One of the most prescient book covers I’ve seen recently graces the dust jacket of Jessica Maxwell‘s new spiritual memoir, Roll Around Heaven.
It features an achingly adorable winged swine swathed in the light of some divine clouds.
Well-timed nod to the swine flu?
Probably not — the pig refers to the author’s relationship with a Washington State pig farmer who became a religious guru to her as she embarked on her own spiritual journey about 20 years ago.
Maxwell is reading from her book tonight at the Tea Party Bookshop, the only bookstore in town that holds its own author readings.
Tea Party Joanne Kohler has said:
“This is one of the few books I feel compelled to read again, and I am encouraging just about everyone who walks in to read it. In fact, across the country, many people read a copy, then return for multiple copies to give as gifts.”
I found the book a little too inconsistent and out there for my tastes — you can read my review here.
But I might be alone in that regard, for here are some additional reviews, which glow so bright I might expect them to have been written by the author’s friends. Seriously, reading these is like watching a high school chemist burn a strip of magnesium.
I’m inclined to go down to Tea Party and check out the event tonight and meet Ms. Maxwell herself, who is pretty damn lovable in the early chapters of her book. We don’t have too many books coming out by Salem authors, and I firmly believe in the power of showing up.
Emily,
First, let me say I found your “desperatelyseekingsalem” site and you inspired me to “get out amongst them” more. Your site demonstrates the importance of looking for everyday adventures and searching for the story behind the story.
Before I comment on your commentary of Roll Around Heaven, I must tell you I had the honor of shooting the photograph of Jessica Maxwell for her book and I have a bias. What I can tell you is the light in her eyes is authentic as is her “accidental spiritual adventures.” Did you make it to the Tea Party Bookshop reading to meet her in person?
Like your read of Jessica’s book, I was with you for the first half of your commentary. You lost me when you said her “increasingly bizarre personal miracles…” and “Too many amazing and divine interventions on one page can make one person’s spiritual journey seem a little too easily won.” I heard Jessica speak to an audience of over 70 people at Powell’s last Friday night and I know she did not convey her 20-year spiritual journey “was easily won,” or won at all. As you yourself demonstrate, we are always at the beginning of our journey. As for true miracles, you know one when you have one. True miracles cannot be denied.
Jessica is a reporter in the best journalistic tradition demonstrated by her long successful writing career. I do appreciate that you recognize there is a “larger lesson running through the book.”
That “sparkly red-head” you liked at the beginning is still there as well as the “bumbler who knows that there is much that she doesn’t know.” She is still out there stalking spirit bears.
Again, thank you for your website.
Richard Herman.
Thanks for your comments, Richard. As with all book reviews, my opinion is just one reader’s response, of course. I have since spoken with others who have read the book and who have felt the same as I. But that doesn’t even matter. I think my review gives a fair explanation of what reader’s can expect. As a review, it simply falls in the gray area between “rant” and “rave.”
I have no doubt that Ms. Maxwell is still a sparkly redhead, but I can’t just an author on who she is, just on what is on the page. Her voice all but disappears by the end of the book. That’s a shame, because she has so many gifts as a narrator.
Sadly, I didn’t make it to Tea Party. I’m about nine months pregnant, and by 7 p.m., I’m usually ready to crawl out of my skin I’m so uncomfortable. That was one of those nights.