoir, Life is Mostly Edges. We've carried this paperback trilogy bookset around the world with us since 1987, as it has our old book stamp with my wife's childhood IL address in it. Amazing. Both that little tidbit--and the book itself.

[Karissa C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never fully settled into this book. The style was magnetic but detached, and every time I thought I had my feet under me, Miller pulled out the rug again.

But I kept reading, finished it, then aimed to go on with life. . . and somehow couldn't.

Little phrases kept popping up in my mind. Something else I would read or hear or think about would pull back a scene from The Singer. I found that the way Miller had laid out this story was digging deeper and deeper into my mind with each day that I tried not to think about it.

I still don't fully know what to think about it, but if an allegory's role is to convey truth in a new and unforgettable way, then Miller absolutely succeeded.

At the very least, give it a read. . . then wait and see what happens.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whimsical, poetic, and delightful retelling of an old, old story.

"And those who know the Ancient Star-
Song watch with singing for the
sign of footprints in the galaxies
through which the little planet
rides in routine cycles of despair.
But Joy seldom sleeps for long.
And someday in a lonely moment man-
kind will shake an unfamiliar hand
and find it wounded." p. 151

"'Some will hate you for the song you love.
They will seek to stop your singing.
But no matter how they treat you,
remember that I suffered everything
before you. And if they should
brand you with a name across
your face . . . '

'It cannot stay, if heaven disagrees.'" p. 143

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book.

What beautiful images.

This is an allegory or prose poem written about the life and death of Christ.

A very fitting Christmas present for me.

[Kent Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to rate a book that seems to be a poem but I found myself with goosebumps a couple of times.

[Clay Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book depicts the story of Jesus in a beautifully poetic and other worldly sense. Very well written

[Pam Bierbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this so many years ago! Sooo good!

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the simple poetry of his thoughts, I find profundity.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but I didn't love it. An allegorical science-fiction verse retelling of the gospel, Miller's The Singer was very interesting. The poetry itself was pretty good; I loved the line "It rippled through Andromeda/ and deepened Vega's hues." which described the "Ancient Star-Song" of the Singer. In places, it wasn't especially poetic, particularly near the middle, but most of it was certainly well-written enough to be enjoyable. I liked some of the elements that were adapted, the prostitute becomes a "Friendship Seller" and the man possessed by Legion becomes Madman, possessed by The Crowd, who, when cured becomes the Singer's disciple, filling the role of all twelve apostles. The focus on the message of love was also a high point as was the "divinity through music" idea, but at times Miller could have painted a little more clearly just the sort of selfless love he is trying to promote. The biggest issue with this was in the "Star-Song" itself, which hinted at and around the love we, as people, owe to all others but did not express it. On the flip side, it was expressed, as in the actual story of Jesus of Nazareth, in the actions of the main character.
There is one more reason I gave this book only three stars. As it is religious, and specifically Christian, in nature, and I am non-religious with an especial dislike for the frequent abuses of monotheistic religions (such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism), my enjoyment of the work is hindered by any sense of a religious agenda, while my appreciation of the piece as a poem and clever allegory are still in full force. I have often found I appreciate some works more than I actually like them, and this is one of those works; appreciate it for sure, only like it a little.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy poetry or allegory, especially to those who like Christian religious works.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I begin to tell what I think of this book? It is not as much of a book as it is a song, lyrical and poetic. The title first caught my eye when I found this for 50 cents at a thrift store. I read the book in one afternoon (it is a short, easy read) and fell in love. This is a book I wish I had written. The music analogy spoke to me so deeply.

Some favorite lines:

"The Singer scooped the frightened child into his arms. He sang and set her in the sunny fields and thrilled to watch her run. The world was hers in a way she'd never known. The butterfly-filled meadows danced her eyes alive and drew her scurrying away."

"The Singer felt a burst of pity. 'We sometimes give ourselves to hate in masquerade and only think it love. And all our lives we sing the song we thought was right. The Canyon of the Damned is filled with singers who thought they knew a love song. . . Listen while I sing for you a song of love.'"

"'What would you like to be when you grow up, little girl?'
'Alive.'"

"'. . . the Song is all that matters. It may be you will have to sing it where the crowd will shut you down and demand your legs or life. But it would be far better to give them both than to surrender up the music in your soul. Some will hate you for the song you love. They will seek to stop your singing. But no matter how they treat you, remember that suffered everything before you.'"

Beautiful book.