"You can't go limp in the face of the world's horror."One of the things I really enjoy about Anne Lamott is that sprinkled among her engaging stories about her life are great pronouncements fit for framing. If I had had a paper copy of Grace (Eventually), I could have yellow highlighted something on nearly every page. As it was, I listened to her read her book on my iPod. She is the exception to the rule that authors should not read their own books. She is very expressive and conversational. I could listen again.
Librarians will like the story that she tells of going to a rally in Salinas to support keeping the public library open. She was just going for the day and planned to sleep comfortably in a bed that night. When she found that all the old hippies and famous authors and actors were camping out, she felt it was the right thing to do. She has many wonderful things to say about libraries in this story. Have a highlighter handy when you read.
Not all the stories are so happy. Lamott tells about the friends she has lost, fights with her son, and the days before she quit drugs and alcohol. She describes fearful times when she lost the dog in the woods, when she was taken for a long ride by a suspicious cab driver, and when she was very sick after an eating binge. She has trouble asking for help, but when she does, she comes through her trials. If only she would learn before the next incident.
Lamott is not neutral on any subject and will annoy some readers. However, if you like humorous, sometimes outrageous tales from left-wing sunday school teachers, you will like Grace (Eventually).
Lamott, Anne. Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith. New York : Riverhead Books, 2007. ISBN 1594489424
2 comments:
I'm a big Lamott fan. I'm reading Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. I'll have to read this new book. She's so honest and funny.
I had the opportunity to hear her read from her book Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith when she came to Spokane. Hearing her read does add to the enjoyment of the book because you get the intention and emotions behind the words that tones of voice add. And, her voice can be taken with the reader into further reading of the book. Her sense of humor definitely comes through in her voice.
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