Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession

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It's a hit!

With her beautiful memories of her spiritual childhood, Ann Rice illustrates that sometimes a Christian upbrining isn't the source of unhappyness M... (show more)

With her beautiful memories of her spiritual childhood, Ann Rice illustrates that sometimes a Christian upbrining isn't the source of unhappyness Modernists want to suggest it is, and that sometime the "freedom" of Athisim is where true discontent can lie. Her sentiments on why she left the church are profound, and something all people can identify with, but her reasons for returning to her childhood faith are absloutly inarguable. Also, the example she sets for someone truly determined to live her faith is stunning, as is the influence that such a bold Confession will have on her dedicated readers. Her story has moved me many times over, and the way she expresses herself, as it always has been, is so articulate and makes so much sesnse. A moving book for both Christians and Atheists alike, she doesn't try to preach, just express the absolute truth of her life, and what has been her guiding force all her life. (show less)

 

 

by Miranda

No, it's a flop!

There was nothing confessional about this book. If one is to take Anne Rice at her word, the reason she's a Catholic is because the churches are pr... (show more)

There was nothing confessional about this book. If one is to take Anne Rice at her word, the reason she's a Catholic is because the churches are pretty and she likes ritual. Really?After reading Sue Monk Kidd's books about her spritual questioning, this book falls flat -- Rice doesn't touch on anything in her life that actually might make her connect with religion -- her daughter dies, her mother dies and yet nothing. Rice just writes about parishes and New Orleans' neighborhoods. Boring and superficial. (show less)

 

 

by Suzanne

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  Although I enjoyed this book, I'm not really sure of its wide range appeal. I enjoyed the reminiscing on the Catholic church pre-Vatican II and her vivid details of the New Orleans of her youth. She does describe in great detail the Garden District and the Irish Channel, both of which she lived on the edge of. Although I'm not quite as old as Anne is, I remember a time when walking places as a child was ok. And I remember the church as she remembers it, though my experiences were not quite ... (show more)

  Although I enjoyed this book, I'm not really sure of its wide range appeal. I enjoyed the reminiscing on the Catholic church pre-Vatican II and her vivid details of the New Orleans of her youth. She does describe in great detail the Garden District and the Irish Channel, both of which she lived on the edge of. Although I'm not quite as old as Anne is, I remember a time when walking places as a child was ok. And I remember the church as she remembers it, though my experiences were not quite as grand as hers. I was surprised by some of the personal details of her own life which she shared. Not scandelous, just intimate. And her honesty about moving away from God and her eventual return are very interesting. There are some interesting insights into characters from her book, but only as they related to her journey. If you are looking for deeper insight into her books you will be disappointed, but those she does divulge were quite informative. I almost felt, however, like I was aware of things in her stories that she may not have been fully aware of until later. Altogether an interesting read and a journey through one incredible woman's life. (show less)

   

   

  by Diane Morgan on Oct 17, 2009 at 10:04PM

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  A strange book. I held out considerable hope for this book and in some respects it did not disappoint. The author has a remarkable gift for telling a lucid, linear and engaging story. The writing is truly outstanding. The subject matter started out a little slow, waxed briefly towards the middle, and then descended into the muddling and weird toward the end. The major element that struck me and engaged me at the outset was how "Catholic" the book was, which is something entirely out... (show more)

  A strange book. I held out considerable hope for this book and in some respects it did not disappoint. The author has a remarkable gift for telling a lucid, linear and engaging story. The writing is truly outstanding. The subject matter started out a little slow, waxed briefly towards the middle, and then descended into the muddling and weird toward the end. The major element that struck me and engaged me at the outset was how "Catholic" the book was, which is something entirely outside of my experience and very difficult for me to relate to. As it went on the intriguing and somewhat mysterious appeal of the New Orleans Catholic otherness degenerated into a less articulate yearning by the author to experience the stigmata that St. Francis of Assisi experienced and other similarly abstruse and hard-to-relate to sentiments that made the latter portion of the book a bit on the dull side. The superb writing and the window into the unusual life of the author were nonetheless legitimate merits of the book, and if there had been a bit more of a confessional aspect to the darker side of Ms.Rice's life experiences the investment of time spent reading it may well have proven even more fruitful. (show less)

   

   

  by Ethan on Sep 20, 2009 at 04:51PM

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