Comments on: “The Wordy Shipmates” by Sarah Vowell

By: girldetective

girldetective — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:14:52 +0000

Deb, I don’t recall any overt anti-religious stuff, except for when there was a contrast between words and deeds. Instead, I found she writes with affection and compassion for the complicated people in the book and I found it respectful of their beliefs. What I continue to mull over is the shift from the communal, accountable aspects of Calvinism (which Marilynne Robinson is a big proponent of) to one where individuals are saved by grace, not acts, and what the results of that have been for various Christianities in America.

By: DebD

DebD — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:34:21 +0000

great review. I’ve read 2 other Sarah Vowell books and enjoyed them very much, but was a bit wary of this one, knowing Vowell’s Protestant (4 Square?) background and current Atheism I feared it would not take a fair look. It sounds like she tries to be fair.

Thanks for your review.

By: girldetective

girldetective — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:25:44 +0000

If you’re interested at all in these topics, these too books are good ones. Robinson is a strong advocate for a re-reading of Calvin. They don’t tie to Thanksgiving much, though, as it wasn’t the same set of pilgrims Vowell writes about.

By: Joy Weese Moll

Joy Weese Moll — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:43:19 +0000

This sounds like a really terrific book to read in November in advance of Thanksgiving. And maybe The Death of Adam, too. As a lapsed Presbyterian, I have a passing interest in Calvin and Puritans. Although one of the reasons that I lapsed was a failed attempt at reading Calvin (and becoming convinced that the man was a lunatic). Maybe a gentle guide like Marilynne Robinson would be helpful.

Thanks! I hadn’t paid attention to either of those two, but I loved the Handmaid’s Tale and still consider it the scariest book I ever read.