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Book Review: Walking on Water by Madeline L'Engle

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I can't remember how I came across this book-someone must have recommended it to me and I wish I could thank whoever it was that did. I so enjoyed reading Walking on Water that I ended it up buying it before I got to the last chapter. This is a book I will recommend to anyone who has a creative bent to them (read: everyone) and is sifting through questions like, "What is good art?" and "How is Christian art different?" among other seemingly lofty thoughts. Maybe you're not wondering those things, but you have a drive to be creative and can't find the time or you don't know why you get frustrated when there's no margin for working with your hands? I still recommend this book to you.
I would sit and read 10 pages, and then think about it for an hour.
***
Madeline L'Engle has such an interesting way of writing. I was constantly stopping Stefan and begging him to listen to just one more paragraph I'd come across. I felt like all the flotsam floating around in my head, L'Engle had done the process for me, and I could keep what I wanted. I didn't need a brain release, I just need to re-read this once a year to keep my mind on track with my personal goals.
There really is no plot, it's a work of non-fiction. This book is exactly what the subtitle says, "Reflections on faith and art". Essays-as-chapters on theology and creativity combined.
For what it's worth, I'd say this is a 'spiritual feed' book, not a self-help, not a 'how to' artist book, but an encouraging journey of practice, patience, and faith. Five out of 5 stars for excellent topic and accessibility. If you find your creative self going through a dark, uninspired spot, this book is sure to give you plenty to think about.

Comments

Tana said…
Interesting. I actually wrote a paper in college for an upper level history class on how the various styles of art from medieval through the Enlightenment reflected the theological thinking of the various time periods. It ended up being way too broad of a topic, but the history professor told me that my topic was so interesting and my paper was so free of grammatical errors and typos that he gave me an A.
February 1, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Brandi said…
i love your book reviews! every time i come across a new review you've done in my reader set, i get so excited! i'm stopping on the way home to buy this one!
February 1, 2011 at 3:02 PM
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