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Title: Godric : A Novel by Frederick Buechner ISBN: 0-06-061162-6 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 02 November, 1983 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.86 (14 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: beautiful. touching
Comment: A beautiful, touching story. Seemingly the tale of a crusty, hardened man, but that crust is merely the thin veil of a truly broken and human heart. One forgets that the story is primarily fiction. Though based on the life of an obscure cleric, it is the story of everyman -- I think most readers will find themselves in the person of Godric.
Buechner is not one of those authors who, when one reads his books says "Oh, this is Buechner." Each of his books is wholly unique and original. I would recommend anything he has written. (NOTE: I see that the long out-of-print Book of Bebb is being re-released in October. Highly recommended! Unlike anything else you've read!)
Rating: 4
Summary: graceful and poetic.
Comment: Many other amazon reviewers have described the book as "poetic" and I must agree. Buechner has shaped this story with an economy of words, and it often reads like a superb narrative poem. I read it in one sitting and was captivated by its grace.
A recurring theme in the book is the disparity between what is commonly perceived as "sainthood" or "saintliness" and what the saint, in fact, knows himself to be. Like Paul in the New Testament (see Romans chapter 7 for instance), Godric is continually brought to an awareness of his inner wretchedness as compared with other's perception of him. At one point his scribe Reginald reminds him that the name Godric means "God reigns" but Godric himself feels more affinity with the term "God's wreck." He says, "...Godric's sins have made a wreck of God."
Elsewhere he concludes that "life's a list. Good tilts with ill." Sounds negative? Well, if the sky is blue on your planet, pull up a chair and introduce yourself to LIFE! With those words, Godric is referring to the reality that in many instances evil men prosper while the good suffer privation. Even in the church, the Lord is oftentimes mocked by those who ought to have exalted Him the most. And sincere folks are often given to attributing holiness to those most undeserving. In this book we learn that holiness must, of necessity, be something other than good behavior... it turns out to be nothing other than the unmerited presence of God.
A beautiful book. Well worth reading, and as some have suggested, re-reading many times. I plan to. We see ourselves here.
Rating: 5
Summary: Moving, Funny, Poignant, Poetic
Comment: Everyone points out that this little novel is graceful and poetic, and they couldn't be more correct. Throughout the novel, I marveled at the simple beauty of the words and the way they are put together, and it wasn't until later that I realized why. This novel is so meticulously put together that each sentence is written in iambs. I think that fact kind of holds within how wonderful this novel it is. It is a carefully constructed and beautiful portrait of a life persevering, persisting toward sainthood.
Everything about this novel is perfect. Of course, each sentence is perfect, and at times, I would go back a read and reread certain chapters which strike me so profoundly. The relationships held herein, such as Godric's loving relationship with Burcwen, with Mouse, and with Reginald, are subtle complex and really touching. And of course, Godric's own characterization is the biggest strength of the novel, as he moves from the worst of sinners to a godly, compassionate, and humble man.
I can't say enough for this perfect novel. I am sure that I will return again and again to its pages for the humor and warmth and beauty held therein.
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Title: Wishful Thinking : A Theological ABC by Frederick Buechner ISBN: 0060611391 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 24 September, 1993 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Brendan : A Novel by Frederick Buechner ISBN: 0060611782 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 28 September, 1988 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Telling the Truth : The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale by Frederick Buechner ISBN: 0060611561 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 26 October, 1977 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: Now and Then : A Memoir of Vocation by Frederick Buechner ISBN: 0060611820 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 11 October, 1991 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Book of Bebb RI, The by Frederick Buechner ISBN: 0062517694 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 01 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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