Okay, I admit, it is a dumb joke. Heather King’s new book, entitled Redeemed, is one I’ve waited for a long, long time. It is here at last. It is called Redeemed. It is here at last. I guess you get it. Duh.
Which puts me into this quandary, one I face often here as the sole writer at BookNotes. We get a new book in, a book I am convinced is important and good and righteous. Or interesting and provocative and fun. Or (truth be told) one I’ve ordered a lot of and my business partner/dear wife wonders how in the world we are ever going to sell all those. And so, I become, as I rather proudly said in a last week’s posting, one who “Hawks for the Kingdom.”
I am aware—as one writer seriously poked at me this week—that I do not usually do what could be considered serious literary or theological review. I am, in the technical sense, not a critic or a theologian. (I do get pretty long-winded over at the monthly review column, though, and that almost counts, does it not?) And so here, I announce. I celebrate. I promote.
I have not read Heather King’s Redeemed book yet. I have worked 15 hours almost straight and have only indulged myself, while I was on hold on the phone, in peeking at the acknowledgments, looking for someone I might know (the beginning of serious review, by the way, placing the thing—read Mortimer Adler if you don’t believe me.) I did review (well, I commented upon briefly as I promoted) her wonderfully written and deeply moving book about her alcoholism, Parched, a year or so ago, and I know she is an honest, high-quality writer. And–get this, if I might namedrop a bit—my pal Lauren Winner told me a bit ago that it was one of the best memoirs she ever read. (Ahem: why she got an advanced reader’s copy but I didn’t is another matter, but I suspect the fine folks at Viking don’t know me much.)
Anyway, the quandary: wait until I have read much of it, perhaps weeks from now, so I can tell you the real truth, my own take, complete with astute observations, or rush to press and celebrate what I am confident will be worth any dollar you spend, even if I haven’t read it yet? I’ve read advance comments, know the vibe, trust the woman, and have that to-die-for comment from Lauren. So, I rush to press. The faceless internet sites have it, and they squeeze off the Publisher’s Weekly reviews, so I don’t want to miss out. This one will be so good that I want to be among the first to honor it with some kind of announcement. Ladies and gentleman, friends of Hearts & Minds, please know that this may be the memoir of the year. This is a beautiful book you’ll enjoy and which may edify.
The subtitle is A Spiritual Misfit Stumbles Toward God, Marginal Sanity, and the Peace That Passes All Understanding. See yourself in there somewhere?
Still unsure? Listen to the extraordinary spirituality writer, Ronald Rolheiser, author of the truly great book about deep Christian formation, The Holy Longing, who says,
A story with depth, rare balance, humor, and with a near-perfect eye for what is important, true to the perception that ‘sin, degradation, and scandal aren’t that interesting,’ but ‘conversion is.’ A conversion story along the lines of St. Augustine’s classic. You’ll learn how grace works.
You may know Ms King from her pieces on NPRs All Things Considered. You may recall Parched. Either way, you will not forgot this book. Thanks for trusting us, for being a part of this circle of BookNote friends, who allow me the freedom to promote stuff I sometimes haven’t read yet.
By the way, an obscure little note for those paying close attention. I briefly raved in the last post about the incredible new Shane Claiborne book, Jesus for President, and promised a more thorough review soon. My-oh -my, I can’t wait to explore the complexities and insights of that stunning new book—it’s amazing. Here’s a little connection: Ms. King thanks in that one page I said I read, the Los Angeles Catholic Worker. The LACW is perhaps the most interesting of all the Catholic Worker houses, with a graphically breath-taking, counter-cultural version of the Catholic Worker paper (called The Agitator) which I was quite taken with for a season or so of my journey. I would suggest that Shane & his co-author Chris Haw are the only authors on a CBA publishing house to cite friends at the LA Worker. As does King. See, even in my hawking new books, I’m trying to help make connections, make sense of stuff, place things, spread some mustard seeds, uniting readers of different sorts. In moments like these, I love this job.
If you don’t find it
spectacular I will refund your money, and you can keep the book
anyway.
How’s that for going out on a limb?
Hearts & Minds 234 East Main Street Dallastown, PA 17313 717.246.3333
Sweet. That subtitle sounds similar to the concept I had for a book if I ever had time to write it. It would be something about my being a screwball and God using that in the most liberating and beautiful of ways to teach me. Though, I’m sure there’s plenty of literature like that out there. This book would be interesting to check out the day that I finally finish the other lovely book I’ve been working on for so long.
You’re friends with Laura Winner? I’ve heard her speak online somewhere a number of times. She’s a great speaker and has a wonderful heart.
Am I still invited to come help with things on the EMC tour in Virginia? I can be reached at 717.201.5278 if you wanna call or email is fine too.
byron, i don’t know much about “serious literary or theological review,” but your reviews are way more fun to read.
i praise God that you love your job. it shows.
sam
Sam, You’re a sweetie. Thanks, man. I wrote to a Brazos/Baker guy yesterday hinting again that your book ought not be out of print. Keep on!
Thanks. I’ve been pushing the content a bit more myself.
I’m half way through this book which seemed to jump off the display table at B & N the other night when I was there with my seven year old buying an I Can Read Book. Something about it had me tearing up in the check out line. I ordered three copies to give to friends for Easter.
Nice. It is a cool cover, with that riff on the Hollywood sign. I hope you find it lives up to the hefty recommendations.
Just so I’m not confused, though: you said you ordered three. Did you mean from us? We had that blog special, but don’t recall anyone ordering three copies….some stuff gets lost in cyberspace, which is why I always give a personal email note of confirmation for all orders. Just didn’t want to miss anything.
I picked up the book at the library, if I like it, I will order 5 copies from you to pass out, one to my pastor
Just read the shack and it was enlightening
Being a party kid from the 80’s, the first few pages I read so far are very relatable
God Bless
Peter
I am the Director of Young Adults in the diocese of Rockville Centre. The young adults in this diocese have expressed an interest in hearing you speak. I would like to know if this would be possible. This year, we have the following dates available and would love for him to speak: October 25, November 29, December 27, January 31, February 28, march 28 or April 25. Faith on Tap is held in the Wantagh Inn from 7:00 to 9:00. If this would be at all possible, if would be so wonderful for our young adults!
Thank you for your consideration.