Rating: 
Summary: Delightful writing if you can take the egomania
Review: I resisted reading this book based on the many 1-star reviews it received on this site. I just knew that I would agree with all those readers who, clutching their stomachs, had pleaded with Anne to "ponder pride as one of the seven deadly sins." For some reason, however, I did read the book and I am here to tell you that, yes, it was relentlessly self-absorbed, but it is still a book that I feel has value. Part of the reason I may have enjoyed it is that I am a lot like Anne, except that I didn't have intellectual parents or a child out of wedlock, or become a Christian or an alcoholic (although my problem with bulimia -- on the vanguard before there was even a name for it -- was worse than hers). I thoroughly understand her need to refer everything back to herself, and the capacity to be prodigiously witty as long as one is looking in the mirror. For those people who don't have such narcissism, I am sure it is trying to endure a 15-page rant about her hair, which you just know she loves, and is only complaining about in order to flaunt. I understand the fragile gratitude which can turn all your particular friends and their children into the most amazing and singular people on earth, and your epiphanies and triumphs into the most breathlessly momentous. Sure, she was the architect of most of her own misery, but so was I, and that doesn't make it any easier to take, it just makes it more pathetic and picayune. The book must be approached as you would a diary, not a mature work of spiritual accomplishment. While several chapters were so overworked that they reminded me of Hawaiians making poi, others were gripping and direct. Ms. Lamott has a rapier-sharp wit, which is trained primarily on herself, and though her spiritual struggles may seem jejune to some, they are reported candidly. If you can cut her some slack, there is much to relish about being a voyeur to her inner workings.
Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I am a recovering alcoholic, and this is the first book I was able to read cover to cover in years. I was too busy drinking....what a wonderful book to take me back to the world of the living. As far as villainess's ridiculous comments, please ignore her immaturity. Obviously she does not know the meaning of "living" if she thinks it is ok for her to attack somebodies choices and life experience....
Rating: 
Summary: Explains a lot.
Review: This book confirmed what I always suspected: That the underlying causes of spirituality are mainly self-centeredness, instability, incompetence, and overwhelming bad luck. As I've said before with regard to Ms. Lamott's work, she knows how to write, but she sure as Hell (pardon the metaphor) doesn't know how to live.
Rating:
Summary: An honest coming to faith story
Review: I felt like Anne was writing about my story of faith, the intellectual parents, the flirtation with many religions, using men and magazines and television to distract myself from the existenialist questions that were plaguing my heart, yet we are different women, no alcoholism, abortion, or bulimia on my end, yet we both got to that same great place - church and God and Jesus. I laughed out loud at her irreverent humor and she made me want to be a better 'prayer' - who knew you could talk to God about such things in such a manner!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read for Anyone
Review: Anne Lamott has a gift for telling stories that few authors have. I was a bit apprehensive about reading a book on faith and religion, but Lamott's ability to relate her religious experience into everyday language made this book a joy to read. I would recommend it for anyone, religious or not.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so great
Review: I read this book because it was chosen in my book club. Everyone felt it was just an O.K. book. Parts of it were really good, funny. Mostly, I felt that I just couldn't connect with her, couldn't relate to her. Being from Northern California, we all enjoyed the references to places that we know. Overall, it wasn't one that I'd recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Witty, charming, poignant - what a journey, Anne!
Review: Anne Lamott has the ability to tell a story in a way that is very compelling. I read the whole book in a day, crying, laughing and musing over her honesty and placing her very soul out for everyone to examine. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Anne for writing such a wonderful, down to earth book and sharing it with such joy!
Rating:
Summary: Life shouldn't be so hard!
Review: Life shouldn't be this difficult! Lamott, through witty, humorous, clear, concise writing and compelling stories shows us how, in many ways, we are our own worst enemies. But she also shows us ways out of the problems we create and gives us a glimpse of how our attitudes and perseverance can overcome even the problems of alcoholism, drugs, being a single Mom, and being poor. On the surface, this is a very self-centered book, focused almost entirely on the feelings, friends, enemies, and weaknesses of the author. Yet, Lamott manages to use her story to demonstrate to us that through love and faith, one can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. If one reads these stories while keeping compassion in his or her heart for another suffering human being, then a spiritual journey unfolds with many wonderful lessons along the way. But it takes work to get by the feeling that we're learning far more about the author than we needed to. Yet Traveling Mercies becomes a wonderful sermon since it afflicts the comfortable and gives some hope and comfort to the afflicted. And perhaps the discomfort one feels when reading it is the same as that of being around sick family members or friends. And how can one tell the story of love and compassion for others bringing grace into one's life without sounding self-centered and a bit self-righteous? In the end, Lamott does precisely that. The reader grows respect and admiration for this frail human being as she tells of her own spiritual journey from someone who could not stand being "in the same room with a Christian," to someone who can lean on God and accept Jesus. And she does so without trashing anyone else's faith system. "I make him [her son, go to church] because I can. I outweigh him by nearly seventy-five pounds. But that is only part of it. The main reason is that I want to give him what I found in the world, which is to say a path and a little light to see by. Most of the people I know who have what I want--which is to say, purpose, heart, balance, gratitude, joy--are people with a deep sense of spirituality. They are people in community, who pray, or practice their faith; they are Buddhists, Jews, Christians--people banding together to work on themselves and for human rights. They follow a brighter light than the glimmer of their own candle; they are part of something beautiful." I spoke of this book to a minister friend, and recommended it as good reading. He in turn mentioned it to a friend who was having difficulty with a wayward daughter. The daughter read Traveling Mercies and reported back that it had changed her life. That she was able to see how to get things back into control. Perhaps that is the only recommendation this book needs. It changes peoples' lives for the better.
Rating:
Summary: Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith
Review: I, too, feel that this book is more about finding oneself than about finding faith in religion. It was obvious from Ms. Lamott's experiences that she had a lot of grief in her life, but that only made me feel like I was reading about a real person; someone to identify with. And, as she grew older, she came to terms with her problems. I felt the book was an honest account, painting a true picture of Anne Lamott. I also found it funny - in some parts I actually laughed out loud - and a little sad at times, too. It was well worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: honest and real
Review: I am a Christian, the homeschooling Republican variety ;), and I find Lamott to be wonderfully honest and real. Those who are offended by her introspection shouldn't have bought a memoir, for starters, and realize that all writers rely heavilly on the self. Lamott is just too honest to pretend that she isn't almost always writing about herself. Furthermore, those who think she isn't spiritual enough to be writing a book on faith miss the whole point. SHE ISN'T SPIRITUAL ENOUGH! That's the point. None of us are. Faith is believing IN SPITE of our frailty and inability to understand. If you want to pretend that only perfect people understand faith, don't read Lamott. If you want to have a little fun while being encouraged to consult God a little more and treat others with compassion, this is a great little read.
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