The Stranger at the Palazzo d'Oro and Other Stories

Book Description

"This is my only story. Now that I am sixty I can tell it." He, the narrator, was a twenty-one-year-old art student traveling the world. She was a countess -- apparently cold, haughty, and inaccessible -- traveling with Haroun, her ambiguous companion. When the young man makes their acquaintance at a hotel in Sicily, he finds himself filled with unexpected lust and playing a part in something he doesn't quite understand. Filled with Theroux's typically effortless but devastating descriptions of people and places, The Stranger at the Palazzo d'Oro is a brilliant portrayal of aging and decay, a shocking tale of sensuality in a golden age. The thrill and risk of pursuit and desire mark the accompanying stories of the sexual awakening and rites of passage of a Boston boyhood, the ruin of a writer in Africa, and the bewitchment of a retiree in Hawaii. This is Paul Theroux at his most allusive and wise, writing with a deep understanding of the frailties of men and boys.

Customer Reviews:

say nothing and you have secrets.......2005-01-26

One thing you can say about Paul Theroux is that he appears to have no secrets, if you believe the quote in my review title from 'A Judas Memoir', one of the four stories in this collection. My title is actually an excerpt from a longer quote: 'naked people are strong, weak people make jokes, say nothing and you have secrets'.

All four stories are about youth and age. About the foolish confidence of youth before social constraints come into play, and about the frail vulnerability of the aged - yes, they too can - and do - make mistakes. For me, the title story of this book was far too ugly for me to really enjoy. For a while I liked 'An African Story' best. But there appear to be jokes - things that made me laugh - does that make Mr Theroux weak? - or was he trying to make the lead character appear weak? The sad thing about the mistakes of the aged - shown several times in these stories - is that often they do not have the time to throw their arms in the air and say 'How Fascinating!' as Benjamin Zander would recommend (the fascination being the opportunity to learn).

These stories are exotic and often erotic - although I would certainly avoid making any recommendation based on the erotic aspect of the stories. Repeatedly I found the sadness of the uncertainty of youth - the desires and dreams that probably will never be fulfilled, the acceptance of constraints - and the sadness of aging which occurs with such regret - why can the adventures of youth not continue?

Here's another quote - this time from 'An African Story' - 'People who read are not happy or else why would they be alone in a room with a book in their hands?'

Other recommendations:

Milroy the Magician - Paul Theroux
any of Mr Theroux's travel books (such as 'Riding the Iron Rooster')
The Art of Possibility - Benjamin Zander

When the student becomes the teacher...........2005-01-23

At the heart of the four stories in this exceptional collection is the exploration of power relationships in which the master becomes the slave, sometimes by choice, sometimes by manipulation or deceit, and sometimes as a matter of circumstance. Theroux is intrigued by what happens when a rich, aristocratic woman allows herself to be sexually dominated by a young, poor recent college graduate, or when a white South African writer, consumed by passion for a poor black woman, finds himself losing everything he has as a result of his pursuing her. In two other stories, he skillfully examines a group of young boys as they seek revenge against their priest, and a retired lawyer who finds himself at the mercy of his hired help after he follows them on their Las Vegas vacation. Each story is a classic case of role reversal. In each, the typical lines of authority are turned upside down, resulting in some fascinating discoveries about the essence of relationships and human character.

The first and title story is by far the best; both the story and the prose attain a height of mastery that aren't quite achieved in the following three stories. The writing has an ease and a grace that are hard to find, that only come from the most gifted of writers. And this is indeed writing with purpose. The `grafin', or countess, in this story, is an exquisitely drawn character, a perfect balance of royal aloofness and pretension with human vulnerability and insecurity.

The other three stories are treasures as well, though on a second tier. Of them, the best is "An African Story," in which Theroux first summarizes a half-dozen novellas written by a fictitious South African writer, then tells of the tragic downfall of the writer. The writer's stories, in many ways, foreshadow his own life's events in a way that underscores the intrinsic ties between life and literature.

When I'm Sixty-Four...........2004-07-26

I've always been a Paul Theroux fan so I found his latest fiction, THE STRANGER AT THE PALAZZO D'ORO, interesting for a couple of reasons:

The first is that we're reading about a 60-year-old man dealing with desire through his own life and the lives of others. Whether it's an aging countess from his own past or the ridiculous or tragic friends dealing with their own much-younger lovers, it was fascinating for me to read about people still grappling with lust, love and loss at a point in their lives when they should've figured that all out by now.
Perhaps that was Theroux's point: our own hearts will always remain a mystery no matter far we go or how much we see.

How much of this book reflects Theroux's own life?
That was the other reason I found this book so enjoyable: the first two novellas felt full of details from his own youth and I caught glimpses of incidents that would turn up in his earlier novels.
The countess in the first novella reminded me of the "patroness" from MY SECRET HISTORY. The boys plotting their revenge in the second novella reminded me of the comically-absurd caper of MURDER IN MOUNT HOLLY. The girl relieving herself outside of the boy's tent flashed me back to the "mutant" girl in the bathtub in O-ZONE.

Ultimately, I felt like I was listening to not only a great storyteller but also an elder trying to pass something on.
And it might be a warning.

Not complete.......2004-04-14

I enjoyed some of the stories and some I didn't. But that's the way it is with collections of short stories. I was not disturbed by any of the stories, although I should have read the Amazon reviews before picking up the book as I was not at all prepared for what was coming. But the stories and the feelings of lust and loss were very intersting. I just didn't feel that any of the characters were developed fully. The first story, The Strangers at the Palazzo D'Oro was the best in my opinion. I always enjoy stories that are told from the perspective of the main character looking back on their life. I just wish there would've been a little more to it. Sex gets old when there's not more dialogue and plot.

Literary Doodles.......2004-03-09

I often don't like to read short stories. For me, they are not - in general you understand - as satisfying as a novel. Too hasty and short if they are good, too unfulfilling and short if they are not. This is a slightly different case for me.

The theme of the title story is sort of retold in a different framework in a second one. Neither to me are satisfying. With the Palazzo story I get the feeling that it SHOULD HAVE BEEN a novel but that there really was only a limited story to tell. Sex without conversation gets dull even for an author. The "readalike" seemed to be another way to try and draw out the same story. Neither worked for me.

The stories that are grouped together under the "Judas" theme posed an even more difficult issue for me. They seemed like doodles. By that I mean - Theroux wanted the characters in them to do something but couldn't settle on one thing. So he tried in different ways, and lacking the ability to develop them (they really aren't interesting people) gave us all the attempts in this short story collection. To me they were barebones, or sketches if you will, of an idea.

Recently I saw a drawing show of Parmagianino's work at the Frick Museum in NYC. There were many sheets of what my friend calls "doodles" which is how he defines sketches and studies for "real" drawings or paintings. I asked myself why I loved looking at the art studies but resented reading what I thought were literary studies. I think the reason is that an artist's thought process is interesting for comparison to what he finally achieves. A writer's studies are not interesting in the same way unless there is a final definitive version.

Also, the artist - Parmagianino for example - never expected his studies (doodles) to be seen. In contrast, Theroux has assembled his and published them as a final product.

This is not satisfying to me. But I'm sure I am in the minority. Moral: I should stick to novels.

Average customer rating:
Stranger At the Palazzo D'Oro and Other Stories
Paul Theroux
Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OKK1F0

Average customer rating:

Well, I am a fan of Weiss & Hickmann so...

Not as good as Weis and Hickman's previous novels

Engrossing but ultimately unsatisfying

A Dragon Story and Much More

Great Addition
The War of Souls Trilogy Gift Set: Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Dragons of a Lost Star, Dragons of a Vanished Moon (Dragonlance Series)
Margaret Weis , and Tracy Hickman
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Dragons of Summer Flame

Legends Gift Set: Time of the Twins, War of the Twins, and Test of the Twins (Dragonlance: Legends Trilogy)

The Second Generation

Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy Gift Set

The Soulforge (Dragonlance: The Raistlin Chronicles, Book 1)

ASIN: 0786930020
Release Date: 2003-09-01

Book Description

This slip-covered gift set contains the three New York Times best-selling titles that make up the epic War of Souls trilogy: Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Dragons of a Lost Star, and Dragons of a Vanished Moon. Authored by Dragonlance saga co-creators Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, these titles each hit multiple best-seller lists upon initial release.

Customer Reviews:

Well, I am a fan of Weiss & Hickmann so..........2007-07-08

Great books. I have to admit that vol. 2 was a bit slow and dull at first but vol. 1 and 3 and most of vol. 2 made up for this. Didn't much care for the lovestory between Silvanoshei and the dark knight Mina so all this about Silanosheis love that wasn't returned is a bit dull for me (yes yes, I am a guy). But all in all I would rate this as a 5 star product. Another great story from Weiss & Hickmann.

Not as good as Weis and Hickman's previous novels.......2007-06-05

First let me start off by saying that I did enjoy these books. But I enjoyed the previous books more. The Chronicles Trilogy was the first set in the Dragonlance world and I must say the best. It all sort of went downhill from there, albeit a long hill with a small angle but still downhill. I really thought that with The Second Generation and Dragons of Summer Flame that led up to The War of Souls Trilogy, that there would be a "rebirth" (if you will) of the Dragonlance Series. But sadly that wasn't to be. An IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: I have been led to believe that the writers, Weis and Hickman, actually have very little creative control over the Dragonlance Series. I believe that these books are meant to be companions to the world of D & D. I enjoy reading not throwing dice to see how much damage I do. As such, maybe they threw dice to see how the storyline would unfold. I don't know.

The Good:
The story is great. The action is great. Tas the loveable and unlikely hero is back. There is a lot of action and intrigue to keep you interested. The whole trilogy is one big twist after another.

The Bad:
I'm afraid there may be more bad than good...but only just. The number one problem, and it is SERIOUSLY BAD, is the typos. Did anyone actually proofread this book? I mean seriously it is bad. By the middle of Dragons of a Lost Star (second book in the trilogy), I was almost ready to call it quits just because it was so hard to make any sense of it. Misspelled words...bad punctuation...missing words...extra words. Just really, really, really bad. They need to fire whoever edited this book.

Now about the problems with the stories themselves. POTENTIAL SPOILER

My best advise to the readers about these books and this goes for pretty much ALL of the Dragonlance novels: Don't get attached to ANY character because they ALL die. The writers spend 3 books building a character and getting them developed then kill them. Why would you do that? Take a lesson from R.A. Salvatore or Terry Goodkind and keep your main characters ALIVE. It's what keeps readers coming back for more. If Salvatore had killed Drizzt after his first trilogy, Salvatore's career as a writer would have been a lot less eventful. Same goes for Goodkind's Richard in the Sword of Truth books.
Let's see who has died along the way to The War of Souls. Keep in mind these are MAJOR CHARACTERS!
Sturm Brightblade, Tanis Half-Elven, Caramon Majere, Raistin Majere, Tika Majere, Alhana Starbreeze, Crysania, Goldmoon, Laurana, Palin Majere, Riverwind, Steel Brightblade, Tanin Majere, Kitiara Uth Matar (who needed more development), Berem the Everman (death was justified), Flint Fireforge, Tas Burfoot (dead but brought back) and I'm sure there were others but I think you get the picture. And again these were major characters. Why even bother developing them if they are so expendable? Heck, I wouldn't even bother being creative with the names. Maybe I can write a Dragonlance novel. "Here is Sam. Sam is an elf. Sam has to overcome insurmountable odds to save the world. Sam overcame the insurmountable odds and saved the world. Now Sam is dead." There, I just wrote a whole Dragonlance novel in five sentences.
What was the point of "The Second Generation" and "Dragons of Summer Flame"? They introduce new characters and then killed them all. Stupid.

Summary of my review:
These books have a great story, great plot, and great characters who will all die. Or if that sentence had as many typos as these books...Thes books have great story great plot and grate charactrse woh will all dye.

Engrossing but ultimately unsatisfying.......2007-05-13

I have been a long-time fan of Weis and Hickman and their Dragonlance books. They have an uncanny ability to write engrossing stories full of conflict and angst and failure that somehow still come together at the end on a note of acceptance and hope. In general, the characters end the stories as better people than they started them as, and the price the characters pay is redeemed by what they gain by the end. I looked forward to this new series. The story is certainly engrossing -- I found it hard to put the books down, even during the darkest and bleakest points in the story. But unlike their earlier works, Weis and Hickman don't manage to wrap this one up well. Several story lines end abruptly, as if Weis and Hickman just ran out of steam on them and gave up. More important, almost none of the characters end the story having learned anything important. The sacrifices made by the characters remain unredeemed at the end. I was left disappointed and unsatisfied. Go ahead and read the story -- it is well written. Just be prepared to feel incomplete at the end.

A Dragon Story and Much More.......2007-05-08

What makes this series so fascinating are the set of characters, especially the kender, who adds just the right amount of comic relief, and the freshness that comes from a vivid imagination on the part of the authors. You won't feel like you've read anything like this before.

Great Addition.......2007-03-27

I've been working on the first book of the three and so far I'm enjoying it as much as all the other Dragonlance Novels I've read. If you love the Dragonlance novels, you won't be upset with this pick.

Amazon.com

This collection of short stories includes tales that take place before The Vor Game and others extending past Brothers in Arms. The variation in tone across the tales is handled exceptionally well, as we see Miles mourn and get a better look at his relationship with Illyan. The stories include Miles's first outing as a detective, in which he's faced with a case of infanticide in the mutant-phobic hill country; his largest rescue mission ever; and the most distressed damsel for whom he ever played the knight.

Download Description

[A Miles Vorkosigan Story] Miles infiltrates a prison camp at Dagoola IV, where he plots from within to free the prisoners. [Publisher's Note: "The Borders of Infinity" was originally published as a stand-alone novella in the anthology "Free Lancers" in September 1987. It was then included in the novel "Borders of Infinity" (October 1989). For the novel, Ms. Bujold added a short "framing story" that tied the three novellas together by setting up each as a flashback that Miles experiences while recovering from bone-replacement surgery. Fictionwise is publishing these novellas separately, but we decided to leave in Ms. Bujold's short framing story for those who may also wish to read the other two novellas ("The Mountains of Mourning" and "Labyrinth").] Locus Poll Award Nominee

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A collection of three novellas, a couple of which came from Analog, and another from a book. This is taken none too seriously with a Miles under investigation for accounting irregularities linking sort-of-story.

Borders of Infinity : Borders of Infinity - Lois McMaster Bujold
Borders of Infinity : Labyrinth - Lois McMaster Bujold
Borders of Infinity : Mountains of Mourning - Lois McMaster Bujold

Undercover recover uprising bustout.

3.5 out of 5

Werewolf nookie rescue.

3 out of 5

Infanticide investigation experience.

3 out of 5

Three terrific novellas in the Vorkosigan series.......2007-08-09

These three Miles Vorkosigan novellas are very wonderful and different from her other novels. No space opera in any of them, their brevity is one of their strengths.

"Mountains of Mourning" is a terrific jumping off place to begin the Vorkosigan series. Miles is 20, has just graduated from the Academy and is sent by his father to be his Voice. We see in this novella how very backward rural Barrayar can be and how much some people can change. I like this one so much I teach it.

"Labyrinth" is about another woman in Miles life.

"The Borders of Infinity" is one mission Admiral Naismith failed-- or that's how he feels. It's a heart- breaking story.

Three linked novellas about Miles Vorkosigan.......2007-03-08

This is a very good set of three novellas set in the Miles Vorkosigan universe. There are a lot of linkages to other stories in the sequence.

The narrative which links the three novellas is set in Miles' hospital room, where he is recovering from major surgery while aged 25, just after the events of "Brothers in Arms." Simon Illyan, the dreaded head of Imperial Security, visits him in hospital to get a more detailed report of two missions Miles had previously carried out. (Illyan needs the details in order to respond to awkward questions being asked by opposition politicians who hope to discredit the Prime Minister, Miles' father Aral Vorkosigan, by suggesting that Miles has been padding his expenses.)

The memories of these two missions which Miles has to remember so as to answer Simon Illyan, and one earlier story of which he is reminded by Simon's questions, constitute the three stories which make up the book.

The first novella, "The Mountains of Mourning" is set when Miles is 20 and has just graduated from the Military academy, just before his first posting in "The Vor Game." Miles is sent to investigate the sudden death out in the sticks of a baby with a harelip. He has to find out whether she was murdered as a mutant, and if so he has the power to act as judge, jury, and executioner. This story is much more grim and downbeat than most of Miles' adventures.

The second novella, "Labyrinth" is set three years later, on Jackson's Whole, shortly after the book "Cetaganda". Miles has been sent to help a scientist to defect - quickly and quietly since "his-soon-to-be-former employer is expected to be highly irate at the lack of a month's notice."

However, the problem of extracting the scientist quickly and discreetly is soon exacerbated by the presence of not one but two damsels in distress. One of them, Nicol, is a Quaddie, a descendant of the genetically modified space dwellers who Leo Graf fought to liberate in Bujold's book "Falling Free", set two centuries previously.

Miles will meet Nicol again many years later in the currently most recent book, "Diplomatic Immunity." The other damsel in distress also turns up again in later stories, but I can't say any more than that about her without the risk of giving away the ending of this one.

The third and best story, "Borders of Infinity" is set two years later, when Miles is 25, and shortly before the book "Brothers in Arms." Miles is planted as a mole inside a prison camp where the Cetagandans are keeping 10,000 POWs from the planet Marilac, which they are trying to conquer. I can't say any more about this one without spoiling it, other than that it is an exceptionally good story.

The three novellas fit together well, explain a lot about Miles, and are very entertaining.

One unusual thing about "Borders of Infinity" is the subtlety with which the cover art scene is chosen. Usually the cover art for a science fiction novel is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. This one is almost too subtle: sadly I suspect many people will miss the point even after they've read the book. It represents one of the most moving moments of the book.

The cover illustration shows Miles clad in a spacesuit: a woman's arm is reaching towards him, and Miles is reaching back towards her, as they desperately try to grab each other's hand. This represents a scene which happens towards the end of the third novella, "Borders of Infinity." Unfortunately to say more than this would risk giving away the ending of that story.

However, if you do have trouble working out the cover art, I can tell you where to find an explanation: you must read Bujold's book "Komarr," which is set about six years later. (It's well worth a read in its own right and not just because it explains the cover of this one!) After an embarrassing mishap on a shopping trip with a woman named Ekaterin, Miles experiences a flashback to the incident shown on the cover of "Borders of Infinity." He explains to Ekaterin how that incident has haunted him for six years, but the embarrassing accident they have just experienced has enabled him to see the previous event in a new light.

Bottom line: "Borders of Infinity" is an excellent work of science fiction, and if you enjoyed anything else in the Vorkosigan series, you will enjoy this one.

More great space opera.......2006-01-26

Miles Vorkosigan returns in these three stories, in the heroic form we've come to expect. The first story is a more or less standard mystery, a whodunnit to find the killer of a baby girl, where Miles is detective, jury, and judge - but also goodwill ambassador in a situation where good will is hard to find. The second is a space-military story with a surprising romatic twist. The third continues the military theme. Miles, in his small, broken, and naked body organizes 10,000 despondent and desperate prisoners for escape from the inescapable.

It's all feel-good fiction about grand lords, exciting escapes, and winning against insurmountable odds, with enough tragedy to keep it from being saccharine. Mostly, though, this offers plenty of action in a world where it's easy to tell who the good guys are.

//wiredweird

"Borders of Infinity" (note the quotes).......2005-06-07

This digital version is highly satisfactory (I read it on a pocket pc), but note that it is NOT the book Borders of Infinity. It is the short story, and you must buy "Labyrinth" and "Mountains of Morning" separately. However, it is well worth the money, especially if you have read one of the others in an omnibus. This is the famed Dagoola prison camp story, and it is part of Miles's "Admiral Naismith" adventures.

Average customer rating:

Borders of Infinity

Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Canada
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000I030SQ

Average customer rating:

Borders of Infinity
Lois McMaster ; Gunn, James (introduction by), Illustrated by Miller, Ron Bujold
Manufacturer: Norwalk, CT: The Easton Press,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OVDZ9S

Average customer rating:

Borders of Infinity

Manufacturer: The Reader's Chair
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: 1885585098

Product Description

3 Miles Vorkosigan Adventures! The Mountains of Mouring is a Hugo & Nebula Award-winning novella. Just after graduating from military academy, Ensign Miles must take on one of his duties as a Barrayaran Vor Lord by acting as detective and judge in a back-country murder case. In Labyrinth, Miles travels to Jackson's Whole on a covert mission for Barrayar as Dendaril Mercenary Admiral Naismith. His mission to rescue a top research geneticist is complicated by the doctor's insistence that one of his experimental creatures be destroyed first. The Borders of Infinity finds Miles in a Cetagandan prison camp. But why is he here? How does he handle captivity? And, will he make it out alive?

Granice Nieskonczonosci (Borders of Infinity in Polish)

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Granice Nieskonczonosci (Borders of Infinity in Polish)
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Nowa Fantastyka
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GRIRFC

Vorkosigan's Game: The Vor Game and Borders of Infinity

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Vorkosigan's Game: The Vor Game and Borders of Infinity
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Guild America Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KAA8K2

Average customer rating:

Not Free SF Reader

Borders of Infinity
Lois McMaster BUJOLD
Manufacturer: Baen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OPCDXS

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-08-29

Average customer rating:

Borders of Infinity
Gene Walden
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 5551029522

Borders of Infinity (Signed First Edition)

Average customer rating:

Borders of Infinity (Signed First Edition)

Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000CRWYD2

VORKOSIGAN'S GAME - The Vor Game, Borders of Infinity

Average customer rating:

VORKOSIGAN'S GAME - The Vor Game, Borders of Infinity
Lois McMaster Bujold
Manufacturer: Guild America Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VBKGJ8

Book Description

God created us with diverse cultural and individual backgrounds. He intended those differences for our corporate delight and blessing. But too often we let differences separate us from each other.In One New People Manuel Ortiz persuades us of the benefits in fellowship and outreach that we can experience by crossing racial, ethnic and cultural lines. He urges us not just to put aside our differences but to celebrate them and to embrace them--to use them in a way that draws us closer to each other and closer to God.To that end, he offers a variety of models for creating and sustaining a multiethnic church. You'll explore new possibilities by reading stories of those who have already reaped the benefits of multiethnic approaches to community and ministry. And you'll sort out which options are best for your situation by working through the questions for thought and discussion that are included throughout the book. Finally, you'll find here ideas and principles to guide you through the process of change and growth: improving communication, managing conflict, encouraging and training new leaders, and much more.Here is inspiration, guidance and time-tested models for broadening the ministry of your church to reflect the power of God not only to overcome our differences, but also to transform them into a source of strength and joy.

Customer Reviews:

Great Place to Start.......2007-08-27

If the demographics of your church do not look anything like the ethnic diversity of your neighborhood, Manuel Ortiz's book is a great place to start your educational research. I found this book especially helpful in describing different church models of approaching multi-ethnic outreach.

Trans-Cultural Principles for Multicultural Ministry.......2007-07-31

Manuel Ortiz has written a very practical "why and how to" book on developing multicultural congregations. He provides transcultural and time-tested models for moving a church (change management) culture from monolithic to multicultural. Though dated (and thus the demographics tend to be outdated), the principles and practices are timeless.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction, Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

A new generation.......2005-06-09

One important goal for people who are ministering among churches should be the developing of a multiethnic Church. In order to understand what is happening in society, we should understand the context in which there is a national trend of immigration. In addition, we have to know more about people who are coming from other countries. Who are they? What kinds of values do they have? The most important question is who is our neighbor because this will allow us to know these people much better. According to Ortiz 32 million people speak a language other than English. He mentions the necessity of thinking more holistically when we are thinking about mission work in the United States. Ortiz considers that the purpose of multiethnic ministry is reconciliation. However Wagner pointed out two more purposes, evangelism and church growth. Perhaps the first one makes more sense. In fact, many churches have becoming multiethnic because of the desire of reconciliation. For example, there is a model whose purpose is a missiological imperative.
This type of church maintains a traditional organization. Another ministry is a multi-congregation. The author refers to this term when he explains how several different groups fellowship in the same building. According to Ortiz, there are many aspects that have to be considered in order to accomplish the goal of a multiethnic-church. Analyzing a church that has successfully collected these aspects we can identify several characteristics: commitment to relationship, intentionally, sincerity, sensitivity,
interdependence, sacrifice, call, and empowerment. Ortiz reflects on the necessity of a leadership in order to build up multiethnic churches. The pastor should be a visionary man with a profound conviction to moving toward establishing a format that would bring diverse people groups together. There are several steps that are necessary to build up a new humanity. For example, declare in written form the biblical position of the church in this matter of unity in diversity, develop a mission statement, develop a philosophy of ministry, involve multiethnic leaders in the process, and the church must be deliberate in determining how to solve conflict. Finally, ministers should evaluate their ministries in order to see the Lord build up a new humanity. The multiethnic global reality inevitably will overtake Christian organizations; thus, ministers should do their homework by reflection, meditation and prayer.
The author's weaknesses.
Ortiz does not discuss how the Church had to handle multiethnicity in the first century. For example, one case is mentioned in Acts 6. The Greek widows were neglected in the daily administration of food. The church had to struggle with different issues because many multiethnic groups belonged to the church.
The author's strengths.
The author provides an excellent panorama of current churches that are already practicing multiethnic churches and ministry in multi congregations.
He describes a holistic approach of ministering for diverse people in order to fulfill the Scriptures.
He encourages leadership how to keep alive this type of ministry in a pluralistic society.

The way that God wants us to be.......2005-06-03

Living in a changing world, in the United States, becoming increasingly more diverse culturally, and ethnically, we need to be prepared as the church body to be on the frontlines of this phenomenon.

In One New People Ortiz reminds us of the diversity that existed in the church of the first century, and Jesus Christ's' purpose to reconcile us in Him. "The Community has a kingdom testimony of people from diverse backgrounds being loved and being accepted and then sharing their possessions for the purpose of advancing God's Kingdom. This testimony is uncommon in a society where racial strife is more evident than brotherly love. While it often leads to evangelism and growth in the church, it also provides for healing in the community" (Ortiz 1996:93)

Ortiz presents in a very practical way throughout the text, examples of various congregations that have taken the steps to change from a homogeneous church to what he describes to be a multicongregational church or a multiethnical church.
A multicongregational church is a church that houses various ethnic groups from the community in one building with different meeting times during the week. A Multiethnic church is a church that includes culturally diverse people who meet together as one congregation, utilizing one language, usually English." He presents the case of the International Bible Church, located in Los Angeles and is composed of "Anglos, American Indians, Asian Indians, Blacks, Chinese, Guatemalans, Filipinos, Koreans, Mexicans, Salvadorians, Russians, Taiwanese, Thais, and Ukrainians." The purpose of this church is to glorify God (Eph 1:5-6, 12,14). The key of this ministry is to focus on Jesus Christ who makes us one and not in our differences.

Ortiz encourages us to take serious the plan of God of reconciling people. "This new pattern can be summarized in terms of process, change, evaluation and the body of Christ." (Ortiz 1996:140). He uses as a model 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 and mentions some principles that will help us in the cross cultural process of change: Humility, Centrality of Christ, Honesty, Dependence on God, Confidence in God.

"I believe that we limit the greatness of our Lord when we know God only as a local God who speaks our language and understands our condition alone. The multiethnic church provides us with a more comprehensive understanding of the Scriptures. It takes away our haughtiness-our belief that we are more important and more knowledgeable than anyone else. It teaches us to learn the world in more depth because the insight of others helps us to see things that our blinders shut out before. It tells us that we need each other (1 Cor 12:12-27) and another part cannot tell another, I have no need of you." (Ortiz 1996:12)

We can learn about some steps and models from a Biblical perspective towards a reconciled Church the way Christ intended it to be.

What a Wonderful World This Would Be..........2005-05-25

Manuel Ortiz's, One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church, is a well-timed book for a day of great segregation in our churches. The segregation problem in our churches mirrors quite directly the continued segregation of races, social classes and any other means by which people differentiate themselves found in out society. Sadly, we follow in the footsteps of a fallen people as opposed to leading the way and standing out in holiness as Christ intended his people to do. Yet, despite the state of our society and our churches within them Ortiz offers hope and looks positively into a future where these distinguishing factors are replaced by a view of people in and out of the church that sees them as a new nation, a Christian nation. Several of the principles and specific examples he provide model convincingly the potential of intentionally setting out on a quest of reconciliation, not only unto God but in practice now as we seek to break down the walls built around the many elements that hinder us from seeing the inner self and intentions of God's diverse people.
The strength of Ortiz's book lay in his use of church models seen in specific churches throughout the United States. They are helpful in seeing the pros and cons of both multiethnic churches and multi-congregational models, a distinction he clearly analyzes. If there is a downside to the book it is not contextually rather, in the organization and often-random points inserted and left unexplained. Sadly, these points nail an idea on the head but don't fully nail it down for the reader. This can be frustrating. In the end, he leaves the reader excited and more fully ready for the task of multiethnic or congregational models of church. However, it is only excitement and leaves some room for further study and compilation of a more resourceful implementation of his concepts. That would be to answer the question, of what this looks like and how, practically speaking, do you do it?
Anyone interested in pursuing integration, or as many are calling it reconciliation over ethnic lines, this is a must read. It is extremely insightful and opens up a challenging world of great hope and opportunity. It provides a very realistic understanding of what multiethnic ministry could be. From this book, the reader will easily be able to know whether or not a ministry such as these is something they wish to pursue more seriously. However, a word of caution, those not really wanting to be convinced of this great form of ministry ought not read Ortiz's book. Otherwise, you may find yourself caught up in the beautiful possibilities of a diverse world more perfectly in the image of God.

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