a few quotes, but nothing profound and far too self-absorbed
This is my first foray into the writings of Kathleen Norris, and I am hoping that this is not her usual and customary style of narrative. However, I have a feeling it is.
She only shares a couple of her poems. They are tedious and personal. She reads far more into her words--even going so far as to proclaim them "prophetic"--than she needs to.
Am I the only person who sees her writing as not much more than a highly developed version of "the world according to Kathleen Norris"? This is childish, this over-fascination with her "deeply spiritual self."
This tiny lecture has a few quote-worthy tidbits in it, but otherwise I find it to be a highly self-absorbed personal narrative that meanders around for 80 pages without ever getting to much of a point.
This work is very dated. Perhaps ten years ago, laundry and "women's work" were still viewed as oppressive. Today's world has an entire movement of the fine art of homemaking embraced as a real value among the younger crowd. I hope Norris knows of this now.
Don't bother purchasing it; borrow it from the library if you must. Be prepared to read about 60 pages' worth of her personal life story. Although if you've read anything else by this author, I have a feeling you've already encountered this.
What's Prayer?
A remarkable work! Norris defends the inherent value to be found in the tedium of daily toil. What makes this small, 89-page book so compelling is that she reminds those of faith and those of us striving for faith that prayer does not reveal itself solely in the milieu of Sunday worship, but that it can be an unbroken dialogue with God, manifested as an offering of our obligatory, repetitive, sometimes even boring day-to-day responsibilities.
As a Christian Protestant woman who borrows from and participates in the Christian Roman Catholic practices of Benedictine monks - from which she draws much of her strength - Norris does a great service to the ecumenical spirit. Her ideas are universal and genderless.
real simple, not the magazine.
I thought this book is a perfect antidote to an over-rated TV show called "bride-zilla" on WE television station. While the women on the TV program focuses on an idealistic wedding, this book celebrates the sanctities in life- not necessarily married life, but the fullness of life where one appreciates the lost art of repetition, of tradition, and of all the things an arrogant society regards as "lowly".
Practice Makes Perfect
I am an "old" woman and over the years have come to recognize some of the truths the author has expressed in this book. To have this articulated so well brought tears to my eyes over and over again as I read the 88 pages.
It is so true that what one does -- practices over and over again -- forms the person, makes them who they are. Doing the right thing can change your thoughts.
It doesn't take long to read -- I recommend it, especially to older women who, like me, are more likely to be at the stage at which they can understand it.
A celebration of domestic arts
This beautiful and satisfying little book ought to be repackaged with a nicer cover -- and re-released. With our culture's current rediscovery of "home" and all things domestic (Martha Stewart aside), this book has potential to reach a much wider and appreciative young audience. As always, Norris's prose illuminates the poetry inherent in everyday living. Lovely!
(11 reviews)
