A Crazy, Holy Grace: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory by Frederick Buechner

A Crazy, Holy Grace: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory by Frederick Buechner is a compilation of Essays that will help the reader get a better understanding of the purpose of memory and grief.  Drawing from his own experiences of grief, death and suicide, the author helps the reader look at grief and memory in a whole new light.  This complex book is something that requires time to digest and absorb.  The surreal message is both human and spiritually obtained at the same time.  Buechner puts into voice, a message that is relatable on a personal level but inspired by the Holy Spirit as well.  What looks like a relatively simple exercise of remembering and pondering the past , is capable of bringing about lifelong growth simply by paying more attention to the everyday world that surrounds us.  This book is like a psychological exercise that Buechner conducts to facilitate the healing process of complicated grief. He brings back his dead loved ones into a special, designated safe area and has the conversations within his mind that he was unable to have in life.  The work of grief and healing is accomplished through these fictitious mental conversations. The reader can follow this inward journey that takes incredible courage to share with the world. This book is a retreat into the mind of the author.  It is a spiritual and dreamlike journey. 

  This book is suitable for more experienced believers who wish to fine tune their faith as well as skeptics and agnostics who are seeking truth and meaning and healing. The author brings light to topics that are normally hidden and seen as taboo.  This book is a source of relief and comfort to all who take the time to read and reflect on its message.  If you take the time to read this book and think about the message, not only will you make a connection but you too may find the healing you seek.  This book was not what I expected, but I am glad I took the time to read it as it can be a life changer. As a blogger I received a copy of this book published by Zondervan for the purpose of writing this review.