Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World

Strong voice, comprehensive vision

"You have to read this," I keep telling friends. "Why? What's it about?" they inevitably ask.

Difficult question. "Everything" has become my default response. But it's accurate. This book is about life, death, the cosmos, God, people, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, quarks, thunderstorms - everything. It's about the utterly bizarre world gravity anchors our feet to every morning. And it's beautiful.

On several occasions, I would finish a passage, set the book down, and breathe in something akin to fresh air. I felt like I could see again.

I originally picked this up because I heard N.D. Wilson had been commissioned to write the screenplay for the upcoming film adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce. Being the massive Lewis fan I am, I had to see who this guy was and whether, in my humble estimation, he was the type who would "get" The Great Divorce (and Lewis in general).

Answer: yes, and then some.

Let's be honest, though - when you mention Lewis and G.K. Chesterton on the first page of the first chapter of whatever book you're writing, you have already found yourself a comfortable seat in my good graces.

NOTES from the TILT-AWHIRL by N.D. Wilson

When one picks up such a title as I did in selecting to review this book among many others, I had no idea what to expect, except that being a Thomas Nelson imprint it had to have some kind of value somewhere. However, there was a clue, I found it in the sub-title "Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World."

No, it is not something that preaches at you- remember the words "Wide-Eyed Wonder" were part of the sub-title and even though you get the Greeks Mythology explained to you in 21st century language, it is not pedantic. But that's not all that is explained to you, you are taken back to your origins and not only but that of the world, the universe and even further back to where there was nothingness, like "a few billion solar systems ago" and "even though I am tiny, I am placed on a stage so vast." Sheer poetry that stills the voracious ache one has in being torn away from the only Light that brings warmth and reassurance to our inattentive soul.

N.D. Wilson does something I revel in, he uses concepts that soar above our humanity and clothes them with everyday language- Next to the "infinite" you will find he keeps "a shovel for when the haiku falls, a bag of salt to fend off the whispering storms." This magical blending of our "insignificant" life of daily living, with the Mysterious, that which we cannot grasp within our hands, becomes a natural spontaneous amalgamation of which we are almost unaware.

Even though the book ends with Autumn, it has no beginning because it has no end, yet there is that impalpable life, both past, present and future as in an uninterrupted circular thread that binds the book into a whole entity. Pick it up anywhere, read it at any point, you will remain refreshed, perplexed and charmed by its probing, clarification and wide-eye wonder poetry... you will find life ends where it began.
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An Alice and Wonderland of theology

An Alice and Wonderland of theology. By far one of the most unique and thought provoking books I have ever read.

The book starts off with "Welcome to His poem. His play. His novel. His comedy. Let the pages flick your thumbs." N.D. Wilson takes you on a wild literary journey that ends with you worshipping our Creator. He helps you look at life and God from a different perspective. This life is a story. We are not the main characters. The drama was going on before we were born and will continue when we pass on. However, this story is not about us. It is the story of His glory.

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl has challenged me to see the awesomeness of our God in things that I have been over looking. This world is filled with evidences or a conversation that is screaming that their is a God and He wants you to know him. His writing style was very odd and exciting. I look forward to more books by this author.

Model for Christianity's New Apologetic

Through the good graces of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger program, I have had the privilege of reading N.D. Wilson's Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken Word.

Wilson was an English major while in college and currently makes his living as a children's author; both of these qualities are on display in Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl, though not in a bad way at all.

Dealing with issues such as philosophy, epistemology, theodicy, love, the flow of nature, Biblical worldview, and achieving meaning and fulfillment in life, Wilson treats them each with simplicity and lyrical beauty.

In an age when defending the faith in a defensive and argumentative fashion is giving way to relational and conversational apologetics, Wilson's Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl is leading the way.

Wonderfully dizzying

It took me all summer to finish N.D. Wilson's Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl. It seemed I could never get through more than a few pages without stopping to reflect on it. Hands down, one of the best books I've read in ages. How to describe a books that's been called stream of conciousness? (It's not). That opens its introduction with "What excuses can I possibly make for this book?" Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl is intentionally written to be as dizzying as its titular ride. It's a book to be felt--not analyzed. Though it would stand up to analysis. Just as distilling and titrating a bottle of Dom Perignon would give you a certain type of information. But it's not the way it's meant to be consumed. Nor, Wilson shows us, leads us, is God a being to be thought about, or proved, or deconstructed. He is one to be lived with, lived into, imbibed.

Two measures of a good book. One--how likely am I to re-read it? Very--I'm quite sure that it's one of those books that will read differently a number of times depending on what experiences I've accumulated and what I bring to my reading. Two--how many people am I thinking of who I've got to get to read this book? Lots. Regretfully, I cannot loan my single copy to my parents, best friend, music minister, cousin, and my entire book club all at the same time. The review in the current Books and Culture says that Wilson's "God is definitely NOT too small." That's a truth that none of us will ever grow out of growing into--the experience shattering gut-knowledge that God is infinite . . . Wilson demands that we experience more than we can handle, and that we stagger away, drunk and reeling from the spoken Word and the spoken World.

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson

In Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl N.D. Wilson takes the reader on a ride through the seasons and rhythms of nature and life. He explores the experiences we all encounter, from heartache and death to joy and renewal - often making his argument by telling stories about insects, animals, trees, and everything else under the sun (including quarks and leptons!). Through the journey he demonstrates how he believes it is all connected with God and faith.

I'll admit, at first I had a rough time getting excited about finishing the book - the opening chapters left me leery about where we were headed (perhaps because of the large number of philosophers mentioned. I've never been a fan of philosophers). However, once I was a few chapters in, I knew I was going to make it. Wilson's witty (and often sarcastic) tone and the odd stories about ants and earwigs make this an enjoyable read. For the most part I appreciate Wilson's theological views (especially his emphasis on physical resurrection), and find no damaging teaching. It is not one of those books that I will have to read again every other year, though I may flip back through it to pick up some of the great wisdom that is sprinkled throughout.

I wrote this review as a member of Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger program. http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

A Fun Ride

The reason I picked up this book in the first place was the title. At this point in my life it feels like I am riding a tilt-a-whirl so the title piqued my interest immediately!

I was fascinated with this book from the preface. N.D. Wilson clearly states "this book does not go straight." And then I saw the chapter titles and laughed out loud as one is named for the small town I live in..this book was a definite go for me!

The author was correct in that this book does not go straight..but in the end it spoke to me in so many ways.as life does not go straight! To me this book was a lot like poetry. Some people love it and some people are going to hate it. For some poetry is deep and meaningful.for others it is just a bunch of words.

Personally I enjoyed the book tremendously. N.D. Wilson's writing style is unique and quite descriptive. I love that he asked questions and ponders on things. And to be honest he does not answer many of those questions.as they are not meant to be answered here.

The tagline of this book is simply Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World. I cannot think of a better description of this book..it is creative and unique and a fresh outlook. It is written in a way that reminds me of an artist. To me it makes perfect sense as our God is a most wonderful Artist and this was a fun way to explore the beauty that is.

Notes from a Tilt-a-Whirl is a funny and yet thoughtful book..that goes around and around but I for one really enjoyed the ride!

We're all on the ride

I was a little leery of the book. It looked fun, but I wasn't sure how serious it would be. I was hooked with the Preface and enjoyed the entire ride. I could tell you that it is deep and truthful, but that might scare you away. It is funny and sarcastic and gentle, hopefully that will intrigue you. Using the seasons, his knowledge of philosophy, and a little science along the way, N. D. Wilson does a wonderful job of talking about the world and it's Creator. He takes on subjects like God and the existence of evil, the reality of Hell, facing death, and he even talks about whether God is every truly silent. It is very serious but in a wonderful spinning way.

I recommend this book - it is a great read with a wonderful sense of humor. You will laugh out loud and think deep thoughts along the way.

A Ride

N.D. Wilson brings perspective to a many different topics in his new book "Notes from a Tilt-a-Whirl." With the many topics brought to the table, Wilson, is able to paint a picture that you are able to see in a museum of thought you may have not seen before.

His style of writing, though spread-abroad, is like catching the treasure with a fishing pole. The truth is there you just have to engage and reel it in. His style of writing is an acquired taste, but truly is an adventure to read. If you are looking for a book to take you places and spin and twirl and ride and engage..."Notes From a Tilt-a-Whirl" is the carnival to go for.

I want to forewarn thos who pick up the book not to get frustrated with the writing style...it took a little bit of time for me to get into but after you are strapped in, it is a good ride. Be patient and if you have to reread a section, I suggest you do so as to not miss out on where it may take you.

This is a good summer read for anyone not wanting just a fiction story, but are wanting a ride with progress.

This book is...TruthDisciple approved!

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl

While following a slight semblance of organized thought, at times Wilson appears to comfortably write with a kind of stream of consciousness flow while at other times he seems to try really hard to morph into a clone of Rob Bell. I found myself simultaneously happy and mad, clear and confused, tracking and lost all within the confines of a single page; actually, most of the single pages.

Before some well-deserved praise, one final point of criticism; okay, maybe two. With no delusions of Pharisaical legalism, I'm usually turned off when an author uses words that most consider "bad words," for a) shock value, b) in hopes readers will think they're Donald Miller, or c) because these are words the author actually uses and since they're supposed to be authentic when they write they continue to use these words. I have a lot more tolerance for someone who uses a "bad word" when they're mad, hurt, or suffering from low self esteem and wants others to think they're really cool than I do for an author who is hopefully thoughtful enough in his/her writing to be able to make the choice to leave those words out. The same goes for word pictures. Don't try to shock me, just say it; say it clearly, simply, creatively, even artistically, but please not for the sake of shock value.

But in spite this freshmen issue, I found the book rather enjoyable while offering a unique perspective to which most readers will probably relate. I appreciated Wilson's command of the English language as well as his uncommon word choices, just not the occasional "bad word" and "shock image." Metaphors, simile, analogy, and word pictures abound such that the book is actually creative. While not breaking much new ground, Wilson succeeds in repackaging some old ground in a fresh way and that is worth the time and money investment for most readers.

Spinning with the Artist

What a wonderful ride! This book explores God as Creator, Artist, and Voice. Through ordinary examples (ants, clouds, skunks, thunderstorms, etc.), N.D. Wilson shows us the Master Artist and how He speaks constantly. It will be harder to take things for granted or to ignore them altogether after reading these words. The book takes the reader on a wild ride from topic to topic, always returning to the main point. What may at first glance appear to be rabbit trails are instead found as facts to be pondered, relationships to be explored, things to be noticed.

I really enjoyed this book and found many profound thoughts and statements inside. Two of my favorites are: "You have been born into a narrative, you have been given freedom. Act, and act well until you reach your final scene." pg. 108-109 and "Change this world. Use your body like a tool meant to be used up, discarded, and replaced. Better every life you touch." pg. 154 There are also wonderful scenes with his wife and children that leave the reader wanting to meet them, to share their laughter and sorrow.

Come on! Take a ride on the tilt-a-whirl and rediscover the Artist and his Masterpiece. Come, hear His voice in the common, everyday things and be changed.

An exploration of God as The Artist of our World

Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl by N.D. Wilson explores our Universe, from snowflakes to weather to ants, with wonder and awe at their creation and their purposes. But he doesn't stop at the awe and creation of our Earth's plants and animals, but goes on to seriously explore poetry, physics, gravity, good and evil, sunsets and darkness, and so much more through a stream of consciousness style. At times the author lost me on the point he was trying to make, but that did not derail my ride at all. I couldn't choose a favorite excerpt from the book, but to give you an idea of N.D. Wilsons' wide-eyed wonder at our world, I chose this excerpt:

"Snow is so overused. One sentimental, overly structured ice flake might have some value. But God never seems capable of moderation or of understanding the basic concepts behind supply and demand. He constantly devalues His own products. Give me one flake, a cool room, and a magnifying glass and I will admire its artistry. But right now, I'm sitting by my window on a Christmas night, staring out at winter wastefulness in the extreme. Miles of clouds, clouds larger than states, have turned into crystal stars and now streak silently past my window to their deaths. Well, not quite silently. The stars are falling fast enough that if you step outside, like I just did, you can hear the whisper of collisions and delicate frozen impacts, each six-pointed perfection complaining as it arrives-

"They told me I was special. There's two and a half bazillion of us in this hedge and more falling. Does anyone here care about overpopulation? A market crash? Close the sky. Lobby for a moratorium."

But the storm-whispers sound more pleased to me. Excited even-

"I knew I was different from the rest of you plebes. Look how silly and gothic you all look with your skinny, knobbed arms. I'm unique. Neoclassical."

Try counting the flakes. Really count them. I'll step back outside for a quick estimate. Let's be conservative. Assuming that we're in the middle of this storm and it only stretches ten miles in each direction (Ha, says the weather man), and assuming that the storm is a tiny one hundred feet tall, and skipping the preexisting ground accumulation, and eyeball estimating the frenzied blizzard's air content at a meager ten flakes per cubic foot, then we are looking at about ... 11,151,360,000,000 flakes in the air above a small patch in Idaho at one particular moment on Christmas night at the end of the year 2007. Just this storm, this tiny little slice of winter could divvy out seventeen hundred flakes to every person on this planet. More impressively, that number has the US national debt beat by trillions."

Not since Darwins' Origin of Species has a book so captured my imagination and wonder. Even as a Christian, I find Charles Darwin's work is thought provoking and worthwhile to read. On the other hand, Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl go in a different direction and paint God as the artist of our world in a believable way. This should be just an enjoyable for non-believers as it is for believers. This book might just adjust your focus on the world, it's purpose, and it's possibilities. This is a book that I will be talking about for a long time and plan on gifting to many people.

Notes from the Tilr-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson

"But why would any Christian claim that God had stopped talking? Did He speak the world into existence? Does matter exist apart from Him? Is it still here? Are you still here? Then He is sill speaking."

While reading N.D. Wilson's book, I experienced several emotions at once. Withing minutes of beginning the book, I was laughing so hard that I could barely read the pages! Wilson writes the way I think, completely random, and yet he always brings out a good point.

Viewing God as the Great Artist that made the world around us can really change your view of things. Ants lives are very dramatic, I will probably never fight for my house the way they do. Just think of the snow flakes, each one different, each one with a story to tell. Where had the water that formed the flake been before it was sucked up by a cloud vacuum? Where will it go when it melts?

He also expounds on the fact that when God made this world, He did not sit by and make things cute and cuddly. He painted with tension. There is darkness, He gave us a light to carry into the darkness. We can't go through life pretending that there is no danger, that everything is nice and good. Don't teach our children to ignore the bad in the world. Raise them up to carry the light into the dark.

"Make them dangerous. Make them yeast, and when they've grown up, they will pollute the shadows."

I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone. I just know that it will be reread by myself whenever I need a little thought provoking.

Thought Provoking, Fun, Inspiring

What a ride! My head is spinning. I've been on a TILT-A-WHIRL at a carnival. It took me far and wide. I didn't know where I would stop. All of this happened in N.D. Wilson's book, "NOTES from the TILT-A-Whirl." He inspired me to wake up and enjoy the wonders of the Creator's world. He writes about life, death, seasons, ants, rabbits and humanity. He includes Aristotle, Plato, Nietzsche and Socrates. The author writes in simple layman's terms. There were times my head spun like an out-of-control ferris wheel. Then, I remembered. When I'm riding a TILT-A-WHIRL at the carnival, faces are blurred. Everything is mixed up. N.D. Wilson stirred up questions in my mind. He made me want to jump out of bed every morning with excitement. The book is about God's marvelous world. Along the way the author was my whistling carnie guide, poet, philosopher, professor, biologist, and astronomer. N.D. Wilson likened my life to an actress on stage or a character in a novel or play. By the way, what happens when this life ends? God's winter becomes spring.

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D Wilson

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D Wilson is a creative and inspiring book. The way he writes is abstract and gets to an interesting topic. He explains they unique way he views the world and explains his wonders about it, and explains how this is all Gods doing. He is able to explain how the most ordinary object is actually something of wonder and that it was put here for a purpose. He opens up each chapter will a past experience and dives deep into the topic.
This is truly a truly inspiring book that is going to change your perspective on how you see the world and you'll experience a shocking new beauty the world holds. It makes you think how we are just in Gods play and its taking its path. This book would make a wonderful gift or it would be a great way to past time. This book will have you enjoy in a way you could never imagine!

Art in Words

I didn't really know what to expect. I ordered this book after reading the first few pages. It seemed odd, different and yet potentially enjoyable.

Notes from a Tilt A Whirl by ND Wilson is exactly that. It is Odd. It is Different. It is unlike anything I've ever read before. And yet, it is hugely enjoyable! It is part poetry, part philosophy, part stream of consciousness writing, and all art in words. I'm sure that seems hard to imagine based on my description.

I remember reading E.E. Cummings poetry in school when I was growing up. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the purposeful and different placement and use of words. This book reminds me of E.E. Cummings.

This book is published by Thomas Nelson, but it doesn't fit the mold of any of the subcategories of Christian books (in my mind). It is a book all of its own and one I would highly recommend if my description sounds intriguing. I don't think I can do it justice. It is a piece of art.

You can pick up this book and read a page, or even half a page and then smile to yourself at the cleverness of the words and stories shared. You can read a whole chapter and be overwhelmed by all the word pictures and stories you've had the chance to see in your mind.

There are cuss words in this book, there are things that you won't expect. This book doesn't fit any mold and yet it isn't irreverant to the Lord. I didn't think. Some people might be offended, but the author never meant to be offensive. He doesn't take the Lord's name in vain. But, he talks amidst the reality of life.

The author has a website--just google N.D. Wilson. If you read his biography and enjoy it, you'll enjoy his book. If you're looking for a fun read and you enjoy philosophy, poetry, and art, and most of all the beauty of this world that God has created--then go check out this book--I doubt you'll regret it! My husband can hardly wait to read it.

"Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl" by N.D. Wilson

"Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl:Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken Word" by N.D. Wilson is all over the place...and not necessarily in a bad way. Wilson's style of writing and rhetorical style make it idyll for atheists or just the faint of faith. The book reads like a dialog, almost as if the author is speaking to the reader. Much philosophy and science is discussed, both those for and against Christianity. What Wilson tries to do is set up his arguments in such a way that make it impossible for readers to discredit God.

Written in a fast-paced demeanor, readers feel like a long lost friend is running their mouth. This book is so unusual, it is good. For those that don't believe in God or think Christianity is hogwash, this book will change their minds. It is laid out in such a way that readers do not feel like they are being preached at. The language is very informal and oftentimes humorously brusque, although not laconic. While it is usually not good to judge a book by its cover, this is an exception.

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