A capacious, satisfying volume of poetry.
A debut collection of poetry delivers prayers, praise, and much more.
From its title, readers might assume that Champion’s verse collection is purely devotional—a compendium of poems about religious life. And the author certainly plays well in that key, crafting many poignant testimonies to the power of belief. Her spiritual poems often take Bible verses as their starting points and reflect on the wisdom of Scripture. So “Trapped” builds on the work of the psalmist, who writes in the 40th chapter of that book: “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.” Champion expands on this hopeful promise: “Have you ever been trapped, just feeling so weary? / Depression will make you burst / Have you ever known someone whom you loved dearly? / Who no longer has your trust….There is a way out, but you have to shout / Lord, I can’t do this alone!” In this and other pieces, the author updates the biblical message, rendering it in an approachable vernacular—sometimes in rhyme and sometimes not—that welcomes readers in. But the great joy of this rewarding volume is that it engages a host of other themes too. Champion seems to realize that faith is one part of a life fully lived, and her collection tries to capture a wide cross section of such an existence. So there are poems here about Earth, the delight of children, and lost loved ones. One topic in particular that she returns to again and again is Africa, where the poet spent much of her life. She has fond memories of her former home, and she waxes lyrical when writing about it: “I returned to South Africa / Land of dreams, and streams, and stunning sunsets / Horizons which stretch to infinity / Where oceans meet, and collide / In which dolphins play and then hide.” Such poems show Champion’s dexterity and prove that she can write well in a variety of modes.
A capacious, satisfying volume of poetry.Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5434-8815-9
Page Count: 200
Publisher: XlibrisUK
Review Posted Online: Aug. 23, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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