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Liked It “Dillard observes a tragedy, dispassionately but thoughtfully.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I'm not sure what to make of this. At first, I wasn't greatly impressed, but because it is so poetic, I decided to read it through a second time to enjoy it more--which I did. By the end of the second read I was finding myself moved by some of the words and wondering whether I should buy a copy for the several memorable passages (I don't memorize such things). Different mood, or finding the wavelength? Not sure, but I have a feeling I will have a memory of this book for some time...”
Rosy wrote this review Thursday, October 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Dillard observes a tragedy, dispassionately but thoughtfully. ”
Carol M wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Amazing, gripping, mesmerizing. I read it in one sitting while in college while my peas turned cold in the cafeteria. One long prose poem encompassing a profound, deeply true meditation on theodicy. ”
holly z wrote this review Friday, June 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of my favorite books. ”
mark clark wrote this review Tuesday, April 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“SUMMARY: Dillard's reflections from the two years she spent on an island in Puget Sound cover a variety of experiences, from a moth burned to death by the flame of a candle to a little girl burned in an airplane crash to a baptism witnessed on the beach to her experience of God and church. COMMENTS: Dillard's writing is exquisite, even when I am not particularly enamored by her subject matter. My favorite quote from this collection is "nothing could more surely convince me of God's unending mercy than the continued existence on earth of the church."”
Bobbie N wrote this review Saturday, August 16 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Some reviewers praise it for sounding like poetry, but I criticize it for that. No one wants to get tricked into reading poetry.”
Michelle F wrote this review Thursday, August 14 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I don't know what one can add to this book. The writing feels like poetry. Maybe one should call it “exalted prose” (what some of the Biblical scholars call Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 13.) It begs to be read aloud.
Keith wrote this review Friday, July 25 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It's a powerful meditation on theodicy, sacrifice, and the createdness of things. Classic lines like: “I often think of the set pieces of liturgy as certain words which people have successfully addressed to God without their getting killed.” Worth reading repeatedly.”
“I bow to Annie Dillard. She is simply amazing.”
Autumnseer wrote this review Friday, April 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
