Traveling Mercies

Rating:
Summary: Hmmmmm
Review: This is a retelling (and often a very emotional one) of one person's struggle through life and with faith. It is not geared towards those analytically-orientated who like to read things that are organized and linear. This book doesn't just teach, but it draws the reader into the real, often ugly world of a real person. This is certainly not fashioned propaganda trying to convince others to join the ranks of Christianity. Lamott is for those, spiritual or not, seeking to enrich their thoughts and engage their own concepts of faith and ideas of what it means to live. One can definitely say without a doubt that she is, at least, always honest. Many may think uncomfortably so. She is shown at times to be both judgmental and irresponsible; and even though she eventually gets her act together (for the most part) she doesn't hesitate to be honest about where's she been and what's she's done.

For those who have come to associate the concept of Christianity with being judgemental, intolerant, holier-than-thou, strict home-lives, etc. this is an absolute MUST READ. It shows to perfection just what it is that can make imperfect people (meaning every single Christian on the face of the planet) Christian. All some of us would have to do is change the choices, circumstances and steps to grace and the story could be our own. What I think Lamott tells us in the this book is that anyone looking for the presence of God in their lives but can't seem to get past the icky, boring or dirty details of real life is looking in the wrong places. That the divine relationship people seek can be found exactly in those dirty places that people always try to get out of.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended!
Review: Ms Lamott is brutally honest, funny and touching about her transformation from a lost, addicted woman to a person who found her faith is inspiring.


I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for the presence of God in their lives and can't seem to get past the grit and detail of real life. What Ms. Lamott tells us in the his book is that sometimes that's exactly where we find that divine spark.

Rating:
Summary: The only book that has ever truly changed my life
Review: I read this book about four years ago and it was the catalyst that allowed me to finally set out on a journey to explore my own faith like I never have before. Lamott is unconventional to say the least, but her candor caused me to question my own sense of spiritual propriety. I don't think I have ever encountered someone who I have nothing in common with and everything in common with to such a degree. While I think her frankness might be a bit much for some, I think every Christian owes it to him or herself to read this. I haven't even begun to tell you what this book could be me to those who are still searching. If you like this book, you should also check out Blue Like Jazz, by Don Miller.

Rating:
Summary: More Thoughts on Faith
Review: My first interaction with this text was an excerpt that was read in class, highlighting the chapter, "Why I Make Sam Go to Church." I found this excerpt to be engaging, interesting, and thought provoking -- why DO we make our kids go to church? Lamott's response, I think, powerfully demonstrates that the church, and God's love, is big enough for all of us, even those of us who struggle along our path.

I enjoyed getting to explore this book (for a different class) and really tried to embrace the perspectives that Lamott gives. I found her storytelling style to be genuine, honest, and real -- something which I appreciated a great deal. Her struggles with a variety of issues and how God met her, and CLAIMED HER, just as she was, is inspirational to me. Specifically, I felt like I could relate to many of her feelings of desperation at times...not completely understanding where God was in the mix of the world, but knowing He was somewhere, and clinging to that notion.

While this book, reviewed as "reverent and irreverent" (San Fransico Examiner and Chronicle) might make some readers uncomfortable with some of the life situations described, it does a great job of reminding us that God can be found in many places in one's life....not just inside of a church building.

A quick read. Definitely recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad but not good
Review: Having to read this as an assignment for a class, I wasn't all to thrilled to do it. I just wasn't particularly drawn into the reading. Lamott tends to jump around in her thoughts and does a good job at confusing you.

I did enjoy hearing about how her faith life had been formed, but it was still missing something that I just can't identify.

Overall, if I had to read it again, I probably would, just to see if I could really get engaged by the text.

Rating:
Summary: Poetic and enjoyable
Review: I was encouraged to read this book two or three times before I was assigned to read it for a class. All those who had recommended it said it was a little off color, but really told a great story of faith. For me, I was most impressed with Lamott's writing style which was quite poetic at times. Due to the seriousness throughout much of the book, the off color and silly comments made me laugh out loud. I really enjoyed reading it, especially the first two hundred pages.

Yet, I would not say this book was about religion, or spirituality really. It's a book about life and how this woman views her life through her experience with God in Christ. I think what makes Lamott's book different from other Christian bookwriters is that she is honest, she was a sinner before her "conversion" and she is still a sinner after. Inspiring really.

When I read Traveling Mercies, I got the feeling that she would tell me this story the same way she wrote it and that made it very engaging and made me want to talk back.

Rating:
Summary: Achingly beautiful
Review: Traveling Mercies is an achingly beautiful reflection of Lamott's faith journey. Although Lamott is so honest it makes me uncomfortable at times, I still want everyone I know to read this book so we can share the experience. Lamott weaves humor, beauty, pain and mystery into every chapter. In the end, you are left hopeful.

Rating:
Summary: Navel Lint
Review: Lamott describes discovering navel lint with a friend from high school in one of her tedious essays. If only she had stopped there! Book Clubs across the nation have been subjected to this instead of something actually worthwhile. There are better stories about addiction and recovery, parenting, dating, and spirituality out there. Let's read the good stuff instead!

Rating:
Summary: self-indulgent drivel
Review: I read up until about page 131 before I just couldn't cut through the crap anymore. Like so many people in the Bay Area, Lamott doesn't seem to get away enough and mingle with the common folk. Quite apart from her spirituality, I found her political views the hardest to stomach: no one deserves to be judged harshly, basically, except the mother with Reagan sticker on her Volvo.
This book, which I bought for twenty-five cents from the library's charity bin, is suffocating. I read and read, and kept thinking: yeah, so what? Yet another spoiled and formerly self-destructive baby-boomer chronicling yet another phase of her existence. Who cares? Seriously, Lamott, there are many things we do or think which to the untrained eye appear interesting, but which in fact are dreadful nonsense, utter rubbish. Revile this kind of touchy-feely navel-contemplating (literally, she does it in the book) always.