Becky Preston
asked:
I am looking for a good book for a Christian women's book club. Any thoughts on this one from those of you that have read it?
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The Dearly Beloved,
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Elease
After listening to this audiobook, I feel like I should ask how one defines "Christian" because, seriously, this book was not it for me (see my review for details). As a Reformed Presbyterian (and raised as a Southern Baptist), I'm 100% confident that my sisters in my local church would not identify with the faith of these characters. The novel mostly considers God as a being, with zero mention of Christ, salvation, or anything else that sets Christianity apart from other monotheistic religions in terms of the characters' internal struggles with faith.
To be fair, your book club would certainly have things to discuss...I have plenty of thoughts following my listen to this one! But the faith that is addressed is barely in the same ballpark of what I'd hope Bible-believing, Gospel-centered churches would call faith.
To be fair, your book club would certainly have things to discuss...I have plenty of thoughts following my listen to this one! But the faith that is addressed is barely in the same ballpark of what I'd hope Bible-believing, Gospel-centered churches would call faith.
Charlene Couvillon
This book is wonderful. As a Christian, I have and have had doubts and so do these people. They are tested and the book explores how they and we handle these tests—do we become angry? Do we just accept that “it’s God’s will”?
If you Club is open to seeing Christians struggle and question, this book is great. If your club only wants sunshine and roses and the happy times in life, maybe not.
This book was so real and authentic to me! I am buying a copy for my minister.
If you Club is open to seeing Christians struggle and question, this book is great. If your club only wants sunshine and roses and the happy times in life, maybe not.
This book was so real and authentic to me! I am buying a copy for my minister.
Jean Masthay
Perfect material for discussion. Explores a wide range of questions about God and relationships in the faith community setting.
Laura Young
The best supporting character, bossy and wise church secretary Jane Atlas, almost makes "The Dearly Beloved" worth reading, all on her own. However, the four main characters, two ministers and their wives, are also sympathetic and interesting, with backgrounds that have informed their varying approaches to faith. Charles’ rather vague beliefs remind me of the old joke about some Christians being the “chosen frozen.” James provides insight into church-goers with a strong and admirable focus on social justice issues but not much else. Nan finds that a Christianity based on simply being nice and following the rules doesn’t bring fulfillment. Then there is Lily, the resolved atheist with a brokenness from her past. I find myself longing for these characters to discover a living relationship with the God who created them; with Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of faith; and with the Holy Spirit, who works grace into our lives even before we are aware of it. Instead, whether author Cara Wall intends it or not, their lives from 1953 to 1970 serve as an illustration of how much of today’s mainstream church came to be in its present condition. If all this seems like fruitful topics of discussion for your book club, then this book would be a good fit. For readers who find yourselves in the depictions of faith presented here, I implore you not to be satisfied with that. The Christian faith is so much more. Explore the Bible; find a follower of Jesus to assist you. If you want to read more fiction, try out "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, a Gold Rush-era story based on Hosea, a prophet told by God to marry a prostitute.
Sabine
I think you will like this book whether you are Christian or not and whether or not you are religious. It is so life affirming and beautifully written without sugar coating things. I think your book club will love it.
Marcy Wolkow
Ah, there it is. The definition of a Christian. Let me say The Dearly Beloved is a profound book for a discerning discussion. I like for a book to cause me to ponder, and not judge another Christian (albeit fictional) by her faith. I was raised in a legalistic home, and learned of God's grace many, MANY years later. This is a lovely book, one that observes another's walk, and learns. Go for it.
Margaret Evans
I think it's a fantastic book for a Christian women's book club, but only if your club is open to exploring many different "faces" of faith. The characters are beautifully drawn – I recognized something of myself in each of them – and the writing is exquisite. It's an engrossing story, deeply moving, that grapples with difficult theological questions and ideas. I absolutely loved it.
Tonya
This isn't really a Christian book, but more of a musing on religious philosophy. I really think everything would have been better if Jesus was a part of their faith. Your Christian book club will have gads to talk about with this one!
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