Archive for the 'Reviews' Category

What I am reading: “Paradise Lost”

No Comments »26th July, 2008; Category: Master of Arts course, Poetry, Reading, Reviews

One of the units I studied last semester included a reading of selected works from the classics of English literature. One of the works studied was John Milton’s epic poem ‘Paradise Lost.’

It had been many years since I’d last looked at this poem. It was like coming afresh to this monumental work of literature. At first I found the going a little tough, but the more I read the more intrigued I became. Over several days I actually read through the whole work. The lecturer and all of the other students in my tutorial group were most impressed. No-one else had read the entire work, including the lecturer. Several students chose to write their tutorial paper on this poem, but they only had to read and study a very small portion of several hundred lines.

I was so intrigued by this poem that I included it as one of the texts I referred to in my major essay. I was pleased with what I wrote in that essay but do not yet know my mark. I should receive the essay back next week.

What I am reading: “Holy Discontent”

No Comments »14th December, 2007; Category: Authors, Books, Christian, Reading, Reviews

“Holy Discontent: fueling the fire that ignites personal vision.” written by Bill Hybels and published by Zondervan.

I bought this book recently at a seminar I attended in Adelaide, South Australia. The seminar was the Global Leadership Summit run by Willow Creek Community Church where the author, Bill Hybels, is the senior pastor.This relatively short and easy to read book is quite inspiring. That’s what I had hoped for when I bought it.

The author explains how he was filled with “holy discontent” on an issue with which he was confronted. He was not able to rest until he had put all of his energies – plus a healthy dollop of energising from God – into doing what he could about the issue.

While this book is more inspirational rather than instructional, there is sufficient in it to take away and apply to one’s own “holy discontent.” The principle remains: great things get done when ordinary people get discontented and develop a mighty passion for a cause, whatever that cause happens to be.

What I am reading: “The Way of the Wild Heart”

No Comments »8th December, 2007; Category: Authors, Christian, Non Fiction, Reading, Reviews

“The Way of the Wild Heart” written by John Eldredge. Published by Nelson Books.

I’ve just finished reading this interesting book. It has taken me quite a few months but that is another story. In the last few years I’ve read two other John Eldredge books, Wild at Heart and Waking the Dead. I would heartily recommend both books.

John has written these books to address a problem he has observed in modern western society: the lack of hero figures in the male the population. Boys are no longer allowed to be boys and men have grown into pale imitations of what they could – and should – be in society. Their masculinity has been – to put it crudely – emasculated. In his books he seeks to promote ways of correcting that imbalance. Throughout his works he also brings a Christian perspective to the reasons why this is so important. He believes it is crucial for men, and young men in particular, to develop strength of character so that they can contribute more effectively in an ever changing world.

John explains how he has taken his own boys, and other men and their sons, through adventures such as camping, canoeing, mountaineering, hunting and various other activities that test and develop character. While I find his love of hunting abhorrent I do acknowledge the principles behind what he is attempting to do as worthwhile. Many fathers these days are weak and ineffective in raising boys. Many boys are rebelling because they do not have an effective father figure, a hero if you like, whom they can admire and emulate.

To have written this within the Christian context is doubly pleasing. Families and churches are in desperate need of a correction that will bring about strong male leaders, men who will fulfill their God-given roles in society, not wishy-washy weaklings.

Movies about writers: The Notebook

No Comments »4th May, 2007; Category: Movies, Reviews, The Writer's Life

Last night I saw the movie called “The Notebook” for the first time. I found it a very enjoyable yet thought provoking story. With the enduring nature of true love as its main theme, the story seems lighthearted enough but with many poignant moments, especially the ending.

While the movie only mentions writing and poetry in passing, the whole story revolves around the reading of what is a journal like notebook. The story it relates is both joyful and deeply touching, especially in its sadder moments. To me it illustrated the importance of the written word in holding on to treasured memories and joyful moments.

Movies about writers: Down with Love

No Comments »18th April, 2007; Category: Authors, Movies, Reviews, The Writer's Life

Down with Love starring Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger was recently shown on a local television station here in South Australia. The short review in the television guide attracted my attention. Here was another movie about writers; in fact, both of the main characters are writers.

McGregor plays the part of a popular journalist while Zellweger’s character is a popular writer for women. Set in the 1960s she writes a blockbuster pre-feminism book encouraging women to put career before love. This popularity makes her the target of journalist “Catch” Block (McGregor) who is determined to bring her down. Block is a compulsive womaniser and pursues her relentlessly, all in the cause of writing about her in a scathing way.

The movie contains very little about the process of writing nor comments much about the life of a writer. It focusses almost entirely on the relationship between the two main characters and the two supporting roles.

This is billed as a romantic comedy. I found it to be nothing but a pointless piece of fluff with a few mildly humourous moments. My wife enjoyed it and my daughter said it was hilarious, but I’m not about to rush out and buy the DVD for my collection.