Copyright 2000
It has been a busy summer for us in Vermont; that season being the time of year that we cash in our chips as payment of sorts for long hard winters. This summer was even more touched by fairy glitter than usual as the garden sang its yearly siren song, our youngest child prepared for, and then headed off to college and a meditation garden, that may in time morph into a family cemetery, was begun- involving moving hundreds of rocks and what seemed like acres of soil. Now, with a hint of crispness in the air, the boy settled into dorm life in Maine and ferns and Hostas planted along the new stone wall I have time to pause- and reflect once more on books and reading.
I have actually not done a lot of reading this summer- other than continuing to explore an on-going interest in religion and philosophy with books which do not lend themselves readily to columns such as this. A list, half way between my holiday picks and a full bore description of one book seemed the best solution. The following therefore is offered: a list of a few books that have caught my interest, if not my soul as some in the past, most notably "Expecting Adam", have. They cover a pretty broad spectrum, and include, for a change, a few novels. All of them however have in common the fact that they stimulate thought and reflection on the infinite complexity, mystery and meaning of life.
"Wicked : The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire, Douglas Smith (Illustrator), Paperback, $12.60 (Amazon) Here we have something unique indeed, required reading for those of you who are of the "Did you ever wonder why?" turn of mind. The author has taken just such a question and woven it into a fascinating and amazingly inventive novel. The question at hand is: what happens if you are born green, extremely intelligent and prone to puzzling out the moral imperatives of life in the land of OZ? And, how does such a birthright result in the ultimate development of the commission of evil? Yes readers, this is the life story of the Wicked Witch of the West last seen melting away in "The Wizard of Oz." Do not think that this is a children's book. It is not. It is a riveting saga that can be seen as a rip roaring adventure tale- or an object lesson on the very nature of good and evil.
"The Man Who Ate Everything" by Jefferey Steingarten, Vintage Books, 494 pgs, paperback $14.95 (Amazon). This is yet another collection of essays, culled from the author's columns on food in "Vogue." Whether you like to cook or not, this book is laugh out loud funny and informative on all manner of things- from the testing for the best brand of ketchup, the ins and outs of Wagyu, that famous and expensive ($150/lb) Japanese beef, the science of proper pie crusts to a tour of the back of the box recipes we all love despite their culinary depravity. Like boxes of cracker jacks this is a book that goes down fast and easy, with a surprise lurking around virtually every corner.
"Time and Again" by Jack Finney, Simon and Schuster. Paperback. 398 pages, $10.95 (Amazon). Time travel. What if? Shhhhh. Don't talk. Read it and dream.
"A Fine and Private Place" by Peter S. Beagle, Darrell Sweet (Illustrator). Paperback (June 1999) $13.45 (Amazon). Another novel, originally published 40 years ago and never since out of print, this book is a cornucopia of fantasy and whimsy that will soon, among other things, have you believing in a man who takes up residence in an unused mausoleum in a cemetery, a talking raven who brings him food, and the spirits of departed souls still very much involved with love, life and the problems and meanings therein. Among the most incredible things about this book is that it was written when the author was but 19 years old. Read it and believe in a world just beyond our ken.
"The Happy Heretic" by Judith Hayes, Prometheus Books, 256 pgs. $24.00 hardback only (Amazon). This is a book of collected essays written by an avowed secular humanist and atheist whose work has appeared in a variety of mainstream publications. It is not, repeat, NOT, for everyone. Those of you who are devout Christians may well be offended and are warned to steer a wide berth around this author's writing. Well written, extremely witty and intelligent without being dauntingly intellectual, it tackles such subjects as Mother Theresa (warning: hard core fans of this lady should skip this chapter,) the role of religion in government as well as the seemingly impossible task of condensing the entire bible into one rather short essay. I do not agree with all of what the author has to say, but I do find her point of view stimulating in terms of evaluating faith in my own life. For me it was a book which issued a clear challenge; requiring me to consider another point of view in determining the role of belief in my life.
"Travelling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith" by Anne Lamott. Paperback - 275 pages, Anchor Books, paperback $11.70 (Amazon) Anne Lamott is one of my favorite writers- witty, intelligent, curious and very very human. In this book she bares her past, which included overindulgence in drugs, alcohol and sex, as few of us would dare to do. She also charts her journey back to health- mentally, physically, and most importantly, spiritually. This has come to be one of my favorite books of the last year. Enjoy!
"The best of a book is not the thought which it contains,
but the thought which it suggests: just as the charm of music
dwells not in the tones but in the echoes of our hearts."
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Happy reading everyone!
Carolyn Piper can be e-mailed at wicwas@wcvt.com
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