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susanmcswain's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot put into words what a huge and timely gift this book was to me.
abalakumaran's review against another edition
5.0
An honest portrayal of the joys and sorrows of radical hospitality and the benefits and costs to the author and his family. Inspiring for all who wonder about living lives of radical hospitality but shirk away due to familial and societal pressures and expectations. Wonderfully written with powerful stories.
kcrouth's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a collection of anecdotes and meditations based on the experiences of the author in his founding and leadership role in Rutba House, a hospitality house located in the Walltown neighborhood of Durham NC. A hospitality house is a place that offers friendship, food and shelter, and most importantly, love, to anyone who knocks at the door. The personal stories of the Rutba House family are moving and inspiring, and offer a deeper perspective into my neighbors here in Durham. This book is a very worthy read, which can't help but leaving the reader asking ways they can open the door to the folks around them, and in so doing be changed for the better. The chapter "Fire in my Bones" is especially compelling and moving, and shows how little i understand of those living so close by. But the entire book opens the reader's perspective, and offers a glimpse into our brothers and sisters, and of the political and religious systems which are largely failing them. This book resonates well with the previous book i read - Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn - which gave a detailed and intimate view into the life of a young African American man and his family as he grew up in the pre-civil rights period in the U.S.
leevoncarbon's review against another edition
4.0
This book teaches not through social or political theory or analysis of biblical texts, but through stories. It is such a simple plan: identify yourself as a hospitality house, open your door to whoever knocks, and believe that Jesus accompanies every guest. The neighbourhood in which the author and his wife chose to live means that most of their guests come with all sorts of brokenness but one of the startling things is how the grace of God remains evident in the darkest places, how it is the well ordered together people who often have the most to learn, and how love never fails to make a difference. There is no idealism in this book. Dostoevsky is quoted knowingly at the end of the book: "Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams". It is hard for me to imagine my wife and I moving into a troubled neighbourhood, but I can imagine us opening the door of the house where we live a little more readily.
sde's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very fast read despite the topic - a white, college-educated couple moves to a rough neighborhood in Durham, NC and open a hospitality house. I felt the story was honest enough about showing the author's foibles, yet was upbeat without being sanctimonious.
However, there is so much more I want to know. How do he and his family make money? How does he deal with the fact that possible criminals are living in the house with his kids? I wanted more of the troubles described. It seemed a bit too easy in the book, which I am sure it is not. Mostly, I want to know how he deals with his faith and keeps going with this endeavor when I am sure he faces all sorts of trials and doubts.
However, there is so much more I want to know. How do he and his family make money? How does he deal with the fact that possible criminals are living in the house with his kids? I wanted more of the troubles described. It seemed a bit too easy in the book, which I am sure it is not. Mostly, I want to know how he deals with his faith and keeps going with this endeavor when I am sure he faces all sorts of trials and doubts.
misslupinelady's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
natattack51's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about seeing Jesus in the stranger. I love the stories of learning and listening from one another, living in grace and redemption together and understanding and working towards justice together. This is an important book. Read it.
voya_k's review against another edition
3.0
I worked with homeless folks at my library for 9 years without knowing what Wilson-Hartgrove was up to at RutBa House in my town. I actually read this book to see if I recognized anybody. While I couldn't clock any specific folks, I definitely recognized our community in these pages.