Blue's way of reading the bible is seems to arise specifically out of her understanding of the incarnation of Christ - and the power the incarnation holds to break the shackles of religion. Most people read the scriptures as if they were a textbook, looking for specific information they can use with scientific certainty. Blue's approach is not just to view the bible through the lens of orhtodoxy (right thinking) but also through the lens of orthopathy (right feeling) For many of us, the histo... (show more)

Blue's way of reading the bible is seems to arise specifically out of her understanding of the incarnation of Christ - and the power the incarnation holds to break the shackles of religion. Most people read the scriptures as if they were a textbook, looking for specific information they can use with scientific certainty. Blue's approach is not just to view the bible through the lens of orhtodoxy (right thinking) but also through the lens of orthopathy (right feeling) For many of us, the historical-critical approach to the bible deadens the text, sucking the life right out of the living, vibrant, messy, wonderful, blood-stained and wildly beautiful story we hold in our hands. Blue allows her emotions to inform the reading of the text and the result is, quite frankly, a way of reading the bible that creates an interplay between the reader and the text that is wholly absent in those methodologies that treat the bible as a code to be unraveled, as a dry, sterile text to be read, understood and obeyed. This isn't a step by step manual but rather a series of essays that illustrate her approach and each chapter can be read simply for the wonder of the way in which she uses language to bring the bible to life. Highly recommended. (show less)

Amidst the routine mortar and sniper attacks, the loss of water and electricity, the rubble, bloodshed and all encompassing fear that is Sarajevo, a cellist sits on a chair in the street and plays. He sits in front of the crater that was once the city bakery where 40 people were killed by a mortar attack, victim of their desire to do something as mundane as buy a loaf of bread. He is determined to play the same piece of music every day for 40 days to honour them. Arrow is the young woman - a ... (show more)

Amidst the routine mortar and sniper attacks, the loss of water and electricity, the rubble, bloodshed and all encompassing fear that is Sarajevo, a cellist sits on a chair in the street and plays. He sits in front of the crater that was once the city bakery where 40 people were killed by a mortar attack, victim of their desire to do something as mundane as buy a loaf of bread. He is determined to play the same piece of music every day for 40 days to honour them. Arrow is the young woman - a former competition shooter - who is now a sniper assigned to protect him. As her story unfolds we also meet several other residents of the city, some who will live and some who will die at the hands of the soldiers who control the mountains ringing Sarajevo. The question this book asks, in the end, is just this: What is it that makes us human and, given the circumstances, what will our humanity become? A fascinating, beautiful and brutal story that takes you in its grip and simply won't let you go. (show less)