October 22, 2007

Libraries and A French Tale

For all you bibliophiles out there this is for you - something a friend sent me the other day. You might need something to catch the drool...

Also, Josh and I have been reading Marc Mailloux's book, God Still Loves the French. I'm enjoying it on so many levels. He studied at the seminary where I lived eleven years ago and all his references to the town of Aix-en-Provence enliven my own memories of that delicious place. His stories of cultural faux-pas on his own side in France and on the part of his wife in the States are hilarious. (His wife once called a doctor in South Carolina, where they were raising support for the mission field, and told the secretary she needed an urgent rendezvous with the doctor...)
But more than that I love the simple, straight forward narrative that tells the story of God's faithfulness to this one man and his family. Through various trials, sufferings and lots of hard work, they endeavoured to take the Gospel to France, and God was with them every step of the way. It's easy to see reading his story - why can't I see with the same clarity looking at my own?
Anyway, if you're interested in things francais and want to read a good story get your hands on this book.

Posted by j and b at 01:58 PM | Comments (3)

February 02, 2007

Narrative Histories and History's Narrative

I just recently (well, over Christmas) finished two books of "popular" history, or "narrative" history -- A.C. Grayling's Descartes and Tom Holland's Rubicon. The second was interesting, tracing the last years of the Roman Republic up to the crowning of Augustus as Emporer. It was enjoyable because almost entirely 'uncritical': he believes Caesar's telling of the story, or that of Suetonius, or Cato, Cicero, etc. At times it felt as though he was putting together the most interesting bits of the various sources to make the most compelling story, with all the twists and turns of a fast-paced novel. I thought it was brilliantly written, insofar as this goes, and recommend it with that in mind. Grayling's book was much more of a disappointment. I'm not a 17th century scholar, nor a Descartes scholar, but reading this book didn't help me get closer to that. Again, it was a popular history, and I'm not criticising it for its lack of academic precision or depth. I sometimes really like sweeping histories. But this was something else. Grayling is a philosopher by trade, down in London. So I guess I expected something more than what I got. Grayling speaks so much in the 'Enlightenment' mould of telling history: after darkness, light -- after the whole of the philosophical/theological tradition, Descartes and modern science. The book seems to be...

Continue reading "Narrative Histories and History's Narrative"

Posted by j and b at 04:31 PM | Comments (3)

September 07, 2006

The End of Lymond

Well, after nearly 7 months of (somewhat) regular reading, I have now completed the Lymond Chronicles. Dorothy Dunnett's 6 volume set on Francis Crawford of Lymond redeemed for me the whole genre of historical fiction. They're set in 16th century Europe (the main character is Scottish), and she did her research for the books.
But the historical setting, as fascinating in itself as it is, is just the moulding within which her genius operates. Lymond is something like the ideal 16th century humanist (with late 20th century religious sensibilities... ok, so some of it is anachronistic). He's not only the brightest person in Europe by a good bit, he's also fluent in any number of modern and ancient languages (Latin, French, Spanish, Turkish), the best musician in the French court, the best swordsman and marksman with the bow in Scotland and beyond, the most athletic wrestler, etc., etc. A bit over the top? It's all part of the fun.
Dunnett's plots are intricate and captivating and in the last couple of books even subtle. She's very generous to the reader throughout; meaning that, since you are following around the life of the brightest guy to ever live, you are having to use your little noodle quite a bit to stay on top of things (even if you skip all the classical allusions and untranslated lines of foreign tongues). But the result is something that is both entertaining and intellectually satisfying. I feel smarter having read them and enjoyed the process. I'm not sure how to give a novel higher praise!
I would say more, but Bryonie's still in book 3 (which is where it really becomes fun) so I can't really give anything away. In any case I highly recommend the series to anyone who likes a smart and engaging read. They're the best novels I've read in a while.

Posted by j and b at 08:27 PM | Comments (5)