... and also The Brothers Karamazov...so far I like the Brothers K book. What did others think about this book when they read it?
MaryCecilia
I love the wedding at Cana chapter. That is probably one of my all time favorite sections of any book.
Right now I am reading "The Crystal Cave" by Mary Stewart, a book about the life of Merlin with an interesting twist. I just finished "Heroes" by the 19th Century English writer Kingsley, a book of three Greek myth heroes, Perseus, Jason and Theseus. Written in a fashion for his children but much more comprehensive than any modern mythology book.
The Bros K is my absolute favorite book. When I first read it, I thought it was a great atmospheric murder mystery. When I read it after living as a Christian for a few years, I noticed some "spiritual stuff" that I had skimmed over the first time. And now that I'm Orthodox... Murder? what murder? So there's something there for everyone, and that's a fact!
Ole Rocker, I read Crystal Cave a long time ago and remember loving it very much. Probably time to read it again.
I'm still working on Unseen Warfare edited by St. Theophan the Recluse, et al. And I recently aquired a nice little stack of back issues of the Orthodox Word and have been reading them before bed. I just finished To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Jose Farmer. And I just started last night Fr. Seraphim's The Soul After Death, mostly to find out what aerial tollhouses are all about.
Too many books, so little time.
-Xenia
I recently started reading The Diary of a Russian Priest by Alexander Elchaninov, and while I do have some minor differences here and there (I think I tend to be more paradoxical in my thinking, and Fr. Alexander more black and white), this book has had a wealth of insights thus far. I get somewhat the same feeling when I read this book as when I read something by Lossky: I'm not sure that I should be so accepting of what I'm reading, but wow is there some great stuff there. On the other hand, this book is very practical and applicable, unlike Lossky's deep academic/theological writing, so it's easier to decided in one's mind whether what is being said is agreeable or not.
Just started reading the new biography of Fr. Seraphim Rose, Fr. Seraphim Rose- His Life and Works.
I was somewhat disappointed to find that many of the chapters are identical to those in Not of This World, but I suppose I should have known beforehand that this might be the case considering the new book was advertised basically as a revision of the old bio. Although the new book is revised to be less slanted in regards to jurisdictional issues(i.e. supporting St.Herman's formerly schismatic status), the author still presents Fr. Seraphim's "hard" teachings on certain modernist theologians and the spiritual pitfalls certain jurisdictions have fallen into. Also included is a section recounting stories of miracles Fr. Seraphim has performed since his repose- the accounts seem to be taken from a variety of people including a priest in the OCA. The author seems to be making a case for the formal glorification of Fr. Seraphim by adding this section, as well as by making comments on the local veneration of Fr. Seraphim which is already taking place....which sounds good to me!
I've continued reading The Diary of a Russian Priest by Alexander Elchaninov and I'm still at a loss as to what to think. He sometimes has very good insights, and generally speaking he seems all-around like a solid, ascetical (though also pastorally mindful), Orthodox priest. Yet, he says some really far out things at times, like calling Francis of Assisi a saint.
Peter,
Is this new (revision) about the same size (and price) as the Not of This World biography? Also, if you would, please do come back and share with us your thoughts on the book--how it differs (generally speaking) from the older biography.