The Holy Family Alan Michael Wilt 9780988372702 Books
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This is a challenging December for Martin Halsey, a New York talent agent. Catholic faith was a key source of insight for Martin as a young man. But when puzzlement overtook insight, he chose atheism and gave his full commitment to his true passions -- his work and family. An acute tragedy, however, has caused Martin to reconsider his choice. In "The Holy Family," Thanksgiving proceeds to Christmas as Martin revisits his evolution from belief to unbelief against the backdrop of his early faith, his marriage, career, and family, and a controversial painting of the Holy Family by his daughter Celia. In the face of deep loss, Martin struggles with the question Do I renew my faith and accept its promises, or stand firm with the sensual, finite love of a world without God? Engaging and timely, "The Holy Family" ventures into contentious waters but transcends the shouting and welcomes the search. "'The Holy Family' is a rich and engrossing story, elegant and moving. Though it takes place on the epic stage of religious belief and disbelief, the drama itself is simple, humane, and ultimately devastating as the title's twin meanings gradually come into focus. A unique and deeply satisfying read." -Dale McGowan, author, "Parenting Beyond Belief"
The Holy Family Alan Michael Wilt 9780988372702 Books
I thought of some cute and clever titles for my review but they are not needed. To put it bluntly, life is much too short to be wasted reading poor literature. To spend part of your existence on this book is valuable. The Holy Family by Wilt, contrary to the author's name is full of crisp concepts:1- The recurring term of cognitive dissonance-a state when beliefs and reason are not in harmony is expressed as the primary motive to question our religious views. These intolerable mental inconsistencies are gently brought to the forefront of the readers mind as we are reminded the unexamined faith is not worth having. Wilt explores the role of religion as an attempt to make sense of life and gradually concludes it is a human invention. Yet he does not throw the baby out with the bathwater, and instead points out the deep metaphorical usefulness of a religious heritage. Wilt sympathetically very much understands how hard it can be to let go of our childhood indoctrinations. He gently acknowledges the lifelong persistent tugs at one's heartstrings and deep homesick twinges which accompany rejecting the superstitions of our youth.
2-A persistent Kingdom of Heaven concept is encouraged as living fully in the here and now without the need of a possible ultimate gated community after death. Not in a "create fear and then sell hope" model, but that of a fully-in-the-moment-type living of a life more concerned with action than beliefs. Like John the Baptist, Wilt's recurring "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" premise is the well needed asskick for those of us distracted by the future while missing the present.
3-Also found is the promotion of a Memento mori existence in which death is not feared, but seen as a great motivator to make the present even more precious. Because of the ever possible prospect of death tomorrow, the author promotes an optimistic focus on today. Not following a way of life centered on superstitious ritualistic rituals to appease a deity, but instead in meaningful personally transforming relationships with our fellow humans who are right at hand.
Despite being firmly entrenched in the deist camp myself, I find in his speaking both to the head and the heart, this fellow Wilt shows atheists can actually be human!
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Tags : The Holy Family [Alan Michael Wilt] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. This is a challenging December for Martin Halsey, a New York talent agent. Catholic faith was a key source of insight for Martin as a young man. But when puzzlement overtook insight,Alan Michael Wilt,The Holy Family,Tucker Seven Editorial Services,0988372703,Fiction - General,Fiction General,General,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)
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The Holy Family Alan Michael Wilt 9780988372702 Books Reviews
Up front, I admit I was acquainted with the author during college more than 30 years back. I am his "Facebook friend" now - whatever that means these days - and that's how I heard about this book. I am finally getting around to reading it and regret I waited so long.
Excellent - highly recommended! How's that for objective and un-biased?!
I was immediately drawn in to the story and cared about the characters. There is a tone successfully set and carried throughout - to me, this is what makes good fiction. The story is deep and layered but not put-offish, thankfully minus the perfunctory mean-spirited whining of lapsed Catholics. There is intelligent exploration of faith-based themes and universal human questions, without trite intellectualism and knee-jerk pot-shots at organized religion. All sides are developed and explored nicely via the characters a scientific daughter, an artistic daughter, an intelligent priest ever questioning his faith from within the faith, good ol' folks who love and believe for the sake of loving and believing, and an eternal-mother-wife (just a bit too perfect).
As a perpetual faith-questioner myself (and these days, a hopelessly Catholic agnostic), I am more than familiar with the fever-pitched arguments I carried out within myself, or with my teachers, my relatives, and most of all my parents. Wilt's book drags it all up again for me. It has been my experience that faith questioners start with an axe to grind, always at a visceral before an intellectual level. My past consisted of finger-pointing, self-righteous Catholics demeaning me constantly, which sparked my passion for faith questioning. Martin Halsey does not reveal that spark. Another book perhaps? Let's hope so!
Alan Michael Wilt gradually unfolds this gently stunning story of a family after a crisis in a modern setting. Alternating between past and present we learn to know and love the characters. Atheism emerges as Martin Halsey wrestles with his love of aspects of traditions in and of the church and incongruities between the church and his reason and experience. Although perhaps inevitable, Martin's atheism does not come easily or willingly. There are few pat answers in the story. But it rings true in high fidelity with the reality of living in an imperfect, delightful, cruel, beautiful, oblivious universe.
The Holy Family is a story of tragic loss, death, despair and grief. It is also a book about reality, life, love and meaning. It's a book of hope and optimism regarding the human condition. While treating religion with respect, the protagonist/narrator, his wife and two daughters reject the ideas of God and the afterlife though he continues to embrace Christ's core message of love, compassion and caring. I hope that those readers who cannot accept this beautifully written book's central concepts will treat it with the same respect the author shows the religious.
I thought of some cute and clever titles for my review but they are not needed. To put it bluntly, life is much too short to be wasted reading poor literature. To spend part of your existence on this book is valuable. The Holy Family by Wilt, contrary to the author's name is full of crisp concepts
1- The recurring term of cognitive dissonance-a state when beliefs and reason are not in harmony is expressed as the primary motive to question our religious views. These intolerable mental inconsistencies are gently brought to the forefront of the readers mind as we are reminded the unexamined faith is not worth having. Wilt explores the role of religion as an attempt to make sense of life and gradually concludes it is a human invention. Yet he does not throw the baby out with the bathwater, and instead points out the deep metaphorical usefulness of a religious heritage. Wilt sympathetically very much understands how hard it can be to let go of our childhood indoctrinations. He gently acknowledges the lifelong persistent tugs at one's heartstrings and deep homesick twinges which accompany rejecting the superstitions of our youth.
2-A persistent Kingdom of Heaven concept is encouraged as living fully in the here and now without the need of a possible ultimate gated community after death. Not in a "create fear and then sell hope" model, but that of a fully-in-the-moment-type living of a life more concerned with action than beliefs. Like John the Baptist, Wilt's recurring "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" premise is the well needed asskick for those of us distracted by the future while missing the present.
3-Also found is the promotion of a Memento mori existence in which death is not feared, but seen as a great motivator to make the present even more precious. Because of the ever possible prospect of death tomorrow, the author promotes an optimistic focus on today. Not following a way of life centered on superstitious ritualistic rituals to appease a deity, but instead in meaningful personally transforming relationships with our fellow humans who are right at hand.
Despite being firmly entrenched in the deist camp myself, I find in his speaking both to the head and the heart, this fellow Wilt shows atheists can actually be human!
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