This novel has some mesmerizingly well-written parts, but then there was a long section where I grew bored, and the ending I felt was both unsatifsyinThis novel has some mesmerizingly well-written parts, but then there was a long section where I grew bored, and the ending I felt was both unsatifsying and, frankly, repulsive. I kept imaginging it could have been different and better. I'm surprised it is as well-reviewed and awarded as it is....more
In 2015 at the Yale Writer's Conference in my Memoir Intensive group, Williams's granddaughter was also a member, working on a memoir of her grandfathIn 2015 at the Yale Writer's Conference in my Memoir Intensive group, Williams's granddaughter was also a member, working on a memoir of her grandfather. So I feel a more intimate connection with the great poet. One evening our group went to the beach house on the Sound of another member of the group, and it was pointed out that Williams had lived nearby.
This fine little book selects highlights from his works. He had a keen sense of attention to the world around him and a joyful use of words, most obvious in the title poem, which I remember discussing at length in some college class....more
What a good book. Great pictures, funny content, and also a helpful story about feelings. We all get grumpy and don't always know why. A great book toWhat a good book. Great pictures, funny content, and also a helpful story about feelings. We all get grumpy and don't always know why. A great book to read with our son any day, but particularly on a day when he is grumpy!...more
Enard turns a few historical fragments and suggestions into a story of Michelangelo traveling to Istanbul to design a bridge over the Golden Horn, inEnard turns a few historical fragments and suggestions into a story of Michelangelo traveling to Istanbul to design a bridge over the Golden Horn, in this at times mesmerizing tale of inspiration....more
I must say that I enjoy the film Babette's Feast more than this short story, and the others stories in the collection had their moments, but overall II must say that I enjoy the film Babette's Feast more than this short story, and the others stories in the collection had their moments, but overall I didn't find them all that satisfying....more
Enjoyable for its presentation of a Midwesterner businessman a century ago, but I did not like Babbitt as much as I did Lewis's Arrowsmith. I preferreEnjoyable for its presentation of a Midwesterner businessman a century ago, but I did not like Babbitt as much as I did Lewis's Arrowsmith. I preferred both the book and the character in the latter....more
I greatly enjoyed the first Aira novel I read, An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, giving it four stars out of five. https://blog.myquest-eI greatly enjoyed the first Aira novel I read, An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter, giving it four stars out of five. https://blog.myquest-escottjones.com/...
What I admired most about this novel was the way McCullers evoked a setting. You are drawn into the small world she creates for her characters in thisWhat I admired most about this novel was the way McCullers evoked a setting. You are drawn into the small world she creates for her characters in this story of adolescent angst at small town living. The characters, the scene, the atmosphere, the inner moods, all are richly developed. And while not much happens plot-wise, what does unfolds carefully and with more attention to emotion than detailed events.
I was left puzzling over how this compares and contrast to To Till a Mockingbird as story of a white girl growing up in a small town in the segregated South. This is probably the more realistic sort of story.
Another interesting sub-theme is the exploration of gender non-conformity, which I wasn't expecting in the novel. ...more
It seems that many people really like this novel a lot. I'm puzzled as to why. None of the characters is compelling (mostly reprehensible) and there iIt seems that many people really like this novel a lot. I'm puzzled as to why. None of the characters is compelling (mostly reprehensible) and there isn't much of a story for most of the book. ...more
A beautiful book, beautifully written, in which one of Dorothy Day's grand-daughters tries to save her from hagiography by giving an intimate accountA beautiful book, beautifully written, in which one of Dorothy Day's grand-daughters tries to save her from hagiography by giving an intimate account of the woman, particularly focused on her relationship with her daughter Tamar and her many grandchildren. The later chapters focus a great deal on mother-daughter relationships. You will not go away from this book with a deeper understanding of Day's thought, but with a richer understanding of how complex her life was, how she approached life as a writer, and how difficult the Catholic Worker was....more
A good introductory text to biblical and theological issues of trans inclusion. I particularly liked the way he structured the book with each chapterA good introductory text to biblical and theological issues of trans inclusion. I particularly liked the way he structured the book with each chapter exploring a topic through the lens of the personal story of a trans person of faith. Hartke is a good writer; we can look forward to his future projects.
I also liked the point made in his 11th chapter, "Life beyond Apologetics." One of the annoyances I encountered first in writing and then later in publishing my recent memoir was the pressure for the book be yet another text explaining how it is okay to be gay and be a Christian. I keep insisting that many versions of that book are available, and I wasn't writing that book. I like Hartke's way of describing this as "life beyond apologetics." I'm not trying to defend myself or explain that it's okay to be me, I'm simply telling my own story....more
I devoured this book, fully caught up in the characters and story and the storytelling, despite having seen the film. This is one of those books thatI devoured this book, fully caught up in the characters and story and the storytelling, despite having seen the film. This is one of those books that leaves me mesmerized at the author's ability to imagine characters and then fully portray them in sentences. Du Maurier also richly describes her settings. And the storytelling is mesmerizing, as you don't fully like or trust your narrator. ...more
A good and helpful study of the Book of Revelation. I've made great use of it in teaching the book this semester at church. One of the best features oA good and helpful study of the Book of Revelation. I've made great use of it in teaching the book this semester at church. One of the best features of it is that it also helps liberal mainline folk understand evangelical readings of the text by showing what authentic needs such readings are attempting to meet....more
As we were preparing this year's Lenten worship theme Kondo's show was all the rage, so we decided to draw on some aspects of it--tidying up, sparkingAs we were preparing this year's Lenten worship theme Kondo's show was all the rage, so we decided to draw on some aspects of it--tidying up, sparking joy, etc. I've read the book in preparation for Lenten worship and have found some handy tidbits to quote. And a few ideas to put into practice in my own life. But I can't see how this ultimately could work in a busy life, in a marriage with two people with very different attitudes toward stuff, and with a preschooler and dog. Plus, even if I found a place where everything belonged the husband, kid, dog, houseguest, or cleaning lady would move it....more
Some essays deserve five stars, for their engaging and witty explorations of pragmatism.
A few essays deserve one star. In particular I disliked "On HSome essays deserve five stars, for their engaging and witty explorations of pragmatism.
A few essays deserve one star. In particular I disliked "On Heidegger's Nazism." I have a negative view of Heidegger to begin with, but was open to being persuaded by Rorty. Not only did his argument not persuade me to change my mind about H, it confirmed my pre-existing opinion and made me think less of Rorty.
Reading Rorty I feel disabused of errors, but also left with very little. His social hope is that we will engage in incremental problem-solving and institution-building. On the one hand, this is what I spend much of my time doing as a minister, teacher, activist, and author. Rorty believes it is the only tool we have approaching a more egalitarian society. And it is fragile. But in these days of trouble (which he presciently predicted in the essay "Looking Backwards from the Year 2096") I wonder if this is enough. If Rorty is correct that social hope as he describes it is our only tool, then we are probably in for a lot of trouble....more
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