Re: A Severe Mercy
By Brad Thayer January 19, 2008
It was brought to my attention that when you make a book recommendation then you have to give some type of advertisement. (Plus Bruce questioned me on why I chose A Severe Mercy.) Bruce, I agree that it’s very introspective and is not on par with Confessions, but, obviously, I don’t loathe it as you do. Furthermore, it’s not as bad The Life and Diary of David Brainerd. That is painful to get through even if it is considered a “great book” or “classic.” However, I didn’t recommend A Severe Mercy for the same reasons I would Confessions, i.e. a story of personal transformation. I recommended it because of the selfless love you see between a husband and wife, albeit idolatrous prior to their Christian conversion, and for how one deals with the lose of someone they deeply care for and love.
On another note, I’m looking forward to your class tomorrow so I’ll know whether or not I can listen to something other than NPR.