Terrible Hunger
I remember reading a G.K. Chesterton quote: ‘Every man who ever entered a brothel went there looking for God.’ His point is, we’re looking in vain for something to satisfy this terrible hunger in us, and so often we go looking in the wrong places. Well, to borrow Chesterton’s idea, no man ever opened a book or walked into a movie theater who wasn’t looking for God. We’re drawn to stories, to songs, to paintings, buildings, faces, feasts, and laughter because they remind us of the world that was, and the world to come. The art itself is only a window. Beauty can’t satisfy; only Christ, the source of it, can.
North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson
His voice was like thunder now. “You put your characters through hell. You put them through hell. That’s the only way we change.” – Donald Miller quoting Robert McKee
My affection for Andrew Peterson is deep and longstanding. It is nearly impossible for me not to love anything the man sets forth to do. Still, I mainly know him in the context of his music. I have read many of his jaw-droppingly insightful journal entries, but wasn’t sure how this would translate into full-fledged fiction novels. For all I knew, this would be like watching Michael Jordan attempt to play baseball.I’m happy to report that his books are just as good. They are just as good because Peterson is a master storyteller. Whether it be songs or books, he is one of the most gifted people I know at putting things into words.
Peterson weaves a delightful tale of mystery, surprise, adventure, suspense, secrets and intrigue. The pacing was great. The character development was (literally) other-worldly. The imaginative genius behind it all is hard to fathom. The story can’t help but make the reader want to be more courageous. The ending is so beautiful, it can make you cry. I’m still shaking my head as to how he came up with all this.
Initially, I was afraid of getting lost in the fantasy world which Peterson creates. Like an N64 controller, I feared that the names of the characters, creatures and places would get too complicated. I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep things straight.
These fears quickly diminished as I got lost in a good way. Peterson paints this fantasy world of Aerwiar so clearly, it seems as if it isn’t a fantasy world at all. It felt as real as this keypad upon my fingers. The characters’ inner worlds are described in such detail, it’s hard to remember that they are fictional. I got to know the Igiby family so well, I felt like a hidden member. Not only that, but I developed a sincere fondness for all of them. I dare say that I even started to love them.
I often found myself trying to guess what would happen next. Thankfully, I was hardly ever right. Each chapter ended with a wonderful cliffhanger and I couldn’t wait to find out for myself the answers to the very questions the main character Janner was asking himself.
Apart from trying to figure out what on Aerwiar was going on, Janner was asking himself questions about his very nature. Who am I? What am I made of? Do I have what it takes to fulfill my unique calling? Can I satisfy what life is demanding of me?
I went through so much with this family, I couldn’t help but feel as though I grew with them. I don’t know what Peterson’s goals were in writing these books, but I can’t think of a better measure of success.
Rating: 5/5. The book starts off a bit slow, but gets better with every page.
Please note: This book is the second in what could be a 3 or 5-part series. I would not recommend reading this if you have not read “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness“. There is too much development and background that you will have missed out on. Both books are approximately 300 pages. The back cover lists this book as “Young Adult”, but the books are for readers of all ages. The exception would be young children prone to nightmares. Parts of these books are quite grim.
For more information on this series, visit The Wingfeather Saga Online.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. To purchase this book on Amazon, click here.
Reaching for the Invisible God
To say that God is invisible is to walk around with your eyes closed. One of my favorite quotes from the 19th century Scottish novelist George MacDonald is this: “The world is full of resurrections. Every night that folds us up in darkness is a death; and those of you that have been out early, and have seen the first of the dawn, will know it–the day rises out of the night like a being that has burst its tomb and escaped into life.”
McDonald had his eyes open. And yet, there are times when our eyes are peeled and as hard as we try we can’t see a trace of Him or what we see of Him we don’t understand or like very much for that matter. But He hides Himself in stories and in the turn of seasons. He cloaks Himself in flower pedals and in stars and laughter and lightning and music. All because He is merciful. If He tore back the curtain and revealed Himself fully to us, in our current state, we would burn to a crisp. He is preparing us for the final vision, but until then, there is much to see.
- Andrew Peterson on his new song “Invisible God” which was partially inspired by the book “Reaching for the Invisible God” by Philip Yancey.
More
“Why do I have 3 Superbowl rings and still think there is something greater out there for me? I think, ‘God! There has to be more than this.’” – Tom Brady on 60 minutes.
This is not the end here at this grave
This is just a hole that someone made
Every hole was made to fill
And every heart can feel it still–
Our nature hates a vacuum
“It felt big. It felt lonely and big. You’re in a hotel and you’re like, okay well, I’m sitting in this big suite with an Oscar, and I still don’t have a life. What is wrong with me?” – Nicole Kidman reflecting on the night she won her 2003 Best Actress Oscar
This is not the hardest part of all
This is just the seed that has to fall
All our lives we till the ground
Until we lay our sorrows down
And watch the sky for rain
“I try to fill the emptiness deep inside me with Cheetos, but I am still depressed. Only now my fingers are stained orange. I am blue. And I am orange.” – Karen Salmansohn, Author
There is more
More than all this pain
More than all the falling down
And the getting up again
There is more
More than we can see
From our tiny vantage point
In this vast eternity
“I thought to myself, ‘Is that it?’” – Trot Nixon after winning the 2004 World Series
A thing resounds when it rings true
Ringing all the bells inside of you
Like a golden sky on a summer eve
Your heart is tugging at your sleeve
And you cannot say why
There must be more
“I am seriously hurting over a recent breakup… I feel empty. I feel sad, and angry. I’m not feeling happy whatsoever. My life is at a very positive point right now. Things are going well for me. But I don’t want to continue to succeed alone. I can’t even think of my interests at this point to even keep me busy, I feel somewhat desperate… any advice?” – Brighteyes Yahoo! Answers post
There is more
More than we can stand
Standing in the glory
Of a love that never ends
There is more
More than we can guess
More and more, forever more
And not a second less
“I tried everything. Parties, women, buying expensive jewelry and gadgets, and nothing helped. There was no peace. I had everything the world has to offer, but no peace, no joy, just emptiness inside.” – Deion “Prime Time” Sanders
There is more than what the naked eye can see
Clothing all our days with mystery
Watching over everything
Wilder than our wildest dreams
Could ever dream to be
There is more…
(Words in Italics are lyrics to the song “More” by Andrew Peterson and Pierce Pettis.)
