I picked this book up at Half Price Books because it seemed like an interesting, and short, exploration of an important subject. I did enjoy Bryan’s approach: an acknowledgement of the contributions of historical criticism and a return to reading scripture in its context but with it an understanding that we read from a position and from within a community – the community of faith.
The author brings a strong literary perspective and even has an appendix focused on liturgical readings that truly bring out the literary or rhetorical element of scripture. There is a lot of academic “name dropping” and references, and the author is British, so if you are not familiar with the debates within the academy this might be distracting and confusing. I felt like I knew enough to get through it but probably would have gotten more out of it if I had a deeper knowledge.
I didn’t make the connection until writing this post, but I have Bryan’s Render Unto Caesar on my bookshelf and have been meaning to read it for some time. And his novel Siding Star has been on my Amazon wish list for a couple of years. Hmm, might need to dive a little deeper into Bryan’s work.
Any who, if you are interested in approaches to scripture and have some knowledge of the debate this is an interesting and readable volume.
I picked this book up at Half Price Books because it seemed like an interesting, and short, exploration of an important subject. I did enjoy Bryan’s approach: an acknowledgement of the contributions of historical criticism and a return to reading scripture in its context but with it an understanding that we read from a position and from within a community – the community of faith.
The author brings a strong literary perspective and even has an appendix focused on liturgical readings that truly bring out the literary or rhetorical element of scripture. There is a lot of academic “name dropping” and references, and the author is British, so if you are not familiar with the debates within the academy this might be distracting and confusing. I felt like I knew enough to get through it but probably would have gotten more out of it if I had a deeper knowledge.
I didn’t make the connection until writing this post, but I have Bryan’s Render Unto Caesar on my bookshelf and have been meaning to read it for some time. And his novel Siding Star has been on my Amazon wish list for a couple of years. Hmm, might need to dive a little deeper into Bryan’s work.
Any who, if you are interested in approaches to scripture and have some knowledge of the debate this is an interesting and readable volume.
I came to read, er, listen to Going Bovine by Libba Bray in a rather round about way. I stumbled upon it while browsing the young adult section at Half Price Books. It looked interesting so I added to my Amazon Wish List. Quite a bit later my mother-in-law bought it for me for my birthday so I added it to my TBR pile. And some months later I noticed the audio version at the local library. It was only then that I decided to listen to it in the car. So keep that in mind and for what it is worth.
Cover of Going Bovine
All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.
I will confess I was not expecting the level of profanity or teenage angst I encountered immediately and in heavy doses throughout but once I settled in I enjoyed the story.
It was creative and entertaining for the most part. I did find it dragged a bit in parts but usually picked back up rather quickly with a plot twist or new character. Despite my not liking all the teenage angst, etc. I have to admit it dealt with real issues and captures much of the emotions and interactions of that difficult period of life. As VOYA reviewer Laura Panter points out:
Bray portrays Cameron so realistically that he is every teen struggling with his or her identity. At times, readers will both love and hate Cameron as his adventures are alternately comical, nail biting, and heart wrenching.
And while the main character isn’t all that likable for most of the book, quite a few of the characters were hilarious and very well done. I cracked a smile practically every time Balder (the yard Gnome and Norse god) was involved and Gonzo (Cam’s hypochondriac dwarf sidekick) had his moments as well.
And I have to say the narrator, Erick Davies, did a tremendous job bringing it all to life. I was amazed at how he could provide the voice for so many different and unique characters and give them all a sound and style of their own. I have a feeling this would be a great audio book to take on long trips. But not appropriate for young kids and your tolerance for profanity and vulgarity will be a factor in your enjoyment.
I think your reaction will also depend on how your sense of humor and perspective on the world matches Bray’s. Children’s Literature’s Claudia Mills offers rather effusive praise:
This is a huge book in every way: an epic, picaresque 480-page journey; a scathingly observed social satire of the ways in which we numb ourselves to avoid the pain and risk of actually engaging with our lives; a stay-up-late-to-finish-it page-turner; and a sprawling, hilarious, and deeply moving meditation on what it is, in the end, that makes life worth living.
School Library Journal is a little less effusive:
It’s a trip worth taking, though meandering and message-driven at times. Some teens may check out before Cameron makes it to his final destination, but many will enjoy asking themselves the questions both deep and shallow that pop up along the way.
SLJ also offered some thoughts on the audio version:
There is so much going on that listeners could easily lose the twisting thread in an instant of inattention. Filled with slang, four letter words, humor, pathos, satire, absurdities, sex, drugs, rock ‘n roll, and the fight between good and evil, this is not a journey for the faint of heart.
I have to agree with that! But all in all I found it to be an imaginative and engaging story that deals with some serious issues in entertaining and interesting ways.
I will admit it. I just don’t have the discipline nor motivation to blog on a regular basis. My life is not suited to it at the moment and I don’t have the drive or will power to overcome that. That’s reality. No matter how I wish it were otherwise.
One thing that did strike me in the week or so since I lasted posted was the curious form of denial that is involved in my book addiction. Yes, despite not managing to produce content on this blog I continue to collect books in an alarming rate (and read them at a not too shabby pace).
The denial involves the belief that somehow buying more books than you can ever possibly read is a good use of your resources. Or that with as many books as I currently have I should be looking for more. Why do I continue to visit bookstores, browse Amazon and sign up for book content on social media and email? I really don’t need anymore books. I haven’t counted but I have a great deal of books at home that I have not read (both physical and digital). Hundreds of books I would guess.
I will admit it. I just don’t have the discipline nor motivation to blog on a regular basis. My life is not suited to it at the moment and I don’t have the drive or will power to overcome that. That’s reality. No matter how I wish it were otherwise.
One thing that did strike me in the week or so since I lasted posted was the curious form of denial that is involved in my book addiction. Yes, despite not managing to produce content on this blog I continue to collect books in an alarming rate (and read them at a not too shabby pace).
The denial involves the belief that somehow buying more books than you can ever possibly read is a good use of your resources. Or that with as many books as I currently have I should be looking for more. Why do I continue to visit bookstores, browse Amazon and sign up for book content on social media and email? I really don’t need anymore books. I haven’t counted but I have a great deal of books at home that I have not read (both physical and digital). Hundreds of books I would guess.
*slight exaggeration in title for aliteration purposes …
As a certified book addict, I will admit to sometimes needing a little “self talk” to prevent my buying books just for the sake of buying books. You know what that is like, when you buy some cheap children’s books or a paperback you will probably never read just because you feel like you have to scratch that particular itch.
Well, last night I have to say I both avoided buying books I was unlikely to read but found some great deals from author’s I really enjoy reading. And what else is blogging about if it is not about sharing these experiences?
– Home by Marilynne Robinson – despite having really enjoyed Gilead I have yet to read this one. Now for only $2 I have added it to the TBR pile!
I will admit it. I just don’t have the discipline nor motivation to blog on a regular basis. My life is not suited to it at the moment and I don’t have the drive or will power to overcome that. That’s reality. No matter how I wish it were otherwise.