Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith

Great book! Takes the gloves off and tells it like it is.

Anne opens up and lets you inside her life, the good, bad and ugly.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not for the Faint of faith

This certainly does not sound like a book on faith. At least nothing like I am accustomed to. That is the main thing that kept me reading it. The book was referred to by Gigi Graham, a friend that I admire, but I was shocked this book would be on her referral list, her coming from a 'holy' family and all. I had difficulty getting past the multitude of four letter words, and at times peaked over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching me read it as I sat in the waiting area and after boarding my flight. Then when I gasped or burst out laughing I know I received some prunish glances form the annoyed or sleeping co-travelers. Anne's disprespect for the reader was unnerving. A violation at times. So, I simply kept reminiding myself, 'I'm a big boy.' - it's not like I haven't heard these 'terms' before. Still her journey is stimulating and her writing, well she's a kind of Meryl Streep really, very versitle and somewhat intoxicating. Careful what you reccomend - this is not for the faint of heart - but I still pick it up once in a while - just for the creativity and all.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Likeable by far but...

Faith based. Pretty much all there is to say about it. This woman has absolutely no confidence in herself therefore, she dismisses every great accomplishment in her life that she achived on her own and claims that it was miricale from God. Her spinelessness is disgusting. It is very important in collections as such to have a point to writing and publicly sharing movement to faith stories. Lamott does not have a point to get across to the reader. Perhaps one argues that it is the movement to faith she wishes to get across to the reader. Unfortunately for Lamott this is over done...she's joined the ranks of dime-a-dozen writers. Why should one read this collection? Because it will kill sometime and put 'pretty' images in one's head. Stylistically, Lamott uses unnecessary imagary and metaphor. In other words, she uses poetic devices for the sake of poetic devices and not to make a point (and perhaps to cover up the fact that she never makes strong points...not even implicitly). Anne Lamott is just another bad American author that makes people smile, and promptly forget what they've read a month afterward (kind of like a Hollywood movie) If you want literature or even a good biography do not waste your time on this collection.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Occasionally askew, but definitely inspirational

As usual, Anne Lamott never seems to disappoint. This is the third of her books that I have read, and I still can't get over the way she writes -- as so many people have said already, reading her work is akin to having a deep conversation with an old friend (or a new friend who instantly feels as though she's always been a part of your life). If you're anything like me, you won't be able to help yourself from laughing out loud, as well as shedding a few tears of empathy, because all of us can relate in some way to her tales of both triumph and woe. I would, however, like to point out to Christian believers that her understanding of spirituality is a bit off at times and she has a tendency to use strong language. Nevertheless, you will find many positive insights in her writing as long as you keep an open mind (just remember to keep the ol' filter turned on). And if you enjoy Lamott's style of open, honest writing, check out Donald Miller's book, 'Blue Like Jazz.' He is also an excellent author and, like Lamott, has a way of slipping into your unconsciousness until you are sure that you and he would be instant best friends should you ever meet.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Strongly Recommended

I'm a college freshman who was required to read this book for my freshman seminar class, and it absolutely blew me away. The writing style, humor, depth, and honesty hooked me early and held me until I finished. This book isn't pretty; but it makes you think, and it leaves you feeling good, and more importantly, thinking. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new perspective on faith.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Anne Lamott is the best!

Although this is the second time reading this book, I do not get tired of it. It is the first of three books that seem to comprise a trilogy of sorts,regarding Ms. Lamott's life. This author uplifts without preaching. Although I am not a fiction fan, since reading her autobiographical books,I have been so entranced with her style of prose,that I bought all of her novels. They did not disappoint. Ann Lamott uses humor to get her through life's large and small tribulations,of which there are many,some self-inflicted,some merely everyday bumps in the road of life. I cannot say enough about Ann Lamott. I think everyone can identify with some part of this book. I highly recommend this as a must read. When you are done with "Traveling Mercies", read the second and third books in this quasi series, "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith" and "Grace Eventually".

great book!

emotional, inspirational, and some humor. overall a great book

My new favorite author!

When talking about her books she wrote somewhere "I try to write the books I would love to come upon, that are honest, concerned with real lives, human hearts, spiritual transformation, families, secrets, wonder, craziness - and that can make me laugh. When I am reading a book like this, I feel rich and profoundly relieved to be in the presence of someone who will share the truth with me, and throw the lights on a little, and I try to write these kinds of books. Books, for me, are medicine."

She accomplished her goal. Great Medicine! cured me of several maladies ;-)

Life-changing.

Imagine sittng with a noted writer, just you, no one else, and listening to her talk to you about her life. There is no baloney, no shame, no apology, no prescriptions, no lock on the truth. Better yet, there is unabridged humanness--that quality we try hard to keep in check.
If you're still hurting and searching and nothing you've tried has helped, really, try again. Read Anne Lamott's book.

Good Read

Anne Lammott is a great writer. Her stories are very random. I love it.

A Quirky Memoir that Speaks to the Heart

Anne Lamott shares the stories of her spiritual awakening and transformation. Her memoir is frank and sparkling as she spins out her stories in a kaleidoscope of images and poetry. Lamott offers a candid look into her life, her search for meaning, her encounters with God, and her inner struggle with destructive addictions. She invites the reader into her personal thoughts as she reflects on her deepest fears, her painful losses, and her overwhelming desire for meaning and love in her life. Her tales are told with earthy humor, poignant insights and raw pain as she offers wit, grace and hope for living life to the brink and beyond. Traveling Mercies offers every woman and man, in search of meaning and spirituality, a traveling companion. For in Lamottâ¿¿s stories one can find connections to their own life struggles and questions while gleaning nuggets of wisdom and hope. Traveling Mercies offers a breath of fresh air for book clubs, prayer groups, coffee house conversation or anyone looking for a non-conventional book in which to explore the meaning of life, God, loss, and love.

I loved this book!

I bought this off the shelf of a used book store without knowing what to expect. I loved it -- it is funny, wise, beautifully written, and her theology matches mine perfectly -- pretty rare! I passed the book on to a young woman right away who I thought could benefit from it (a Christian but very troubled), and have also given it as a gift to friends. Just a great read.

Beyond Beautiful!

Traveling Mercies was so engaging, I devoured it in two sittings. Thank you, Anne Lamott, for your courageous candor, unique perspective, and irreverant sense of humor. I laughed out loud, sobbed like a crazy person, and felt more deeply moved than I have in a long while. I cannot adequately express how much I enjoyed this book and how appreciative I am of your writing style. I can only tell you that I have been recommending Traveling Mercies to all my friends.

Faith Based

'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen'-Hebrews11:1 For anyone to state that she [the author] blames God for all of her accomplishments is just redefining what the entire book is about. The author recognizes that, if left up to her own devices, she would'nt be here today. So yes, it is faith based, but it is also her relenishing of power over to something greater than herself. That is what true strength is and I am glad to see more people are finding true strength.

This book gave me back hope

I am traveling with a christian group right now filled with closed minded people. I got this book recommended to me randomly after walking into a tiny bookshop looking for more liberal christian books. I was getting really down and didn't know who to talk to and i started to read the book. I have cried and laughed and just felt relieved to be reminded that there are people out there that think like me. Please do youself a favor and read the book.

I've been gobbling books like this up lately

I adore genuine witty folks who share their pain with us coated with humor for easy digestion. This book will make you laugh, and cry. It will also inspire and comfort you.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Heart to Heart

Anne's voice is like that of an old wise friend sharing her thoughts on life over an afternoon lunch. She's real. I loved this book and the way it made me reflect on my own thoughts about life, love, and faith.

A wonderful, gutsy adventure into life

This author really knows how to dig deep. It takes courage to confront your fears and overcome them. This book encourages all who read it to dig into themselves and find new meaning in life. A gripping read.

Inspiration

In a world full of tragedy, pain, suffering and strife, Lamott presents us a multi-faceted work that makes us laugh, makes us cry, and makes us think. Most of all, it makes us rethink many of the everyday experiences we discard as unimportant, hinting to us to look a bit more closely and pay a little more attention. There's something for us - a little gem of knowledge that will increase our faith many times over - in the mundane, the silly, and the frustrating. Wonderful book, highly recommended.

What happens when you pay attention

Within one week, two people stuck 'Traveling Mercies' in my face and said, 'Read it'. I wasn't at the low bottom Lamott was when she encountered Jesus...in the big scheme of things, mine was more a middle bottom, but for me the bottom nonetheless. I guess I was spiritually starving to death, and in my mid-40s, had realized that I wanted what was left of my life to have a lot more meaning than the first part. This meant that I had to be willing to give up everything that separated me from God, and many of these things formed what I've known as my identity. This business of rebuilding the self from the inside out is scary, but 'Traveling Mercies' is a book about possibilities and hope, and has helped me start on a new foundation. The first person who stuck this book in my face was a member of my Al-Anon group; the other was my rector, both aware of the pain of my questioning. I paid attention to these loving people and read the book. I fell in love with Jesus all over again, but in a different and deeper and more abiding way. I believe this is Lamott's intention in writing this book...that we become deeper in our relationship with God, more convicted of our faith through the miraculous presence of Jesus - that we learn to pay attention to Jesus' presence, for it is indeed there. The book may be about her, but it's really about Jesus. I don't believe Lamott intends to increase her own lovability...that this happens anyway is only a testament to her God-given gift which is, in turn, a gift to the rest of us.