| Title | : | The Best American Spiritual Writing 2007 |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0618833463 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780618833467 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 336 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2004 |
Here you will find George Packer’s “The Moderate Martyr,” a profile of the peaceful Islamic visionary Mahmoud Muhammad Taha, alongside Sridhar Pappu’s report on “the Preacher,” Bishop T. D. Jakes, the entrepreneurially inclined leader of one of the largest churches in the country. Garry Wills questions whether it is possible (or even desirable) to live according to the maxim “What would Jesus do?” In response to the recent spate of atheist attacks on organized religion, Marilynne Robinson offers an insightful critique of “Hysterical Scientism.” Adam Gopnik explores the link between Shaker beliefs and the austere beauty of Shaker creations, and Joseph Epstein muses on the reasons for broken friendships. Some of the essays are deeply personal: Mary Gordon examines her complex relationship with her mother, and Pico Iyer reveals the place where he goes to be himself.
Including powerful poetry from notable contributors such as Deborah Digges, Galway Kinnell, and John Updike, and an introduction by Harvey Cox, The Best American Spiritual Writing 2007 is one of those transformative “magical books” that Zaleski describes in his foreword, a volume that gracefully probes the role of faith in modern life while offering both spiritual insight and literary excellence.
The Best American Spiritual Writing 2007 Reviews
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I like how anthologies always introduce me to new writers and publications. I particularly liked Kate Farrell's essay "Faithful to Mystery," on the power of creative imagination to connect the material world and the eternal one; and Michael D. Jackson's haunting "In the Footsteps of Walter Benjamin." There are also gems by Mary Gordon and Marilynne Robinson (is Robinson published in every year of this series, I wonder?), and a beautiful poem by Mark Strand, as always.
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Once again, I savored this book over the course of a year. This is not the way to catch up given that I am six years behind, but I can't sit down and read the whole book straight through. The essays and poems that Philip Zaleski and his co-editors collect are worth taking the time to read and reread.
Over the years I have been introduced to new poets and essayists. This year I enjoyed the writings of Robert Cording, Ann McCutchan and Sridhar Pappu. I also got to read some authors I had read before. I liked some of the essays more than others, but they were all interesting. Short essays are wonderful for introducing the reader to new subjects and there were plenty of new-to-me topics in this collection.
Last year I wrote, "If you are looking for an eclectic collection of essays, that somehow fit the definition of spiritual writing, this is the series for you. If you are interested in good, thought-provoking writing, this is also for you." Those recommendations are still true for the 2007 edition of this wonderful series. -
Some really great, insightful writing. Support Pat Madden, writing professor at BYU.
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Don't even know where this went... not on my bedside stand anymore
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I'm always looking for profundity in spiritual writing. There were some snippets of originality here, and all the writing was good. Overall, it was commendable, but not satisfying.
