More Than Words: Contemporary Writers on the Works That Shaped Them

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Summary: Great Writers that Shaped Authors
Review: What makes a great writer or even a good one is to have a relationship in great writing. It has the power to stimulate the imagination, generate creativity and help us make sense of the world around us. From the pages of this book are some of the most fascinating essays of 21 popular Christian authors share then stories of how they were influenced by literary masters and thier works. These intimate insights into the works of J.R.R. Tolkein influenced Stephen R. Lawhead by his power to move readers through his great epic of 'The Ring.' Eugene H. Peterson, when at the most crucial time in his life found Fyodor Dostoevsky's passion for God made a difference in his life. By reading the story of Walter Wangerin Jr's favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales helped him deal with life in a troubled family.

Philip Yancey, compiler of the book tells his story how John Donne taught him how he thought about pain. Yancey has written, 'The Jesus I Never Knew,' 'When Is God When It Hurts,' 'Disappointment with God,' 'What's So Amazing About Grace,' and 'Soul Survivor.' Yep, this guy knows about the subject! James Calvin Schaap, editor of the book, learns from Sherwood Anderson's, 'Winesburg' that no matter what you hometown's like, you can always be redeemed in it's serenity of life and the people. Schaap has written, 'Things Hoped For, Things Not Seen,' 'Paternity,' 'Romey's Place,' and 'The Secrets of Barneveld Calvary.' Others I need to mention are those influential works of Henri Nouwen, Flannery O'Connor, Charles Dickens, Ray Bradbury, T. S. Eliot have not only inspired the ideas the authors telling their stories, but I'm sure has touched everyone in some way to open up new visions in their own lives. I really enjoyed this book immensely. It's like you're sitting in on a great conversation. After each story there is a short reading guide at the end to invite you to explore these classic works in depth. I find this to help any writer or anyone for that matter in their quest to being a better person and even a better writer.