Telling Secrets

Devoured this book on a flight home. What a powerful example of how sharing our stories brings us deeper healing and closer to the heart God.

A father's suicide and a daughter's anorexia exemplify the sort of secret that radically modifies an individual and, in turn, can be modified by being told. The fiction of noted theologian/novelist Buechner ( A Long Day's Dying, LJ 1/1/50) has been called "psychological." His nonfiction, too (including Whistling in the Dark, LJ 7/88) explores his comprehension of the soul rather than exhorting. This slim memoir does well what Buechner has become noted for doing: showing with subtlety the stark nature of being one thinking being among many. His prescription for the church to look at Alcoholics Anonymous for a modern model is compelling.

quite, quite interesting and very quick to read. I'm going to read all his other stuff now too.