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lbcaterson's review against another edition
5.0
This book was recommended by a number of friends of mine when it first came out, all of us knew the author, and I mistakenly assumed that they were recommending I read it because we all knew Marlena. However, I see now that they were suggesting it because it's a book worth reading.
I had to pause a lot while reading this, to ponder and mull over what was said, often times because she put something into words that I have long thought, but was unable to capture.
This book was simply wonderful. I don't really know how to describe how much I enjoyed this book, words are failing me miserably at the moment. This is a beautiful, soul enriching, and amazing book.
Just. Read. It.
I had to pause a lot while reading this, to ponder and mull over what was said, often times because she put something into words that I have long thought, but was unable to capture.
This book was simply wonderful. I don't really know how to describe how much I enjoyed this book, words are failing me miserably at the moment. This is a beautiful, soul enriching, and amazing book.
Just. Read. It.
kristenshep's review against another edition
1.0
The concept of the book is unique and thought-provoking. The author grew up in poverty with a mentally ill father. She's experienced a great deal of suffering from a very young age. In the book she weaves in her own "desert experiences" with those of Biblical people and the early church. She talks about the ways that God uses desert experiences to refine us. Without being pedantic, she encourages the disciplines of prayer, solitude, and community -- so important while we are in the desert. As I said, it is a great concept. But after I read it, I was really depressed. In my opinion, there are better books on suffering.
karibaumann's review against another edition
2.0
Marlena Graves grew up with an alcoholic, mentally ill father which has helped her to see how God is present in the wilderness. She writes about different ways that God has spoken or moved in her life in the wilderness and testifies to the faithfulness of God using scripture and examples from her own life and others. I found the first half of the book to be slow and I couldn’t tell where she was going or understand what point she was making. The book picked up about halfway through, but even so, I wished there had been a stronger structure on which to hang the book, because the wilderness metaphor did not seem quite right for a lot of her stories. In the end, it didn’t feel a lot different than other books that I have read about trusting God in difficult times. I saw so many good things online about this one, but I have to say it didn’t work for me.
cordiallybarbara's review against another edition
4.0
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, A Beautiful Disaster by Marlena Groves is yogurt with honey. It's a balm to the acidic and revolting stomach (acid reflux, anyone?).
This book refreshed me with that author's sharing of her wilderness experience. I was encouraged.
Hard times don't have to be isolated and a lonely experience.
This book refreshed me with that author's sharing of her wilderness experience. I was encouraged.
Hard times don't have to be isolated and a lonely experience.
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