It took time to warm to this one. I didn’t enjoy it to begin with, but - much like numerous of the characters - I found it increasingly impossible notIt took time to warm to this one. I didn’t enjoy it to begin with, but - much like numerous of the characters - I found it increasingly impossible not to like Anne. ...more
An important and powerful book, the best of MacArthur I’ve read so far. He is an heir of the puritan spirit. Drifted off topic as the book progressed.An important and powerful book, the best of MacArthur I’ve read so far. He is an heir of the puritan spirit. Drifted off topic as the book progressed. Fine content, but I did wish to explore the topic in a more focused way. ...more
This is soul food and story telling that the world desperately needs to see in much greater abundance. I enjoyed watching the friendships in the storyThis is soul food and story telling that the world desperately needs to see in much greater abundance. I enjoyed watching the friendships in the story develop, and felt that the intersection between dragons and the abbey as an institution lend themselves to rich and varied metaphorical parallels to the life of the reader.
My very favourite things are two: the occasional sparkling laugh out loud moments that catch you by surprise. Eg “Our final cousin, light-haired Una, looked like an illustration from a child’s book of prayers, the ones with pious and apparently mindless children that have to have angels hovering over them to stop them tumbling off cliffs.” It was so good to laugh! As I believe another character put it, there are times when to bring a laugh is todo a service to those around. So it was for me!
The other thing I loved was the all-too-short and criminally underused theme music for the audio release - and, yes, it is worth the generous $2.99 purchasing price even if you’ve purchased the book in another mode. A go-fund-me full length album for this series is definitely in order, and ought to become a much more major feature in upcoming audio releases in the series!
A stellar debut novel, with numerous appropriate and excellent encouragements to read Jane Austin.
What could have been better? I felt that the dragons were ultimately a bit underwhelming. This may change in later stories in the series, but - for me - Smaug is somewhere near the bench mark. These dragons could have done with intelligence, deviousness, and some villainous intent (or an inverse redemptive arc perhaps). Francis initially gave an impression of something sinister, that could have been an interesting direction. The villainy of the novel overall was under-developed to my mind. The head of the snake in our stories ought to be manifestly crushed, and the book lacked that. I’d also love to see the history of the abbey play a larger hand in future stories.
On a personal note, This story also reminded me a little of one of my favourite novels of all time: “The High House” by James Stoddard, whose dragon was possibly the superior of Smaug....more
Solid book. I wouldn’t say it brings any sparklingly new insights into the field of homiletics, but it will fill up the tank of new reformers. I consiSolid book. I wouldn’t say it brings any sparklingly new insights into the field of homiletics, but it will fill up the tank of new reformers. I consider Piper one of the greatest modern preacher theologians, but his other books capture the genius of his thought more effectively. Every preacher should still read this book. ...more
When a book has stood the test of aeons, to some degree it transcends an individual rating.
I found the Illiad very moving. It is full of the rhythm oWhen a book has stood the test of aeons, to some degree it transcends an individual rating.
I found the Illiad very moving. It is full of the rhythm of doom and death, which is our fate - and resonates with us all. It powerfully embodies the pride of man, and the violence and warnings of it for those with eyes to see it. I missed the hope of the resurrection in it, because it is Christ-less, but there are lessons nonetheless. Being part of the great conversation in western civilisation, it stands as an important book that should be read by all. ...more
This is one of the best and worst Superman stories I’ve ever read.
The good: - like all the great stories (All Star Superman; Red So ; Secret Identity),This is one of the best and worst Superman stories I’ve ever read.
The good: - like all the great stories (All Star Superman; Red So ; Secret Identity), Space Age engages the big questions - Russell has masterfully engaged pretty much the full scope of Superman lore and stories - this was a seamless blend of the childish origins of Superman (Clark always orders a milk instead of the hard stuff); right through to a commentary of the 60-80s era; but also with the sophistication of mature story telling we’ve come to expect in great comic books. This is a master at work - Russell’s take on the flash was a load of fun - mature story telling in silver age garb? I don’t love the art, it that is magic
The bad: - what happens to Superman when the culture that has produced him loses hope and apostises from Christ the Saviour of the world? This story provides piercing insight into that question. This story is the produce of a culture well on the road to nihilism - they just haven’t fully pushed these convictions to their logical conclusion. Ultimately, this story couldn’t escape the sacrifice-salvation motif of the story God is telling, so there is still hope, but give it another 10-20 years and - unless the West makes a serious change in direction - Superman stories may be filled with more despair still ...more
