The only way to describe this book is - A Romance of Words. The author, who is an established writer, has collected a number of his articles and interviews on the subject of "words". He focuses on both reading and writing.
Being both an author and a poet, Woiwode's writing gives this book a very poetic tone. The words flow in a kind of dance. It seems it is written more as a craft than just for information.
I am an avid reader. Most of my reading is Theological in nature, but I do dabble in non-fiction and novels when the notion hits. I have also read some of the classics (Hemingway, Steinbeck, and a few others). They were mostly understandable.
I feel that Woiwode's writing is so reliant on literary knowledge that I am missing an inside joke. This is no reflection on his writing. It is tremendous. It has more to do with my own deficiencies. To be honest, some of it was a little over my head - and I enjoy reading the 17th century Puritans.
Each of us should try to read a little over our heads. If we always read those writings that are easy for us, we tend to be lazy thinkers. I feel that this book deserves a second reading after I have referenced some of the literature that he writes about.
As I was reading, I felt as if I was reading a Cormac McCarthy book. I realize McCarthy only writes novels, but Woiwode who is also a novelist, writes non-fiction the same way.
I enjoyed this book and gave it a 4 out of 5. The reason for the decrease of one star could be more of the fault of the reader than of the author.
I received this book, free of charge, from Crossway and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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