A review by josiahdegraaf
The Violent Bear It Away by Flannery O'Connor

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

While I've very much enjoyed many of O'Connor's short stories, I've struggled with her novels. But I think I've read enough of her at this point to understand enough of how she uniquely frames stories to "get" this one. It's weird, it's dark, and it's definitely subversive. But as a darkly twisted (but earnest) angle at how God's calling can take a hold on our life in very real and meaningful ways (despite how ridiculous it can seem at times), this book left me with a lot to reflect on.

Rating: 3.5-4 Stars (Good).