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Title: The Presence of Absence : On Prayers and an Epiphany by Doris Grumbach ISBN: 0-8070-7093-9 Publisher: Beacon Press Pub. Date: 01 August, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.33 (3 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A Reluctant Reviewer
Comment: It is a little scary to review a book written by someone of Doris Grumbacher's stature. Saying something about the work of a noted novelist, NPR book reviewer and essayist is a little humbling. It is only because of her honesty in print that I can write this review.
It is interesting that the customer reviews of all her books listed on Amazon.com that two had a rating of five stars and the average was four stars. However, one book received only a star and a half and that was this book. The reason, I think, is that this is an honest writing about a subject very sensitive to most of her readers.
This is a very brave book about religion. You won't find many of these works. The honesty of her writing makes some people very uncomfortable, because they perceive themselves in her writing. What did a distinguished author write that made the reviewers only rate the book at a star and half?
It is in the bibliography that the mystery unfolds. Most of her quoted references relate to western religious writings. It is difficult to walk through the Cathedral or Monastery then walk out the back door and into the world of spirituality. The synonym for mysticism is experiential. The very experience that Doris Grumacher expected for so long after her epiphany at age 27, is experienced by many people in the garden of Nature everyday.
Spirituality is being connected to the universe that you live in. That could mean your relationship, your family, your community, your country, your concept of the universe, your feelings about God and yes, your religion. Religious doctrine is a confining space. Spirituality in its simplest form is liberating and at the same time a new territory for most of us. Many of us seek comfort like Doris Grumbach in the writings of western theology. The fundamental problem is should we pray for epiphany from up there or should we seek the epiphany from where we are. It is difficult to take your religion with you on the journey. However, the end result of your journey will be a spirituality that will increase the sacredness of your religion. Keep an open mind and take the journey. It will enhance your religion. Cross the threshold of expectation and simply enjoy the wonder of the life all around you, for isn't that the epiphany?
Enclosed is a poem I wrote from "In and Out of Time" to be published in early 2001. Hopefully it makes the point of this review.
"Reprieve"
The stars are in my sight. The universe is in my mind.
Through the labyrinth The images do wind.
Release me from the rules Let my mind and spirit fly.
To escape beyond my fate And soar to the edge of why.
Rating: 1
Summary: Utterly disappointing
Comment: I got this book expecting something as good as Nora Gallagher's or Kathleen Norris's work and instead found self-absorbed, immature and disorganized maunderings. The theme of this book is Ms. Grumbach's fifty-year effort to recreate a spiritual experience she once had. She wanders aimlessly and apparently uncomprehendingly through bits and pieces of Western spiritual thinking, mostly complaining about the fact that she's "lost that lovin' feelin'." This seems to me to be on a par with dedicating your life to trying to recapture the feelings you had when you first tasted chocolate. Let go. Move on.
Meanwhile she takes a very defensive and often patronizing attitude toward all the many (and far more mature) spiritual writers who counsel patience and participation in the life of the religious community as doors to a true spiritual experience. She seems to honestly believe that the main point of Christianity is to produce in oneself a feeling of pleasurable religious awe.
If she didn't have a name, I doubt this book would ever have found a publisher.
Rating: 2
Summary: another boring book
Comment: I wonder how many more books she can write about her life, and yet avoid reality
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Title: Coming into the End Zone: A Memoir by Doris Grumbach, Doris Grubmach ISBN: 0393309444 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: February, 1993 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: Life in a Day by Doris Grumbach ISBN: 0807070890 Publisher: Beacon Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 1997 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
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Title: Fifty Days of Solitude by Doris Grumbach ISBN: 0807070610 Publisher: Beacon Press Pub. Date: 30 November, 1995 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: Practicing Resurrection : A Memoir of Work, Doubt, Discernment, and Moments of Grace by Nora Gallagher ISBN: 0375405941 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 18 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.00 |
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Title: Beyond Belief : The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels ISBN: 0375501568 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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