Hardboiled and Hard Luck

Book Description

In cherished novels such as Kitchen and Goodbye Tsugumi, Banana Yoshimoto’s warm, witty, and heartfelt depictions of the lives of young Japanese have earned her international acclaim and best-seller status. Her insightful, spare vision returns in two novellas possessed by the ghosts of love found and lost. In Hardboiled, the unnamed narrator is hiking in the mountains on an anniversary she has forgotten about, the anniversary of her ex-lover’s death. As she nears her hotel—stopping on the way at a hillside shrine and a strange soba shop—a sense of haunting falls over her. Perhaps these eerie events will help her make peace with her loss. Hard Luck is about another young woman, whose sister is dying and lies in a coma. Kuni’s fiancé left her after the accident, but his brother Sakai continues to visit, and the two of them gradually grow closer as they make peace with the impending loss of their loved one. Yoshimoto’s voice is clear, assured, and deeply moving, displaying again why she is one of Japan’s, and the world’s, most beloved writers.

Customer Reviews:

Bananamania continues.......2005-09-09

I can only say that these two stories are up to par with Banana's older books like Kitchen. Just read it.

Of Stone and Fruit.......2005-08-29

I have been a fan of Yoshimoto's body of work since 2001. After reading her debut novella Kitchen, I read her other translated works: N.P., Lizard, Amrita, Asleep, and Goodbye Tsugumi. While by far not my favorite Yoshimoto work, Hardboiled and Hard Luck is a decent work that includes a number of themes that are present in almost every Yoshimoto novel: memory, death, and the precious moments of life which deeply root themselves into our hearts.

The narrator of Hardboiled is a young woman traveling on her own through Japan's countryside. One day while walking upon a little used road the young woman comes across an old, dilapidated shrine where ten black stones are placed in a circle. Feeling an ominous air emanating from the stones, the young woman hurries back to town. However, inside an Udon noodle shop the woman finds one of the stones in one of her pockets. Later, she discovers that another one of the stones was used to build the bath within the inn in which she is staying for the night. At first she is unsure of why such odd things are happening to her, but soon it dawns on her that on the same date a year ago her friend and ex-lover Chizuru had died. Similar to the works of Murakami Haruki, it is not impossible to make amends with the dead in Yoshimoto's literary world.

Hard Luck details the final days that the nameless narrator spends with both her brain dead sister and her fiancé's older brother. In my opinion the more powerful of the two short novellas, Yoshimoto creates a gentle, delicate work that details not only the emotions of losing someone close, but the healing process one goes through when a family member who has suffered long is about to die.

Yoshimoto has often been criticized as a writer of fluff fiction, however, while she may not be in the same realm as Oe Kenzaburo or Takahashi Takako it does not mean that she does not bring something important to the world of Japanese Literature. Through her simple words, Yoshimoto can touch the hearts of readers. Something that a number of more literary writers are unable to do.

When death comes along.......2005-08-21

Yoshitmoto's new book (actually composed of two short stories) is about the human reaction when death comes along. It reveals our weakness to reject it and the urge for bravery and perspective to deal with it, as a living human being.

In the first short story, 'Hardboiled', the narrator went to stay in a country hotel on the anniversary of her ex-girlfriend's death. The narrative is interesting as the living and the dead are all woven together in the plot. Perhaps, it is really hard to distinguish who is living, or non-living (dead and non-living are different, in a metaphorical sense). There's a particularly interesting, which is about that it is not the dead that we should be afraid of, but the living. The story talks about the pain of losing a partner and the nostalgia of their romance.

In the second story, 'Hard Luck', another narrator has a sister who is going to die of a brain damage. This story is not as gothic as the first one and the suspense created by the notion of death is absent. Instead, it gives you a sweet account of the sisterhood between the living and the dead-to-be. There is also a romantic subplot in the story, between the narrator and the brother of her sister's fiance. The last chapter on the relationship between musical enlightenment and death sounds familiar in Haruki Murakami's fiction, especially in Kafka on the Shore and Dance Dance Dance.

The stories are written in plain English. There's no fancy description on the setting and the psychology of the characters. But the plainness works effectively in order to bring out the theme, death. There are a few regrets upon reading the book. First, I was expecting Yoshimoto to explore the theme of lesbianism or sexuality a bit more in the first story, as she did in Kitchen. I was trying to compare it with Murakami's Spunik Sweetheart. Second, I was looking for a more substantial work since her last publication. The stories are just too short to satisfy her readers. Perhaps, she might have published more in Japanese. I always don't know why the English version needs to take so long. Or are they not translating all her works?

I Was Hoping For More.......2005-07-19

I am a big fan of Ms. Yoshimoto's work. Her ability to evoke a spiritualism in a modern Asian context is fascinating to me. And her prose has a gentleness even in the face of stories of tragedy that I find soothing.

So it is with the two stories in this volume. In "Hardboiled" we have a young woman hiking and spending the night in a hotel on the anniversary of a friend/former lover's death. In the hotel she dreams of her friend and encounters the ghost of another woman who has committed suicide in the hotel. In "Hard Luck" we have a young woman whose sister is dying in a hospital because of an embolism and she is about to be taken off life support. In the course of the vigil and through the funeral she encounters the brother of her dead sister's fiancé and feels the first stirrings of love--the realization that life must go on.

Of course, my summaries do not do these stories justice. As always, Ms. Yoshimoto has produced simple, yet beautiful and truthful stories. My complaint is the dearth of text here. Almost all of Ms. Yoshimoto's books are brief but it amazes me the publishers had the nerve to put these two stories between hardcovers and price them what they did. Another couple stories of this caliber would have made it much more worthwhile. It's difficult not to feel you're getting a bit cheated.

Average customer rating:

Hardboiled / Hard Luck
Banana Yoshimoto
Manufacturer: Faber and Faber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0571227821

Average customer rating:

Hardboiled and Hard Luck
Banana Yoshimoto
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N77R6U

Customer Reviews:

Ever Faithful Lady; Love and Torment Abound .......2005-04-02

It is rare to find a novel so full of surprises. I was constantly on the edge wondering how each turn of events would go. How could it end happy for this young woman so faithful and in love with a man eight years older than herself? Only eight years older you say but the chasm between a 12 year old and 20 year old is very deep indeed! Yes, Lady Catherine Cahill (Kitty) fell in love for the first and only time with Lionel Eden, Viscount Benning on that fateful day in December, 1811. Her family had gathered at their cousin's large estate as did the rest of the relatives of the Duke and Duchess of Wynn. Lionel of course saw her only as the young sister of his friend Emery and called her Miss Kittycat. He was much more interested in her older sister Millicent! Kitty managed to thwart Lionel's rather innocent flirtations with women closer to his own age (and adulthood!) during that momentous Christmas and in some later meetings also. But as they part, she with her family to Devon and he to go back to the Jamaican plantation he ran for his uncle, she tells him urgently "Wait for me! I'll grow up as fast as I can, and you must wait for me! I love you!"

It was three long years before they met again. Kitty spent her time dreaming and hoping to mature. Lion (as Kitty called him) also spent his time maturing and missing England, remembering all his friends and relatives with fondness. Kitty was taken under the wings of the Dowager Duchess of Wynn and though still very young became more fashionable and savvy due to her influence. After seeing Kitty's reaction to Lion during this time, the dowager calls her Lady Lochinvar after a faithful knight (named Lochinvar) in a Sir Walter Scott poem (Marmion). She had noticed Kitty's preferences in 1811 and can hardly believe the steadfastness of the young woman. Lion notices her this time also. She is still much too young and he is not ready to think about marriage but being a good friend of Kitty's brother, Lion is able to ride with Kitty and they enjoy each other's company. He confesses his dislike of the life in Jamaica and Kitty convinces him to pay attention to his own small estate and make that profitable. There are some other interesting events during this interlude which weave together for an amazing story.

But Kitty and her family go back to the country for Millicent's wedding (Kitty managed to make sure she was engaged BEFORE Lion returned to England), and then Lionel goes back to Jamaica to inform his aunt and uncle of his new plans for life in England. By the time he returns, Kitty is almost 17. The dowager invites her to London to begin her come-out. Also to tell her some horrible news. Lionel is engaged. He is lost to Kitty forever. Kitty does meet with Lionel one last time on his estate, pouring out her heart, informing him what she has lost by his engagement and that she will love him forever. The remainder of the book deals with the torment and hopelessness that follows Kitty as she endures her season. She is lovely and her seemingly disinterest of men leads them to swarm to her. She is poised but reckless and Lion tries to dissuade her from marriage to an unsuitable man. "Since I shall never love anyone again, why shouldn't I marry where I please?" she tells him. How can this book achieve the requisite happy ending? Will she marry the reckless earl with a bad reputation? Can she survive Lion's marriage to a woman Kitty actually likes? Or does fate intervene in mysterious ways? Even though this review is long, it does not bear justice to this book. There are many twists, turns and many absolutely wonderful characters to meet including all of Kitty's family and some of Lionel's friends. A must read and a keeper. You will enjoy this book immensely!

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Lady at Risk (Signet Regency Romance)
Barbara Hazard
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

Signet Regency Romance | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books

Regency | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451182049

The Lady's Hazard (Harlequin Historical Series)

Average customer rating:

not Ms. Jarrett's best....
terrific Regency romance

The Lady's Hazard (Harlequin Historical Series)
Miranda Jarrett
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Harlequin Historicals | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
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Never Seduce a Scoundrel (The School for Heiresses, Book 1)

ASIN: 0373293798

Customer Reviews:

not Ms. Jarrett's best...........2007-07-11

This is the second Harlequin Historical I've tried by Miranda Jarrett. Sadly-these series Historicals fall short of her usual great writing.

The main problem with this book is that the storyline and the behavior of every character is totally implausible for the time period. The characters behave more like people in the modern age and that's not I want in a Historical romance.

I do not recommend this book and would instead recommend some of Ms. Jarrett's other, non Harlequin books.

1.5 stars.

terrific Regency romance .......2005-11-30

In 1805 London, Bethany Penny handles the cooking at her family run gambling spot Penny House, a favorite locale of the Ton. She also feeds the poor who come around for handouts at the back door.

After serving in the Peninsular, William Calloway returns to London a broken soul with a mission. He plans to prove Bethany poisoned members of his regiment. However, not too long after meeting Bethany, William believes she is innocent. Instead of being shocked by his investigation with her as the prime suspect, Bethany joins him. As they work to uncover who the killer is, they begin to fall in love. However though he will die for his Bethany, William has secrets that once revealed will turn his beloved from loving him to loathing him.

THE LADY'S HAZARD is a terrific Regency romance starring a courageous caring female and a somewhat tortured male. Bethany's goodness brings light into William's darkened soul, but apparently not enough as he believes he is not good enough for her. Bethany sees deep into his inner most sanctuary and concludes William is a good person and refuses to accept his denial of her belief. The mystery adds spice to a fine historical making sub-genre fans want more Penny novels.

Harriet Klausner

The Bigger the Better, the Tighter the Sweater: 21 Funny Women on Beauty, Body Image, and Other Hazards of Being Female

Average customer rating:

mixed metaphor, mixed review

The Bigger the Better, the Tighter the Sweater: 21 Funny Women on Beauty, Body Image, and Other Hazards of Being Female

Manufacturer: Seal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Women's Studies | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 158005210X

Book Description

Getting undressed for the dreaded seventh-grade gym class. Feeling fascinated with, yet disgusted by, the fashion magazines full of perfect, unattainable bodies. Enduring the pain of a bikini wax or suffering the ramifications of overplucked brows.
Like all women, the contributors to The Bigger the Better, the Tighter the Sweater have been there and lived to tell the tale. With laugh-out-loud essays on such topics as the hell of puberty; fashion errors and triumphs; rolls, jiggles, and dimples; the positives and pitfalls of cosmetic surgery; and beauty standards across different races and cultures, readers will feel that they are sitting down with their girlfriends for a funny, honest, and thought-provoking conversation about our complex relationships with our bodies.
With smarts, wit, and style, this collection captures the double bind of beauty and body image that women contend with each day.

Customer Reviews:

mixed metaphor, mixed review.......2007-07-10

Reasons for me to read a book: compelling topic, great story, beautiful writing, outrageous humor. I found a bit of each of these qualities in TBTB,TTTS where twenty-one women take on topics that Oprah has yet to deal with. Like Oprah, these women deal with issues of body and health that have the quality of feeling unique to the individual, causing embarassment or pain, yet are shared by many of us. Enfolded in "shared uniqueness" are the seeds of humor. There is something fundamentally funny about discovering we are not alone. That is why we laugh with the women in TBTB,TTTS who dare to share their uniqueness.
I find the sub-title more compelling than the title -- I struggle with the grammar of the first part of the title -- it isn't right and I don't know how to fix it.
Some of the stories feel incomplete. I still don't know what African American boobies are. I missed the point of some -- failing to see a groundbreaking epiphany in a detailed psychotherapy session filled with too many words. On the other hand, Jennifer D. Munro and Patricia Bunin contribute tightly written pieces filled with pathos and humor. They tell me all I need to know, yet leave me wanting to hear more.
TBTB,TTTS has the typical qualities of an anthology -- some stellar pieces and some that feel like padding. The good ones make the book a worthwhile read.

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Dangerous Lady
Barbara Hazard
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 0449216551
Release Date: 1988-07-12

Average customer rating:

Lady Gregory (Irish Writers)
Hazard Adams
Manufacturer: Associated Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Mistresses of the White House;: Narrator's tale of a pageant of First Ladies (Biography index reprint series)

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Mistresses of the White House;: Narrator's tale of a pageant of First Ladies (Biography index reprint series)
Irene (Hazard) Gerlinger
Manufacturer: Books for Libraries Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

6 - JO BEVERLEY - MY LADY NOTORIOUS - HAZARD - DANGEROUS JOY - SOMETHING WICKED - WINTER FIRE - TEMPTING FORTUNE

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6 - JO BEVERLEY - MY LADY NOTORIOUS - HAZARD - DANGEROUS JOY - SOMETHING WICKED - WINTER FIRE - TEMPTING FORTUNE
JO BEVERLEY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000W45YEG

6 - JO BEVERLEY - MY LADY NOTORIOUS - HAZARD - DNAGEROUS JOY - SOMETHING WICKED - WINTER FIRE - TEMPTIMG FORTUNE

Average customer rating:

6 - JO BEVERLEY - MY LADY NOTORIOUS - HAZARD - DNAGEROUS JOY - SOMETHING WICKED - WINTER FIRE - TEMPTIMG FORTUNE
JO BEVERLEY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000W481ZA

DRAGON LADY PRESS. CLASSIC ADVENTURE STRIPS #6. [Rip Kirby, Mandrake, Johnny Hazard]

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DRAGON LADY PRESS. CLASSIC ADVENTURE STRIPS #6. [Rip Kirby, Mandrake, Johnny Hazard]
Alex Raymond
Manufacturer: Dragon Lady Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QSGHRQ

Counter-Clock World
Average customer rating:

Good metaphysics, poor time paradoxes

AN UNTIDY & UNHAPPY ENDING

Once again, Dick questions the nature of reality and our values

Not the very best Philip K. Dick novel, but very interesting and moving.

foody premis, great writing for Dick fans.

Counter-Clock World
Philip K. Dick
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dick, Philip K. | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0375719334
Release Date: 2002-11-12

Book Description

In Counter-Clock World, one of the most theologically probing of all of Dick’s books, the world has entered the Hobart Phase–a vast sidereal process in which time moves in reverse. As a result, libraries are busy eradicating books, copulation signifies the end of pregnancy, people greet with, “Good-bye,” and part with, “Hello,” and underneath the world’s tombstones, the dead are coming back to life. One imminent old-born is Anarch Peak, a vibrant religious leader whose followers continued to flourish long after his death. His return from the dead has such awesome implications that those who apprehend him will very likely be those who control the fate of the world.

Winner of both the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards for best novel, widely regarded as the premiere science fiction writer of his day, and the object of cult-like adoration from his legions of fans, Philip K. Dick has come to be seen in a literary light that defies classification in much the same way as Borges and Calvino. With breathtaking insight, he utilizes vividly unfamiliar worlds to evoke the hauntingly and hilariously familiar in our society and ourselves.

Customer Reviews:

Good metaphysics, poor time paradoxes.......2007-08-21

If someone else had written this book, I would give it 5 stars, but it is not of of Dick's best. This book has some interesting metaphysics, which would figure more in later books. What, if anything, would you learn if you died and came back to life? Especially if you are a major religious leader? As usual the characters are plagued by self doubt and having unsuccessful relationships.

Some parts are funny, such as 'sorghum', being imbibed through pipes and whiskers being plastered at the beginning of the day. I liked the idea of LSD grenades and a region based on a sharing of minds brought about by using a drug called DNT (presumably DMT.)

What bothered me was the lack of consistency in the backwards world and the neglect of detail. What happens if you were cremated not buried? Or died a violent death, your body dismemebered? Why are some things backwards, some not?

AN UNTIDY & UNHAPPY ENDING.......2007-01-06

The rough draft, now called COUNTER CLOCK WORLD, must have lain at the bottom of Dick's manuscript trunk many years. But a lot of deep thoughts, about god and about man's existence, went into writing this novel. Someday in the future, if man ever gets over his petty attitudes toward life, toward what reality is, these scraps could become an important work.

But science has not yet absorbed the significance of nano-scale and pico-scale reality, the tiny seeds from which life springs. Dick's dead characters, born again with the reversal of time, could only report how terribly small they felt while dead. Their deaths had imparted to them a new perspective showing them the huge, immensity of the universe.

As always, Dick transcended common thought. Here he uncovered another zany, hidden world. The dead arising from the grave, babies re-entering the womb, none of this made any sense. But nutty stories were what Dick was all about. What he gave the reader was an opportunity to free him/her self from the reality that tried to imprison Dick within his own mind. Read it!

Once again, Dick questions the nature of reality and our values.......2006-06-02

PKD creates strange "platforms", which allow ideas to be examined from unusual points of view. This novel is no exception.

One question Dick repeatedly asks in this highly unusual novel is: "why do humans make such strong, arbitrary, decisions on what is socially acceptable?"

One example. Why is eating a highly social ritual, yet going to the bathroom causes so much anxiety that we have to hide behind doors (preferably far away from where people are) and generally are afraid to even talk about anything to do with it, including the organs under our underwear?

Dick brilliantly uses the device of time flowing backward to reverse the process of ingestion and excretion to examine this and some characters' feelings towards it as the novel progresses.

Why do we pick 17 years old as an age a woman can cause a date to be (technically) guilty of statuatory rape if her shoes are off, yet at 18 any sexual act imaginable is fine and dandy by the law?

Again, by the reverse time sequence of the novel, such issues can be probed in a very thoughtful manner, without all the emotional baggage they would usually entail.

Brilliant. Weird. Subtle. Riveting. Dark. Philosophy. In short, the classic heart of PKD!

Not the very best Philip K. Dick novel, but very interesting and moving. .......2005-08-10

If you finish the book you will vicariously experience death and rebirth more than once. The quotes from Erigena placed at the head of many chapters guide the reader into a Neo-Platonic world that is explicitly described as fundamental reality later in the book. Quite an experience.

I personally found the play on the library, which is in the reversed-time world of the novel destroying books and knowledge, an interesting comment on Ray Bradbury's basically simple Fahrenheit 451. Bradbury's book was the book of the month here in Los Angeles a few years ago. I would be interested in living in any city that would make Dick's Counter-Clock World as its book of the month. Very.

Read the book.

"-"

foody premis, great writing for Dick fans........2004-08-27

Do you love PKD? Have you read a lot of his books?

If you answered yes then you'll love this. If not I would try one of his more approachable titles first (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, or one of his short-story collections). I would not recommend this to a first time Dick reader; if you don't know what you're getting yourself into you probably will not like it.

With that said, I love PKD, and have read quite a few of his works. I, having been aclimated to his style, found it very enjoyable. The only concerns I have are that some of the ideas, with reguards to the backwards flow of time, are somewhat garbled. A good example is how cigeretts are smoked by inhaling the fumes and blowing into the filter- yet the people still manage to communicate while inhaling. Try it yourself, see it's not so easy. I know it's nit-picky, I can't help it.

All in all a great book for anyone who already enjoys PKD.

Average customer rating:

Counter Clock World 1ST Edition X1372
Philip K Dick
Manufacturer: BERKLEY MEDALLION
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000Q11HHS

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Counter-Clock World
Philip K. Dick
Manufacturer: Berkley Publishing Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O9U2M8

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Counter-Clock World
Philip K. Dick
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000P8JTM2

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Counter-Clock World
Philip K. Dick
Manufacturer: Berkley Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S9M38A

Average customer rating:

Counter-Clock World

Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HWE65G

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Counter-Clock World

Manufacturer: Berkley Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000I76N5G

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Counter-Clock World
Philip K. Dick
Manufacturer: Berkley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MBGU0G

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Counter-clock World

Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000EWUZD6

Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry
Average customer rating:

My Imagination was stirred

Changed my ministry

Great Introduction to God's use of Metaphorical Language

Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry
Warren W. Wiersbe
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ministry | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Preaching | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0801057574
Release Date: 1997-02-01

Book Description

No more dreary three-point sermon outlines! Wiersbe coaches preachers to creatively proclaim the living Word--so hearers experience God's truth changing their lives.

Customer Reviews:

My Imagination was stirred.......2005-09-15

I am raving about Dr. Wiersbe's book. It is the best piece of literature I have ever seen on preaching with your imagination. I thought I had no imagination. Now my imagination is stirred. In his book, Wiersbe has put into practice what he has encouraged us to do. Others have already complimented me on my last two sermons. (I am a female teaching Deacon who usually substitute for my pastor when he is away). I have already purchased a copy for my pastor, and have also recommended it to several potential Bible teachers. This book is a God-send. When you begin to read it, you don't want to put it down. There is so much fabulous information that you could read it all day long without getting weary. The insights I have harvested are are valuable indeed. If you need sparkle in preparing/preaching a great sermon or Sunday School lessons, this is one of the most valuable resources you should have on hand.

Changed my ministry.......2005-01-01

I cannot tell you how much this book changed my approach to preaching/teaching ministry. Weirsbe begins by explaining the necessity of appealing to the imagination of our listeners to help them to "see" the Gospel. The use of metaphor in preaching and teaching the Bible is a must and Weisbe explains it so well. He uses copious amounts of Scripture to show just how much metaphor is used in the Scripture and makes a clear point that if it is to be communicated you must appreciate the imagery they can produce in the human mind. Amazing book!

Great Introduction to God's use of Metaphorical Language.......2003-05-06

Do you avoid using illustrations/stories in preaching for the sake of getting to the point, focusing exclusively on sound doctrine? This book will show you that far from hindering your goal to report the eternal truths of God to His people, metaphorical communication will advance it . The One who gave us the ultimate standard on theology chose to frequently use concrete language = Christ's teaching was 75% illustrative!
If learning God's Word is supposed to be dull and painful, we might as well take the alchohol out of the Lord's Supper as well..too late!! ; )- Just look at how He meets our needs in life in other areas ... Psalm 104, Acts 14, Song of Solomon.. why should 'feed My sheep' be any different? As He adorns the lilies of the field and feeds the sparrows, so we should take great care to provide good spiritual food for the soul's of His people ...not mere abstractions, but luscious illustrative sermons.. Enjoyed!! : )

[i'm not a pastor yet, but am attending seminary]

I read this book for a sermon prep class, and am now thinking of buying it as a book to look at for future use.

Preaching & Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry
Average customer rating:
Preaching & Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry
Warren W. Wiersbe
Manufacturer: Victor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O24K8M

Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry
Average customer rating:
Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry
Warren Wiersbe
Manufacturer: Victor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O2UARC

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