Rococo, an infrequently encountered word describing a
very ornate, 18th-century French art style, has just received a major
makeover --- and all thanks to Virginia native Adriana Trigiani. Best known
for her Big Stone Gap trilogy, Trigiani chose Rococo as the title of her
latest novel, thus familiarizing millions of readers with the term. This
time, however, the setting is a far cry from the heart of the Virginia
mountains; it takes place in the fictional coastal borough of Our Lady of
Fatima, New Jersey.
Narrator Bartolomeo, known simply as B to his family,
friends, and clients, is a 40-year-old Italian-American bachelor with two
passions in life: his work as an interior decorator and the Roman Catholic
Church. Naturally, when it comes time for his place of worship to undergo
its first major renovation and redecoration in 100 years, he sees only one
man for the job: himself. The novel follows B through the entire process of
the renovation, beginning with convincing the uptight Father Porporino that
he truly has what it takes to conquer this massive task, to the first
wedding and christening that take place in the newly updated church.
Where Trigiani truly shines in Rococo is through her
characters. As she demonstrated in her previous novels, she has a knack for
weaving a mosaic of brilliant and memorable small-town individuals and
capturing a completely believable family dynamic. Particularly likeable
characters include: B�s older sister, Toot (as in a tootsie roll, not the
sound of a horn), a loving but unhappy woman still feeling the effects of
her 13-year-old divorce; Aurelia Mandelbaum, a wealthy and powerful woman
determined to see B wed Capri, her daughter and his lifelong platonic
friend; Rufus McSherry, a handsome Irish artist who knocks women off their
feet with his good looks while assisting B in the renovation; and Christina,
B�s lovely but recently widowed cousin.
Despite all of the novel's wonderful attributes, I have
one minor criticism: that while the characters are quite strong, the plot
is, at times, somewhat predictable, and occasionally resorts to unlikely
coincidences to tie the story together.
Nevertheless, from the first page on, readers of Rococo
will know that they are in for a treat with Adriana Trigiani�s special
gift of storytelling in this near-perfect beach read.
Prayer is a very personal act, whether done alone, or
as part of a large body of worshippers. One person�s inspiration can be
another�s irritation. In addition, public prayers, like speeches, are made
and meant to inspire through the ear, not the eye. So it�s always a gamble
to publish in book form prayers that must then grab the spirit through cold
typography, rather than a warm human voice.
Stepping into this dicey territory is a master
wordsmith and distinguished theologian, John Killinger, who lives with his
wife in electric cooperative territory on the outskirts of Warrenton near
the Blue Ridge Mountains. In both Lost in Wonder and Enter Every Trembling
Heart, Dr. Killinger manages to bridge that gap between sound and sight, as
well as the one that sometimes exists between people of different faiths, or
between the literature of the sacred and the secular.
In short, Dr. Killinger�s words inspire, uplift and
illuminate the spiritual realm in a magical way that should appeal to people
of all faiths, or even none at all. He draws the more than 300 prayers
featured in each book from his tenure as a minister at three very different
congregations, one in Los Angeles, one on Mackinac Island, Michigan, as well
as the First Presbyterian Church in our very own Lynchburg.
If you even occasionally must lead a group in prayer,
if you desire a dose of eloquent spirituality at bedtime or any time, or you
just appreciate the power and the glory of the English language exercised by
a master, you�ll no doubt enjoy either or both of these volumes. Enter
Every Trembling Heart has the advantage of also containing an epilogue in
the form of a psalm that beautifully and powerfully addresses the tragic
events of Sept. 11, 2001.
In one of the calls to worship published in Enter
Every, Dr. Killinger writes, �The chimes call us to another dimension of
our own reality, from the world of work and leisure, travel and
responsibility, holiday and home, to a world of spirit, of prayer and the
inner self, of transcendence and holiness. It is not always easy to enter
this new dimension, or to remain there with concentration when we have
accomplished the entrance. But it is always worth it, for it returns us to
the former dimension with new hope and vision and centeredness.� Entering
another dimension, and returning refreshed and centered, is likely how
you�ll feel after reading the powerful poetry of this �master pastor.�
In his latest book, Winter Soulstice, Dr. Killinger
writes an intensely autobiographical account of his life, from childhood
tragedies to his experience leading churches, to his beliefs and ideas, to
his favorite authors, and to how in his older age he has come to celebrate
�the spirituality of the wisdom years.� His vivid yet approachable
writing style propels the reader through the book, which is a compelling
account of a minister who has seemingly worked hard, as a former pastor of
mine would say, to �comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.�
His insights are fascinating, his duels with
theological rivals riveting, and his accounts of his spiritual journey are
surely of interest to those who have gone down similar roads. But be aware
that this is the account of a minister who labors in the tradition of
liberal Protestantism, both politically and socially. With bracing intensity
and honesty, he shares his views, both of the spiritual world and also of
this world, including a frank chapter on human sexuality that may offend
some readers.
This is the first-person story of a churchman reveling
in, and reflecting upon, a life of service and sacrifice, in the autumn of
his life. At the book�s end, he writes, �I am totally convinced of the
ultimate spirituality of life itself � that we live and move and have our
being in God, even when we are unaware that we�re doing it. And part of
the spirituality of our elder years has to do with an increasing recognition
of this. I am sure this is why I am so happy to be in the latter period of
my life, when I can see everything coming together so beautifully.�
For theological liberals, or anyone who loves life
stories painted in rich hues, the book will be like a fireside chat with an
old friend. And for theological conservatives, the book will be a powerful,
provocative and at times perplexing look at another piece of the richly
diverse tapestry of the American religious experience.
