This world is beautiful but badly broken. I love it as it is, because it is a story, and it isn’t stuck in one place. It is full of conflict and darkness like every good story, a world of surprises and questions to explore. And there’s someone behind it…
Welcome to His poem. His play. His novel. Let the pages flick your thumbs.
Welcome to His poem. His play. His novel. Let the pages flick your thumbs.
Nate Wilson takes us on a journey of “wide-eyed wonder” as he attempts to explain the world we live in and the One who created it. This world is a tilt-a-whirl (with its spinning laps) and life is a carnival; ergo, we are all carnies. Wilson's premise: the universe is a work of art--our Creator's masterpiece. Wilson does a very good job at using his words as paint, spreading them on a canvas... writing to the body and to the senses as well as the mind.
Nate Wilson’s short clean sentences are appealing as he takes a stab at explaining the answers to the Who, What, Why, and How of this world we reside—written in such a way that neutral observers (who might not find this world to be believable) would understand. Wilson offers a capricious, yet interesting, look into nature’s absurdities, evolution, hell, God’s purposes behind tragedy, quantum physics, etc. all while adding his quirky humor along the way. As I read this book, I was reminded of two other books: 1) A Short History of Nearly Everything, and 2) Blue Like Jazz. I couldn’t help but get the impression that Nate Wilson was trying too hard to be the next Donald Miller. I actually enjoyed Blue Like Jazz. I couldn’t, however, get into Notes (as much as I tried). While Wilson’s writing is poetic and thoughtful, he just seemed to carry those thoughts too far—good points were often lost behind further (and further) explanation, causing my head to spin and, as a result, lose track of what the author was trying to get at in the first place.
I have come to terms with the fact that I may not be the target audience intended for this book. I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
Since this book is mostly in keeping with what seems to be its purpose, I'm giving it a 3/5 rating.
A big thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending me a review copy.
Did you enjoy this book? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
- Don't Bother
4 comments:
I've never read it but it sure sounds like an interesting book. Need to put it on my must read list!
Great review.
Natalie :0)
This sounds intriguing, but when you mention how the author seems to spin off into "further and further explanation," I would have to agree that this doesn't sound like my cup of tea.
Hmmmm.... sounds interesting. Not sure if it is a fit for me but if it ever happened to come my way I may read it. Thanks for the review.
I love the title, but may have to pass on the book. I am going to take a look at Blue Like Jazz, though.
Post a Comment