If I had to sum up Yann Martel’s new novel in one word, it would be “grim,” which is not to deter readers but to prepare them. In scope, if not in length, Beatrice and Virgil rivals Martel’s previous novel, Life of Pi, with its necessary and answerless questions and its cast of bizarre characters.
Henry [...]
Busy, busy again. I meant to get a post up before my husband and I headed off to Chicago last weekend, but obviously that didn’t happen. We were there to attend the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion, where he presented a paper called “A Connecticut Valley Yankee in a Cappadocian Court: Jonathan Edwards, Eastern Christianity, and the ‘Spiritual Sense‘” (can you tell he’s a Twain fan?). Among the interesting sessions I heard were a poetry reading by the phenomenal Nikky Finney; presentations by four women writers on “Art as Spiritual Practice”; and a panel discussion of Amy Sullivan’sThe Party Faithful: How and Why Democrats are Closing the God Gap. In the Exhibition Hall, I couldn’t pass up the great discounts on Amos Yong’s Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining Disability in Late Modernity (which has been on my reading list for over a year) and the new prayer book Praying the Word: Illuminated Prayers and Wisdom from The Saint John’s Bible (I have begun collecting the seven gorgeous volumes of this hand-copied Bible). I also got the chance to spend an hour browsing at an all-time favorite used bookstore, Powell’s, where I found a crisp unmarked copy of Eric Jager’s The Last Duel, which I had added to my TBR list after hearing him speak at the Festival of Faith & Writing in April.
In other book news, I am currently reading The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard (which is forcing this non-philosopher to dip into The Oxford Companion to Philosophy from time to time) and Susan Howatch’s Glittering Images, the first of six novels and so good that I must now read them all (thankfully, a fellow Bookmoocher is making them readily available)! Last week I read Phyllis Tickle’s The Great Emergence and had a fun exchange with her about it on Facebook.
Are you familiar with any of these titles? What are you reading now? Talk to me, and in the meantime I’ll be trying to get up another review soon.
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November 8th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I just finished the first book in the Discworld series The Color of Magic It’s a light and fun book. But, a couple at church today were raving about The Elegance of Hedgehogs. They even said they’ve bought several books to give away they liked it so much. That made me stand up and take notice. I’ve put it on my TBR list.
I haven’t gone to your hubby’s link, but has he ever listened to Matthew Gallatin’s Podcasts comparing the Eastern view of God to the Augustinian /Western view?
This is one of the first ones (its only 15 mins long)
http://audio.ancientfaith.com/gallatin/pfp_2008-06-23_pc.mp3
I’m finding it quite interesting but would love to know what someone like your hubby thinks.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Sounds like a lovely bookish weekend. I need more good literature in my life! All my reading is counseling-oriented and dry right now. Did Laurel put you onto Susan Howatch? You know she is a big fan. You chatted with Phyllis Tickle? Wowsie…! I should read The Great Emergence. We need to talk about this in December.
So have you ever heard of The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon?? My mom is enthralled by these books and wants me to read them.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Anon, I will ask my husband about the podcasts. Thanks for the recommendation!
Rachel, I didn’t know Laurel was a Howatch fan — but it doesn’t surprise me. Yes, we have lots of talking to get in during your visit! I don’t know anything about the Gabaldon series except that another blogger just announced that the first one is going to be a movie. I’ll have to check them out.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Mindy,
I am envious of you and excited for you as you begin the Howatch series. The epigraphs alone are worth the reading, and her characters are compelling. The manner in which she juxtaposes pyschology and spirituality is intriguing and thought-provoking. I am ready to reread the St. Benet’s Trilogy which continues with some of the characters from the later Starbridge series. Happy reading! I look forward to seeing your responses to the novels as you have time to share.
Terry