christianity – Pleasant Nights

*originally posted 2010 on another site

I was a little skeptical of this book and for good reason. It’s certainly heartwarming, but that’s just not something I enjoy reading most of the time. The book starts out strong but becomes more and more depressing as it continues. It was to the point that I was reading it just to be finished with it.

The story is told from two narrators: Ron- a wealthy white man in Ft. Worth and Denver- a homeless black man in the same town. They tell their own stories for a bit, and these were my favorite part. I enjoyed learning where they both started their lives. They are very short vignettes, so I could easily use some in the classroom. Ron meets his wife, Debbie, and after several years of marriage, she decides that God has told her to do some good in life. Now, I’m not the religious type, so this book quickly lost its appeal simply because the level of Christianity mentioned. I’d rather hear of people who helped the homeless because they wanted to, rather than because God led them down that path. In any case, the friendship that was formed was meaningful and true. Ron and Denver became reluctant friends, but each found something special within the other.

Halfway through the book, Debbie is diagnosed with cancer. There’s where the fun ends. It went downhill for me at that point. I just don’t enjoy reading about people’s sadness.

I imagine this book is inspirational to a lot of people, which is perfectly understandable. It just isn’t my thing…

The Poisonwood Bible

*originally posted 2010 on another site.

I was a little leery about reading this book. Too many people loved it, and it was an Oprah Book Club selection. I’ve read several of her picks, and ugh, are they awful. She’s gotten better (I actually have two other of her picks on my summer reading list), but most everything she has recommended was something I truly disliked. This book, however, didn’t suck at all! Shocking, I know.

The Price family, consisting of a father, mother, and 4 daughters are missionaries in the Congo during the 1950s. Devout doesn’t even begin to describe the father. The girls are frequently punished by having to write Bible verses over and over. This story is told from the perspective of the girls while they are in Africa, and from the mother after they have left. Rachel is the oldest, snobbiest, and hates Africa. Leah constantly seeks her father’s attention, but never truly receives it, so she is forced to find her own path. Adeh, is Leah’s twin, was born with brain damage, limps, and is brilliant. Ruth May is the youngest and the most inquisitive about her new surroundings.

As much as they want to go to Africa, do their Christian duty, and head back home, Africa simply won’t let them. They experience love and loss, and no matter how hard they try, they cannot leave Africa behind. It stays with them for the rest of their lives.

I usually don’t enjoy books with multiple narrators, but this is an exception. While reading, I kept thinking how great it would be to use as an example of voice in the classroom. As much as I was dreading this book, I quickly breezed through it and did enjoy it quite a bit.