A Transparent and Transformative Story
A Review of
The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found
Angela Williams Gorrell
Hardback: Eerdmans, 2021
Buy Now: [IndieBound] [Amazon] [Kindle] [Audible]
Reviewed by Leslie Starasta
From the minute you open The Gravity of Joy, Angela Williams Gorrell’s honesty and complete transparency pull you into her story and the stories she shares about others in her journey. Too often the tragedies of suicide and drug addiction seem confined to the nightly news rather than impacting people that we know. Three deaths in quick succession combined with leading a prison Bible study put these issues at front and center for Gorrell when she was conducting research for The Theology of Joy and the Good Life Project. Wrestling with these seemingly incongruent experiences resulted in The Gravity of Joy which is a memoir sprinkled with theology and backed up with research.
Gorrell poignantly shares from her personal life, her experiences growing up, and the experiences of those around her. While not preachy in tone, pertinent scripture verses and experiences common to congregational life are included throughout the book. Readers will nod along with familiarity at specific memories or find themselves signing along when specific songs are mentioned. These familiar reminiscences help to remind readers that these could be their own experiences or those of individuals they know. Gorrell’s descriptions of the women in her prison Bible study, their pasts, and their hopes and dreams, are poignant reminders of their humanity and the need for reforms in our criminal justice and welfare systems.
Due to content regarding suicide, addiction, and prisons, The Gravity of Joy is recommended reading for anyone who knows anyone who has experienced these issues and particularly anyone who may minister to anyone impacted by these issues. Instead of being horrors which someone else experiences, Gorrell draws back the curtains to allow anyone to see the impact that suicide and addiction have on our communities, and the need for prison reform. In addition to these groups; anyone who has hoped to experience elusive joy or to find joy “down in our heart” will enjoy this work. While a thoroughly engaging work that could be read straight through, readers are encouraged to engage deeply with The Gravity of Joy as a slower read, useful for spiritual formation.
Leslie Starasta
Leslie Starasta serves as the Information Services Librarian at Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, IL. She occasionally takes classes at Lincoln Christian Seminary in pursuit of an MDiv. Her interests include spiritual formation, theology, and world missions. Additional book reviews are available at Musings from Librarian Mom: (https://librarianmomsworld.blogspot.com/)
FREE EBOOK! Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
Understanding Christian Nationalism [A Reading Guide] |
Most Anticipated Books of the Fall for Christian Readers! |
Hilarious One-Star Customer Reviews of Bibles |