I have always enjoyed Anne Lamott quotes I've seen on social media or in articles on spirituality/faith. I discovered Anne a few years ago and read her amazing book titled Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy. I have also read snippets from some of her other writings. This book, pictured above, is one I bought on sale online a few weeks ago. It's a treasure!
SUMMARY
This book is like a chronicle of Anne's life from her childhood through to mommyhood. It ties her faith and spiritual walk with some of her tough times. She gets very personal in this book. She's funny, wise, and compassionate. This book is like a journey through her troubled past (addictions, alcoholism, unwed pregnancy, abortion, single parenthood. But it is also her faith journey....how she came to know God and hear His Voice.
MY THOUGHTS
To some Christians, Anne might seem irreverent and "out there". Yet...she is REAL. She tells it like it is in regards to her life and her journey of faith. She's so witty and affectionate that I would just love to meet her to give her a hug. She knows how to shine her light on the dreariest parts of her life and she gives us meaning and hope for our own lives.
I love that her book has short chapters and interesting titles. She is so openly honest and sometimes the sharing of her life was just gut-wrenching.
The book contains some of her poetry which is beautiful.
This book is divided into 7 sections:
- Mountain, Valley, Sky (with 3 chapters: Knocking on Heaven's Door, Ladders, Mountain Birthday)
- Church, People, Steeple (Ashes, Why I Make Sam Go To Church, Traveling Mercies). This was my absolute fave section
- Tribe (Fields, Forgiveness, Grace)
- Kids, Some Sick (Barn Raising, Tummler's Dog, Hearthcake)
- Body and Soul (Gypsies, The Mole, Thirst, Hunger, The Aunties) 2nd fave section
- Fambly (Mom, Dad, Sister, Baby)
- Shore and Ground (A Man Who Was Mean to His Dog, Into Thin Mud, Altar)
The chapter titled The Aunties will have you howling with laughter! She's so bluntly honest and vulnerable!
Some quotes that jumped out at me:
".....it spoke of such integrity to refuse to pretend that you're doing well just to help other people deal with the fact that sometimes we face an impossible loss." (pg 97, Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott, c.1999)
"And since this side of the grave you could never know for sure if there was a God, you had to make a leap of faith, if you could, leaping across the abyss of doubt with fear and trembling." (pg 27)
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to some mature content).
On a scale of 1=10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.
2 comments:
As you know, I love all of Anne Lamott's books. Traveling Mercies is one of the first books of her that I read. Like you, I love her honesty. I think Jesus loves people who are "real" about their faith, and that is the way Lamott seems to me. So glad you liked this book. I really enjoyed it too.
I have never read this author though have seen her come up in quite a few places. I'll have to keep a lookout at the library.
Post a Comment