I just finished reading "The Book of Negroes" that came highly recommended and has even won awards. I wish I hadn't even bothered reading it. I actually closed it 3 times and wasn't going to finish it but I thought somehow there might be some redeeming quality or a good reason to complete it. Unfortunately I didn't find it at the end.
If I want to read or hear about terrible pain and suffering I just need to watch the news a few times a day or read this blog below and I know that reality is already sad enough without having to read a fictional novel filled with true horror & has so very little content of merit (my own perspective). Wouldn't recommend it. True, some of the events in the book are based on real events that did happen in history (and we already know what happened if we know a little History), but since the events in our world today are also terrible with all the atrocities and sadness around the world why would I sit and read a book and fill my mind with images of terrible pain, sadness and a lot of 'filth'. I just need to read my Bible and other books of merit and not fictional novels. (See my previous post). If you are looking for someone to pray for this week, I'm sure my friend won't mind you reading this and taking a moment to pray for him and for the many others who are needing prayer through terrible real suffering and pain. THEJOYOFTHELORDISMYSTRENGTH
I actually wouldn't mind reading the non-fiction books the author used for his research. I'm more interested in reading the real history or at least some of the history from the perspective of those who were really there.
Wow - remind me not to talk books with you! That's why fiction is written, Sarah - because life is painful. Books like this help us grapple with the pain and make us a little more compassionate. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to suggest that that is why the Bible was written! I think as a Christian I already have enough that I see & read that I want to turn to Christ and His Word to find my comfort and where to find the true compassion and not to some other human who filled his time with a fictional book. I think it may bring some comfort to non-Christians but I think the book was filled with so little necessary pages for the author to try make his point. History is very sad. I don't discuss books with others since I have my own ideas about how I want to live Phil 4 verse 8 and others may choose to interpret the Bible text differently. I just write my blog instead and try to live the text and not just sit and read what I deemed to be unhealthy & not worth my time and focus on real life instead where we can make a little difference if only by prayer.
ReplyDelete