Anne Rice's "Christ The Lord" Series

I have often wondered what life might have been like for Jesus when he was child, or what events he was waiting for before beginning his ministry. Anne Rice gives us one scenario in her "Christ The Lord" series.

Rice, who is most famous for her "Vampire Chronicles" books (including "Interview With The Vampire," which was made in to a movie in the early 1990s), grew up in the Catholic church but eventually strayed from it and became an atheist. She returned to her faith in 1998 and consecrated her work entirely to Christ in 2002. The results so far include "Christ The Lord: Out of Egypt" and "Christ The Lord: The Road to Cana." (She has also published "Angel Time," which I hope to read later.) She uses a mix of both real and fictional characters in her books to connect the different events mentioned in the Bible.

"Christ The Lord: Out of Egypt" is a very enjoyable read and is written from the point of view of a 7-year-old Jesus. We follow him, his mother Mary and foster father Joseph as they (along with a large extended family) make their way back to Nazareth. Jesus doesn't know that he is the begotten son of God, but he notices things happen when he prays. He begins to ask questions, but his family doesn't think he's ready to know the full story of his birth. By the end of the book, Jesus knows all about how his mother was visited by an angel, how shepherds and wise men visited him after his birth and how King Herod in a rage ordered all children under two killed after receiving word that a king had been born.

I was uncomfortable with the thought of Jesus not knowing his divine nature as a child, but this didn't prevent me from enjoying the book immensely. I especially enjoyed the amount of research Rice did about the time period to describe in her book what life might have been like for Jews 2,000 years ago.

I would love to provide more details about how she presents these events and how she describes a child Jesus when he learns of the whole story, but words can't do it justice. All I can say is that I was moved.

"Christ The Lord: The Road to Cana" didn't move me as much as the first book, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. Jesus is now 30 and doing a lot of carpentry work with his extended family. (Note to fellow Catholics: Rice stays true to Catholic belief in Mary's perpetual virginity and describes James as the son of Joseph by a wife who died before Joseph's betrothal to Mary.)

A big portion of the book is a fictional account of the events that lead to the wedding at Cana (I don't want to give away what happens). Rice does an excellent job again of drawing from historical research about that time to create one possible scenario. My favorite part, however, is when Jesus and his extended family make their way to the Jordan River to meet John the Baptist after many years apart (Jesus and John first meet face-to-face in Rice's first book). The scene gave me goosebumps as she describes Jesus getting ready for his ministry to begin.

His temptation by the devil in the desert is also a great scene, and one I plan to read again (along with the Bible) during Lent.

The book ends with the wedding at Cana (the final scene) when Jesus changes water in to wine at the request of his mother, and those who love him realize things will never be the same from that moment.

I think I read somewhere that Rice may not continue on with the series because the Gospels, themselves, are written so well. But if she does continue on, you bet I'll read the books.

No Greater Love

Mother Teresa had always been someone who had fascinated me. I had always admired how much she willingly gave herself for the love of the poorest of the poor. But it wasn't until I joined a women's Bible study and prayer group in my community that I actually sat down to read some of her teachings. I was blown away.

This particular book, published seven months before her September 1997 death, is filled with wisdom that anyone -- no matter what their faith -- can and should take to heart. I'll just highlight some of the passages that spoke to me:

"Do we know our poor people? Do we know the poor in our house, in our family? Perhaps they are not hungry for a piece of bread. Perhaps our children, husband, wife, are not hungry, or naked, or dispossessed, but are you sure there is no one there who feels unwanted, deprived of affection? Where is your elderly father or mother? Abandonment is an awful poverty." -- p. 101

"Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater development and greater riches. Children have very little time for their parents and parents have very little time for their children and for each other. So the breakdown of peace in the world begins at home." -- p. 129

"Bring prayer to your family, bring it to your little children. Teach them to pray. For a child that prays is a happy child. A family that prays is a united family." -- p. 129-130

"Remember that the passion of Christ ends always in the joy of the resurrection of Christ, so when you feel in your own heart the suffering of Christ, remember the resurrection has to come. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen." p. 137

"At the moment of death, we will not be judged by the amount of work we have done but by the weight of love we have put into our work. This love should flow from self-sacrifice, and it must be felt to the point of hurting." -- p. 140

There is so much more I'd like to highlight, but if I did that I'd be posting the entire contents of this book on this blog, which I'm sure is a no-no.

The bottom line is this book was an incredibly satisfying read for me, especially because I read it during Lent. I'll definitely be looking for other books of hers.

Reading Challenge: The Mitford Series

I'm having the most splendid time reading the books in Jan Karon's Mitford Series. I've now finished the first four of nine books in the series: "At Home In Mitford," "A Light In The Window," "These High, Green Hills," and "Out to Canaan," thus accomplishing my Spring Reading Challenge goal (WOO-HOO!); but I'm not stopping here. Karon manages to make each new book even better than the previous one.

In my review of "At Home In Mitford," I mentioned that I thought her characters needed to be developed further. I also hoped then that author Jan Karon would take time to flesh out her characters in subsequent books. You know what? She did.

Karon was able to make some initially unlikeable characters into characters I really care about. She's able to weave tension in to every book and leave her readers with a satisfying resolution. But what I'm especially enjoying about her books is the way she so vividly describes the scenery.

Here is an excerpt from "These High, Green Hills," to give you an example:

"Little by little, the sharp intakes of breath and the murmurs and whooping subsided, and they stood there, lined up along the wall, gazing at the wonder of a sunset that blazed across the heavens. Where the sun was sinking, the skies ran with molten crimson that spread above the mountains like watercolor, changing to orange and pink, lavender and gold. A cool fire of platinum rimmed the profile of Gabriel Mountain and the dark, swelling ridges on either side."

I have to admit that I wasn't immediately addicted to the series. At the start of the second book I actually wondered whether I had the stamina to continue reading the series, simply because it started off way too slow for me. In fact, I actually found myself putting the book down several times to read some nonfiction works. But then I decided to give the book another chance, found some quiet time and just read. I've been finding it hard to put her books down ever since.

I'm now off to read the rest of the books in the series, and will post a final review at the end of my journey to Mitford. Check out my progress on my sidebar.

At Home in Mitford

Jan Karon's "At Home In Mitford" was exactly what I thought it would be -- a charming book about an idyllic community and the lives of those who live there.

The book centers around bachelor rector Father Tim, who after years of living in the small town wonders whether it's time for him to move on. Enter a hostile and unloved boy who he's asked to care for, an attractive neighbor who moves in next door, a dog that only responds to Scripture verses and the discovery of stolen jewelry hidden in his church and his life gets more colorful.

Some reviews I've read complain that the book is too light and the characters aren't realistic. I agree that the novel is easy to read, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed the way the chapters were written almost like separate short stories that I could breeze through. Her descriptions were also so vivid that at times I could almost see the scene play out in front of me.

I disagree with reviewers who say the characters were too unrealistic. I live in a small community and I've come across some pretty eccentric people here. The characters could have been developed a little more, but I'm assuming Karon's subsequent books in the series will develop them further.

Overall, I thought this book was a delight to read. And yes, I do plan to read the rest of the series.

The Thirteenth Tale

If it hadn't been for a blogging friend I never would have read this book, and boy would that have been a shame.

You see, I'm one of those "classics" snobs (or at least, I used to be). For the longest time I believed that in order for a novel to be good it has to be written either by A*gatha Chri*stie or an author who lived before the twentieth century. Enter Momma Roar.

After I posted a glowing review of Ch*arlotte Bro*nte's "J*ane Ey*re," Leigh Ann (a.k.a. Momma Roar) e-mailed me and told me about Di*ane S*etterfield's book called "The Thir*teenth T*ale." She said that the book "J*ane Ey*re" is mentioned in S*etterfield's novel. I expressed an interest in reading it, and the next thing I knew Leigh Ann had mailed me her copy.

I thought the story would have possibilities as soon as I learned that the main character, Ma*rgaret L*ea, is a biographer who works in a rare-book shop owned by her family. L*ea is summoned by reclusive author V*ida W*inter to her estate to write her biography. W*inter, who is now ailing and who for years had made up various life histories for herself, tells L*ea that she finally wants to tell the truth. In the process of discovering the truth about W*inter's life, L*ea also discovers the truth about hers.

What about "J*ane Ey*re" and its mention in the book? Well, not only is it mentioned in the book many times, but S*etterfield also really captured the mood and style of the classic novel. "The Thir*teenth T*ale" is complete with ghosts, both real and imagined; dark secrets; tragedies; love; and a bittersweet ending. If you loved "J*ane Ey*re," you'll love this book.

So is this book a copycat of Br*onte's classic? I don't think so. While the similarities are there, S*etterfield's book stands on its own. I have to admit that the book moved too slowly for me in the beginning, despite the beautiful way in which S*etterfield described the scenery and movements of her characters. But once the book took off, it really took off.

I can't wait to read another book by this author.

"A Family Christmas"

Despite having a lengthy list of books that I'm already reading, and have yet to read, I couldn't help purchasing "A Family Christmas" by Caroline Kennedy. Both my son and I enjoy her book, "A Family of Poems," so I thought there was no way I could go wrong with this one. I was right.

I was drawn in to the book by her introduction:

"Christmas is a holiday of hope. As children, we wait all year for the chance to wish for whatever we want most. Frequently, these wishes take the form of toys, but often we ask for more profound gifts, such as a reunited family or a world at peace. Children possess a spiritual curiosity that is sometimes underestimated or overlooked in the hustle and bustle. Yet children ponder the mysteries of life and of faith that Christmas makes real. Later on, as parents, we reconnect with our own childhood sense of hope, reaffirm our faith, and recognize the power of love and family."

She continues by touching on some of the traditions her family had while growing up, and then writes a brief history of various popular Christmas traditions.

The contents of the book is also something I was looking for. I already had several picture book versions of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," as well as various books containing Christmas poetry and lyrics to popular songs. This book gathers all those favorites of mine (as well as stories and poems I've never heard of before) in to one anthology. It also includes scripture passages relevant to the Christmas story.

In addition to having everything in one book, the prose, poetry, lyrics and scripture passages she has selected are short enough so each can be read and enjoyed in one sitting. I've already read "Mr. Edwards Meets Santa Claus" (an excerpt from Little House on the Prairie) as a bedtime story to my son. And yes, we plan to read "A Visit from St. Nicholas" to him on Christmas Eve. Kennedy also includes more serious prose for older children and adults, such as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "A Christmas Sermon of Peace," that I look forward to reading and reflecting upon this season.

I'll conclude with another excerpt from Kennedy's introduction:

"...the powerful emotions of the holidays are not always easy to manage. Yet the liturgy and literature teaches us that Christmas encompasses the miraculous and the tragic, the profound and the ridiculous, and always represents the connection to something larger than ourselves. If we are open to the gifts of understanding, hope, and faith in others and in God, the spirit of Christmas can help make real the way we want to live our lives."

Honey For A Child's Heart

As a lover of books -- especially quality picture books and children's literature -- I'm always seeking out recommended reading lists. So when a friend told me about Gladys Hunt's "Honey For A Child's Heart," I just had to purchase a copy for myself.

I admit that these days it's easy to log on to a computer and to G**ggle search to find a recommended reading list online. But "Honey For A Child's Heart" is more than just a list. The author gives suggestions on how to use books to enrich your family life. And with Proverbs 16:24 as her inspiration -- "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" -- how could I not buy a copy for myself.

Her book is divided in to two parts. The first part,"Using Books to Help Children Grow," covers topics such as what makes a good book, and making decisions about books. In the second part ("Best-Loved Books for Children") Hunt dedicates a chapter each to recommend books for children 0-3, 4-8, 9-12 and 12-14. She also includes sections on books for beginning readers, stories for animal lovers, historical novels, fantasy novels, young adult novels, poetry, nourishing a child's spiritual life and a book list for special occasions.

She encourages parents to go to the original source of current favorite books. For example, says Hunt, read the original Winnie-the-Pooh stories written by A.A. Milne rather than books based on the W*lt D*sney character. Similarly, she urges reading the original Mary Poppins series by P.L. Travers.

The best part about having this book? For me it's the fact that I'm discovering a whole new world of children's literature.

What Took Me So Long?

Have you ever come across a book that you enjoyed so much that you can't believe it took you years to actually get around to reading it? For me the book is Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.

I was first introduced to the novel's existence during my senior year in high school, thanks to a bookish classmate. For a period of about two weeks, I would often see Carolyn* with her nose in a well-worn paperback book. She would read that book on her way to class, devour it along with her cafeteria-issued lunch and simply immerse herself in whatever world the author had created. When I finally got a look at what she was reading, I was immediately turned off.

"'Jane Eyre'," I thought to myself. "Why is she wasting her time reading a romance novel."

Being the kind of gal who would much rather read a good Agatha Christie mystery -- Oh, OK. I'll admit it. I also used to read teen staples like Seventeen magazine -- I was repulsed by the idea of actually reading a romance novel. I didn't care if it was on the recommended reading list my English teacher once distributed in class.

Fast forward to a month ago.

On a trip to a used-book store, in search of various children's books, I came across a copy of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. I smiled as I remembered how much I enjoyed that book as a young girl, and how much time I used to spend at the library. That got me thinking about my English teacher, his recommended reading list (Charlotte's Web was on it) and, of course, Jane Eyre.

I walked over to the literature section and found one remaining copy of the classic. I picked it up and gazed at the cover art depicting a young woman in mid-1800s garb, looking over her shoulder as if she was searching for someone -- or maybe even trying to make sure she wasn't being followed. I wish I could say it was only that recommended reading list that prompted me to actually buy the book. No. It was also that illustration (and the fact that the book was only $2) that motivated me to take it to the checkout counter.

I was drawn to Jane Eyre, the character, from the very first chapter. The book that I had always assumed was purely a romance novel turned out to be something even more. Yes romance is a part of it, but so is mystery, suspense and the theme of perseverance amid hardship. I actually found myself unwilling to put the book down when I was called away because I cared about Jane.

By the time I finished the book I was hungering for more works by Charlotte Bronte. I thought about what a fool I had been for avoiding this "romance novel" for so long. You would think I would have learned from my original misguided perception of Jane Austen's work. I once avoided Austen's books because I thought they too were purely romance novels.

I'm glad I finally read Bronte's classic, even though I read it more than 20 years after I first learned of its existence. Reading it was one of the best book decisions I've made. Hmm ... I wonder if I still have a copy of my English teacher's list of recommended reading.

*Her name has been changed to protect her identity.