By: PAIGE FOSTER
Staff Writer
This last month has been busy – a statement which every student (and especially every high school senior) can agree with. Despite the busyness of September, I was able to read three new books throughout the month. Here are my reviews for my September reads:
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro:
This novel is set in a dystopian world where scientists raise human clones solely for the purpose of organ donation. These clones (called “students”) grow up in special schools isolated from the outside world. Ishiguro’s novel follows the lives of three best friends growing up in one such institution in the idyllic English countryside. The students must come to terms with their inevitable fates amongst the complications of friendship, romantic love, and the aching hope for a normal life.
I enjoyed this book greatly, in part because of the dichotomy between the cynical, harsh nature of the plot against the tranquility of the setting. Raising humans to be slaughtered to donate their organs sounds horrific – barbaric, even – and yet the story primarily takes place in grassy fields, benevolent swatches of woods, and quaint seaside towns. I adored all of the imagery related to the setting as well as its contrast to the plot. At the core of the novel, though, is a strong caution: There will be a point when advancement will come at the cost of humanity, and it is vital that society chooses humanity. I love that this book so clearly applies to the world today without being overtly dire or propping itself up on a metaphorical soap box. If I had any complaints, it would be that the self-restrained writing style was, at times, a bit too self-restrained. The characters could have benefitted from a bit more humanity to increase the reader’s interest in their fate. However, the writing style was nonetheless gorgeously stylistic and built up to the novel’s fittingly emotional conclusion.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero:
Scazzero’s work of Christian literature contains elements of psychology, philosophy, and theology. Throughout the work he attempts to answer uncomfortable questions about why the so-called “Christian-lifestyle” fails to bring the peace, joy, and personal fulfillment which it promises. He proposes an alternate way of going about Christianity, with a heavy emphasis on traditional spiritual disciplines like fixed-hour prayer (or “taking daily office”) and observing the Sabbath, combined with a more contemporary approach to mental health which centers on recognizing and resolving one’s false beliefs and negative coping mechanisms, often through therapy.
As a Christian, I see this book as an overwhelmingly useful tool for churches, parents, married couples, and truly anyone interested in learning more about their personal faith. Scazzero addresses the tension between what the Christian life promises to be and what it is, which is a source of significant strife for new and old Christians alike. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I feel I learned something from it.
The Ruthlesss Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer:
Comer’s novel centers on the speed of the current age and its implications on spirituality. His conclusion is that the act of hurrying has a destructive effect on people’s well-being and relationships, and that there is merit in intentionally un-cluttering one’s schedule. None of these ideas are truly new, but what makes this book unique amongst others which espouse the popular concepts of minimalism and mindfulness is that Comer situates them in the context of Christian spirituality.
There are some books which you read for fun, and some books you read in order to check yourself – to provide a backdrop against which you can analyze your own motivations and actions. For me, this book was the latter. It describes in detail the destructive behavior patterns and mental states which result from this chronic disease of hurrying, and now I can’t help but notice them in myself, my peers, and my family. In this way it was very difficult to read, but also very necessary. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is not only interesting for its take on issues of modern spirituality, but also for the humble, light-hearted, and earnest narration which makes the heavy content a bit more palatable. I’ve read quite a few books on Christian doctrine, theology, and commentary, and this is by far one of my favorites.