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I
suffered a severe case of ``writer's envy'' as I read Miller's book. To
say that she is refreshing, original, or direct are all understatements.
Miller's spiritual integrity cuts through pious platitudes and quick-fix
faith fluff like an icebreaker on a long-lost frozen ocean called religion.
This is a book for the seeker/writer who lives in all of us, a collection
of Miller's essays and work from authors who are not, as one chapter title
puts it, ``Coward souls.'' They believe and do not believe with a passion
that gives us new creation from what was once dust and destruction.
In her opening piece Miller names writing as her ``Morning Prayer.'' And
lest you start to drift off into bliss land, let me ground you with her
words: ``Writing stories is the way I pray ... to search for the right word
is to search for the word that tells the truth.'' Later she writes: ``Prayer,
whatever form it takes, is not Prozac. And I know I'm doing my best work
when what appears on the page scares the hell out of me.''
If you are looking for a nice feel-good, means-well book this summer to
keep you from the deep water, this is not it. If, however, you are looking
and longing for something from someone who is not afraid to get real about
religion, faith and things spiritual, then I dare you to do the deep waters
with these writers. Holy Writ is not ``an ad for Jesus,'' nor it is a self-help,
writer's manual. What it is, I think, is an invitation to face questions
like ``What does popularity have to do with the love of God?'' Enjoy is
probably not the right word to bring you to this book, but then again, if
you enjoy the wonder, risk and curiosity of an intimate faith, this book
will set your words free to become holy writ.
Karen E. Toole, The United Church Observer |
