Interesting read

There were some great truths in this book. There were some good thought provoking statements but it felt a bit fragmented. It took a lot of work for me to finish reading it and I felt like it ended abruptly. ( )

My sweet pastor friend smiles when I drop the f-bomb, or say shit, or confess to doubt. I love her for being so comfortable to be around that I don't edit my ideas or words. I love her even more for giving me this book. "Read the last chapter first," she said. So I did. I feel perceived.

Because of her thoughtful gift my days this past week or more have begun with a cup of tea and Anne's voice, Anne's stories. Even going slowly, the book ended too soon.

"Mercy means that we soften ever so slightly, so that we don't have to condemn others for being total shits, although they may be that. (Okay: are.) p11-12

"Kindness toward others and radical kindness to ourselves buy us a shot at a warm and generous heart, which is the greatest prize of all. Do you want this, or do you want to be right? Well, can I get back to you on that?" p12

"The point of life, a friend said, is not staying alive, but staying in love..." p67

"As well as we know our grown children and relatives, we don't know how much energy they have to put into simply keeping their lives together at all. We try to come from a place of mercy because it is a good practice; no one is very good at it, especially when someone doesn't deserve it and knows exactly which of our buttons to push." p73

"This is part of the mystery, that the humane, humanity, human bodies, are where we experience transcendence and God, restoration, the inclination to serve those who are suffering." p120

"Forgiving ratfinks who have betrayed a beloved, let alone forgiving our won disappointing self, is grad school. Without these studies we live so small." p142 ( )

I really liked parts of this. I just wanted Lamott to elaborate more. I would have love it if this was twice as long! ( )

This book just wasn’t what I was expecting. I find no need for her to talk about the verse, “Jesus wept” and compare it to, “Jesus was pissed”. Also her talking about buying an $84 blouse. Really? This is a book about mercy and kindness? Certainly not my cup of tea. I seriously doubt I will waste my time when there are lots of other great Christian authors. ( )

I have generally liked Lamott's books and liked this one. Her reasoning and examples fit her theme well and the book makes a good case for loving, caring, compassion and empathy, the building blocks of mercy.
Still, there wasn't a lot of substance. She made her point, applied it to various situations and traced sources for the mercies she had experienced in her own formation, but in the end, the point is rather straightforward and probably didn't need so many pages to get the point made. It is an enjoyable read, but not as enjoyable or as satisfying as are her other books. ( )