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oschrock's review against another edition
5.0
In the preface to this book, Wilson writes, “What excuses can I possibly make for this book? ...I do not (to my knowledge) have a diseased brain…” Of course, as we later found out, Wilson was in fact suffering from a brain tumor. What bothers me is that I do not (to my knowledge) have a diseased brain, and so what excuses can I possibly make for enjoying this book so much?
This is a very “abnormal” book dealing with the problems of evil and suffering in a world governed by a Holy and Sovereign God. The book needs to be read as a whole; it is basically impossible to pick out little nuggets of quotable truths throughout, but the sum total of the book is very powerful.
This is a very “abnormal” book dealing with the problems of evil and suffering in a world governed by a Holy and Sovereign God. The book needs to be read as a whole; it is basically impossible to pick out little nuggets of quotable truths throughout, but the sum total of the book is very powerful.
allisonjpmiller's review
5.0
"You have to read this," I keep telling friends. "What's it about?" they inevitably ask.
Difficult question. "Everything" has become my default response. This book is about life, death, the cosmos, God, people, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, quarks, thunderstorms – everything. It's about the utterly bizarre world gravity anchors our feet to every morning. And it's crazy beautiful.
On several occasions, I would finish a passage, set the book down, and breathe in something akin to fresh air. I felt like I could see again.
Difficult question. "Everything" has become my default response. This book is about life, death, the cosmos, God, people, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, quarks, thunderstorms – everything. It's about the utterly bizarre world gravity anchors our feet to every morning. And it's crazy beautiful.
On several occasions, I would finish a passage, set the book down, and breathe in something akin to fresh air. I felt like I could see again.
sydneyjacques's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't love it quite as much as Death by Living, but that doesn't really mean anything because it was still incredible and beautiful and sparkly.
kbratten's review
3.0
I quite enjoyed Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl. There's not a lot to it, so don't expect profundity or plot. But Wilson's ruminations on life and the world are genuinely pleasant. Quick read, recommendable.
audreywright's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
My all-time favorite book. It is equal parts philosophical, poetic, theological, and humorous. It truly changed my perspective on life. It is a grounding book, providing comfort while also challenging the reader's perception of the world around them.
shortthoughts's review
4.0
Outstanding. It is a shame we don't have more books of this sort published today. Wilson has his own voice that probably doesn't appeal to everyone. He doesn't give the impression that he is trying to impress. Rather, he writes it like he sees it and, for a while, you want to see through those eyes as well. Again, probably not appealing to everyone, but I recommend it.
nickjonesreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit that I started off slightly annoyed with this book. Perhaps it was because the stupid US Postal Service torqued the package in such a way as to rip an inch long gash in my book half way down the spine. No fault of Wilson's that. Perhaps I didn't get the vibe of the book right away because it came around the time my second daughter was born and I wasn't quite in the right mood. Whatever, it grew on me quickly.
Imagine that you are conversing with a philosophically minded well-read poet with a British sense of humor and enough confidence in his faith to think irreverent thoughts with the ultimate goal of holy reverence. Imagine a Christian book that uses occasional "off-color" language and references songs like "The Bad Touch" by the Bloodhound Gang. Imagine that a writer could take you on a tilt-a-whirl ride through the seasons, describing each as he lives it in order to reflect on what kind of world this really is. Imagine that and you might just imagine this book.
In many ways N.D. Wilson seems like a kindred spirit (though I don't pretend to have his talent or knack for wordplay). I guess it's his sense of humor, his understated or flippant comments in which you better know what he's referencing because he's sure as heck isn't going to tell you. I love the fact that he is able to tackle topics that normally get treated with dust dry prose and copious footnote with style and panache. I mean, when was the last time you read a Christian book and thought: "Wow. This is really artistic. This is well-crafted!"
I loved it and highly recommend it!
Imagine that you are conversing with a philosophically minded well-read poet with a British sense of humor and enough confidence in his faith to think irreverent thoughts with the ultimate goal of holy reverence. Imagine a Christian book that uses occasional "off-color" language and references songs like "The Bad Touch" by the Bloodhound Gang. Imagine that a writer could take you on a tilt-a-whirl ride through the seasons, describing each as he lives it in order to reflect on what kind of world this really is. Imagine that and you might just imagine this book.
In many ways N.D. Wilson seems like a kindred spirit (though I don't pretend to have his talent or knack for wordplay). I guess it's his sense of humor, his understated or flippant comments in which you better know what he's referencing because he's sure as heck isn't going to tell you. I love the fact that he is able to tackle topics that normally get treated with dust dry prose and copious footnote with style and panache. I mean, when was the last time you read a Christian book and thought: "Wow. This is really artistic. This is well-crafted!"
I loved it and highly recommend it!
scottacorbin's review
4.0
This book was great. I really, really enjoyed it. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I read it over the course of about 2 months picking it up and putting it down intermittently between all of the Nazism and Christianity books I've been reading. I think, however, this book is best read over the course of a day or two to really get a grasp of his style.
Wilson is a fantastic writer and this book is truly unlike anything I've read in a while. Recommended.
Wilson is a fantastic writer and this book is truly unlike anything I've read in a while. Recommended.