Saturday, July 3, 2010

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice

Though I have been wary of stories of Jesus' childhood, due to the excesses of non-canonical early sources, I wanted to read this, not the least because of the wonderful spiritual journey of the author. I was not disappointed.

Reading with care and reminding myself often that this was fiction, not holy writ, I benefited a great deal. Surely this child was a special child and surely God delighted in him in a way we can only imagine. We see his parents protecting him with God's help, teaching him with God's help, and we see the community and synagogue and villagers having a hand in his growing up.

How soon he began to amaze those around him we can only speculate, but surely there were flashes of light, signs to his parents and to others, and even, as the book purports, signs to the young boy. Surely Anne Rice is correct that the boy himself gradually answered the question we all are faced with: Who is this Jesus?

As Others See Chicago: Impressions of Visitors 1673-1933 edited by Bessie Louise Pierce

An amazing collection; from the days when there was hardly a building, to the bustling 30's when Chicago was a leading city in the world. I enjoyed the earliest stories, the stories around the fire, which I think one could argue still has its effects on Chicago.

One can see the lakefront and Loop change over the years. And it has changed to the present day. Ampère, Kipling, and G. K. Chesterton add their thoughts to many other visitors from around the world.

The Physician in Literature edited by Norman Cousins

Snippets of medical literature and literature about medicine. Interesting in places. William Carlos Williams stands out.

Once a Runner by John L. Parker, Jr.

Disjointed and somewhat aimless; some great passages about elite running, but all in all not as good as many have said.

The Weaving of Threads by B. Lewis Barnett Jr. M.D.

A collection of brief stories from the practice of this esteemed and beloved family practitioner and professor. Not only is he the doctor you wish you had, but in these pages you find a friend. My signed copy was given to me by my long-term partner who was mentored by 'Dr. B,' so I am a direct beneficiary of his wisdom and kind example, modeled by my partner. Barnett is a man of deep faith, strong but nurturing, always hopeful and seeing the potential in his residents.

I must confess I read this book, one story a week, usually finishing the stories with tears in my eyes.

Dog on It by Spencer Quinn (read aloud)

A new and unique detective duo. A delight from beginning to end. Deftly written. Though not a dog lover myself, I loved this book. I don't know how the author knows how dogs think, hear, see and smell, but I just know he got it exactly right. Can't wait for Chet's (the dog's) next book.

Nearer, My God by William F. Buckley, Jr.

In this book we see the results of a lifetime of thought about God and faith and the church. And I think we see the humility of true Christian faith. Though completely and deeply Catholic, his faith seems rooted in the atoning work of Christ, with a deep sense of mystery.

Going Rogue by Sarah Palin

An interesting life story and a collision between grassroots and establishment politics. If she is telling the truth, McCain's campaign managers ill-served him and the press was extremely unfair. In any case, the stridor and lack of restraint of her critics leads one to wonder why they are so afraid of her. Is she the reincarnation of Samuel Adams?