From the Shelf: The Sullivan Crisp Novels
I am excited to be starting a new genre of posts…book reviews/recommendations! Some of these posts will be like introducing you to some of my dearest friends.
I have a confession to make. I am a recovering Christian book snob. It isn’t a very pretty side of me. There were years when I turned my nose up at Christian fiction, my stomach unsettled from what I interpreted as sappy prose unnaturally seasoned with out of touch clichés and Christian-ese. At age 12 I adored the “Love Comes Softly” series, but somewhere between preadolescent sentimentality and college skepticism my taste buds…and attitude…changed.
I probably stayed in this stream of opinion until somewhere in my mid-twenties when a respected friend or four started recommending certain books that reached in and grabbed my heart and read my struggles like a caring sister.
The irony is that my twenty something attitude likely claimed the Christian books were closed to the world when my mind was closed shut to any options available by authors who labeled themselves Christian…until I read Anne Lamott…but she is an entirely different genre altogether. I might have her to thank, however, for bringing me back to “Christian” authors and for those of you who know of her…that is down right hysterical.
As with most things, an open mind is an asset even when it comes to overtly Christian literature and since becoming “enlightened” in my mid-twenties I have experienced some books that have become some of my dearest friends.
I want to introduce you to my latest dear one.
Meet the Sullivan Crisp novels.
Maybe it is because the main character is a therapist and parallel processing issues are a highlight of the narrative. Maybe it is because the books deal honestly with the issues that are present in ALL of humanity…including in the church. Maybe it is because there is a healthy, if subtle, dose of theological struggles as underpinnings to the story line. Maybe it is because I find the authors’ prose creative and fun to chew on with alliteration and imagery used in ways that are easy to spot and enjoy, but not smothering and cheesy.
Whatever the reasons…I am thrilled to have made this new acquaintance and want to introduce him to you as well! As of now there are three novels and I have read the first two. I know some of my friends have already read all three…devoured is probably the better word choice.
From extramarital affairs committed by “Christian” professors at “Christian” schools to the sometimes shallow lives of “Christian” celebrities to eating disorders…these books are full of broken people where issues are exposed, confronted, and healing is not the title of a service by a television evangelist, but the deep, groanings of a Holy Spirit working through the cracks of our own heavily made up façades.
Reading these books is a little like therapy. At least that is what I have heard from others. I think I agree.
For some of you…they will likely make you uncomfortable. For others of you…they still aren’t Nobel literature winners although they have won some “book of the year” awards.
I do promise that they are worth the read. I don’t promise you will agree with everything. You will likely have to spit out some bones and if you are a fellow therapist you will find some unconventional methods that make you a little nervous. The novels are also largely Western, white, and middle class.
Start with the first one: Healing Stones. I just know you are going to love these new friends as much as I do. I can’t wait to devour read the third one!
I will second this recommendation! I have never been a vig fan of christian fiction either but this series has changed my mind! I too have devoured the first two books and am excited to start the third.
Yes, so good, Jenn! Maybe we’ll find some other christian fiction you’ll like!
bought it and looking forward to a good read. I appreciate the heads up. I often don’t buy because I have been disappointed so often in the past by books that are not what they claim to be. I will look forward to future reviews.
Angie
Angie, I hope you like it! AND, do not hesitate to tell me otherwise! I know that not every book is for every person. I usually make two qualification when I recommend a book: 1. You won’t live everything in it, I’m sure and 2. if you don’t like it I will not be offended!
Emily,
We don’t know each other but I have been reading your blog via Jon who I am an old classmate stemming back to 6th grade. I think you are a great writer or maybe I just totally relate to you (3 kids, career, family…) I love book recommendations…so excited to try out this series. When you mentioned Love Comes Softly series it took me back a lot of years and I immediately went to Amazon and ordered them for my daughter. She loved Little House and I know she will love these too. Thanks for the new read ideas and the memory of the old….:)
Ginger, it is so nice to “meet” you! You know what…I had not thought about my oldest daughter reading the Love Comes Softly series, but now that you mention it I think that is a great idea! Thank YOU for bringing that idea up for me. I loved, loved those books at that age. I hope you like the Sullivan Crisp series! I am enjoying it (obviously) very much. Let me know what you think…either way!
I think that is very hard to find a Christian book worth reading, but here are some suggestions, in particular since you are in the counseling field. These novels were a revelation to me and I hope you will enjoy them!
Abide with ME; Elizabeth Strout
Glittering Image
Glamorous Powers; both by Susan Howatch
Peace like a River; Leif Enger
Dwelling Places, by Vinita Hampton Wright
Home, by Marilynne Robinson
Deborah, I have read Glamorous Powers and love Susan Howatch’s books! Thanks for the recommendations on these others, too!
I just finihed reading Healing Waters and I totally agree with you about many typical christian books.Theres just something run of the mill- and overly done about them and I don’t know just too idealic..I can picture being in the lives of these charcters- I can picture relating to them and well I just thought it was a wonderful read and I received good counsel from it, too..I can’t wait to read the rest of the Sullivan Crisp series
I’ve read Healing Waters and Healing Sands and in the main, thought they were excellent. Except for two things: (1) please don’t say “holy crow” — there is only one HOLY ONE and it’s not a crow – I cringed everytime I read that. The other and maybe I missed someting here (in Healing Sands) you say Sully should have SOME gods. To a Christian, there is only ONE God.