I recently finished two books that I consider worth reviewing.
The first is Hannah's Hope by Jennifer Saake.
This is a christian book written about infertility, miscarriage, and adoption loss. Having looked at many books in this genre, I settled on this one because of the catch phrase, "seeking God's Heart..." I was pleased to see that there was indeed an attitude of prayer within the entirety of the book.
Good things: Scripture citations, personal reflections, added reflections from others couples, further thoughts about specific virtues (or lack thereof), and each chapter includes a section for the "burden bearers," those friends and family of couples facing infertility, for how to love on those couples appropriately with utmost sensitivity.
Bad things: Because the author is christian and not Catholic, she does mention methods, etc. that do not fall into Catholic Moral Ethics. She isn't pushy, but they are mentioned.
Overall, I thought that Ms. Saake did an excellent job covering the emotional issues associated with infertility. This area is one that is generally glossed over, either in bitterness or an attitude of "ok, what procedure is next!" so I was surprised and grateful that she delves right in, and with a christian empathy.
The second book for review is Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset.
"A landmark among historical novels, Kristin Lavransdatter is part of the body of work that won Sigrid Undset the Nobel Prize for 1928. This trilogy of more than one thousand pages follows its title character through her life in fourteenth-century Scandinavia. It is a novel full of big and dramatic happenings: romantic intrigues, political schemes, and spiritual debates. It is also a novel about one woman's life."
Review by Erica Bauermeister
I would further add that this work is a catholic piece, one that chronicles this woman's life, from her falling into sin to her stuggle for ongoing conversion. That is the key throughout this novel, to see in this woman's life those moments of Grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment