A Room Called Remember: Uncollected Pieces – Essays and Sermons on Faith, Love, and the Power of Words

by Frederick Buechner

A Room Called Remember brings together some of Buechner's finest writings on faith, love, and the power of words in the form of essays, addresses, and sermons. Here Buechner explores autobiography as theology, offers exhilarating reflections on biblical passages, and leads us into the "room called Remember," that "still room within us all where the past lives on as part of the present,...where with patience, with clarity, with quietness of heart, we remember consciously to remember the lives we have lived."

Genres: Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Theology, Spirituality

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1984

About the author

Frederick Buechner is a highly influential writer and theologian who has won awards for his poetry, short stories, novels and theological writings. His work pioneered the genre of spiritual memoir, laying the groundwork for writers such as Anne Lamott, Rob Bell and Lauren Winner.

His first book, A Long Day's Dying, was published to acclaim just two years after he graduated from Princeton. He entered Union Theological Seminary in 1954 where he studied under renowned theologians that included Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Tillich, and James Muilenberg. In 1955, his short story "The Tiger" which had been published in the New Yorker won the O. Henry Prize.

After seminary he spent nine years at Phillips Exeter Academy, establishing a religion department and teaching courses in both religion and English. Among his students was the future author, John Irving. In 1969 he gave the Noble Lectures at Harvard. He presented a theological autobiography on a day in his life, which was published as The Alphabet of Grace.

In the years that followed he began publishing more novels, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist Godric. At the same time, he was also writing a series of spiritual autobiographies. A central theme in his theological writing is looking for God in the everyday, listening and paying attention, to hear God speak to people through their personal lives.

Reviews

[Emily Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, incredible, incredible. I always love Buechners writing and A found this book for me and I read it each morning usually accompanied with tears in my eyes. So articulate these pages were with reflections on how we are afraid to remember, to reflect, to sit in solitude with ourselves and our doubts. I cant sum up how lovely his words were so I’ll just paste some of them below 💖

“We are all such escape artists, you and I. We don’t like to get too serious about things, especially about ourselves. When we are with other people, we are apt to talk about almost anything under the sun except for what really matters to us, except for our own lives, except for what is going on inside our own skins. We pass the time of day. We chatter. We hold each other at bay, keep our distance from each other even when God knows it is precisely each other that we desperately need.”

“We’ve had our good times surely, our blessed times. All of us have. We’ve loved a few people truly here and there along the way, and here and there along the way, with any luck at all, we’ve been loved truly in return. There have been moments when we've been braver and wiser and kinder than we thought we knew how to be. Every once and a while a word was spoked that gave us back our lives again; maybe we even spoke such a word ourselves.”

I could go on but obsessed to say the least

[John Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buechner’s command of the English language and his ability to communicate spiritual insights through story is so profound that I have little to offer in the form of my own words, other than to say go read him—you won’t regret it.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is rich like heavy cream and dark chocolate in a small cup. It needs to be be savored slowly; each essay is crafted perfectly so that themes and images are woven together, leading the reader to a place that cannot be guessed, though when you arrive you know it is right. Spiritually this volume has been a comfort and a delight. I would come to an essay with a thought ("Everything is mystery") and in the essay would be that thought, embedded in a worldview that helped me find a way to carry that thought forward and make it active and beautiful. Buechner's writing is, for me, reassurance that I am not the only one who wanders around sensing something great and holy and good in the world that I am too small to grasp and yet am compelled to try. If I had to pare down my book collection to one box for international travel, this would go with me.

[L.L. Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buechner is a gifted writer, but this isn't really my style preference. It is a collection of varied essays, sermons, speeches. A couple (like the essay on the Incarnation or the commencement address) I'd rate 5 stars. Others only 2 or 3. I did appreciate the book. But it is not one I will keep on my shelf - however I will copy the essay on the Incarnation for future reading and reference.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always find it hard to rate collections of essays. Buechner admits in the beginning that this book is a grab bag, and that's true. A couple of essays were brilliant, presenting ideas that stick with me; a few were dry and boring; most were someplace in the middle.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for a college course and recall liking it immensely. I recently ran across it again while digging through some boxes in the pit of despair (a/k/a, my storage unit) and I pulled it out to read again. I'll give a more in-depth update after I've read through.

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another miscellany of ruminations and observations on life by the very quotable master of the written word. I love to start my day with a Buechner essay and a cup of coffee.

[J. Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buechner makes me think of that Updike quote that they put on the back of CS Lewis's books, where he says he read Lewis "for comfort and pleasure." That's about exactly right for Buechner, who is as entertaining and careful an author as I know of, and who also has quite a lot to say on how being faithful is difficult and confusing.

Here's a sentence that did all manner of gentle violence to my seated self when I read it: "The final secret, I think, is this: that the words 'You shall love the Lord your God' become in the end less a command than a promise."

Pleasure and comfort.
This book is a collection of occasional pieces. Many are very good, but the first four especially: the title piece, and then three on the theological virtues. Also, you should absolutely read his novel "Godric."

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to re-read, after several decades, this "uncollected" collection of sermons, addresses, and essays by Frederick Buechner. Buechner's ability to match deep spiritual insights with finely crafted writing is a distinction he holds with few others. A sparkling example of this God-given gift comes from the final sentence of his essay "The Speaking and Writing of Words," where he writes:And when these words tell of virtue and nobility, when they move us closer to that truth and gentleness of spirit by which we become fully human, the reading of them is sacramental, and a library is as holy a place as any temple is holy because through the words which are treasured in it the Word itself becomes flesh again and again and dwells among us and within us, full of grace and truth.

[Joni Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several of the chapters in this book seemed a little slow, & I struggled to stay engaged; but there were more that I had to read and re-read to allow the words to sink into my mind and heart.

“We find by losing. We hold fast by letting go. We become something new by ceasing to be something old. This seems to be close to the heart of that mystery. I know no more now than I ever did about the far side of death as the last letting-go of all, but I begin to know that I do not need to know and that I do not need to be afraid of not knowing. God knows. That is all that matters.”

“We have within us, each one, so much more of His power than we ever spend - such misers of miracle we are, such pinchpenny guardians of grace.”

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frederick Buechner’s book of 18 spiritual essays was published in 1984. The essays are autobiographic and highly reflective of biblical passages, Buddha/Judeo-Christian thought patterns, poetry, and the wonderful works of Hemingway, Tolkien, T.S Eliot, and Faulkner, to mention a few. I found Frederick Buechner’s essays spellbinding. In appreciation for his wit, wisdom, and writing style, I immediately ordered a follow-up Frederick 2016 book “The Remarkable Ordinary: How to Stop Look, and Listen to Life.” (P)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays, sermons and other papers and some are great and some rather boring to me. The very best one in my opinion was the final one, "All's Lost - All's Found". The description of the child within him describes my child almost to a "T". This is a book that is full of treasures for everyone, however, they will be different treasures depending who you are and where in life you are as you read it. Glad I read it and hope to read it again in a few years.

[Stanley Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another work from Frederick Buechner, most of these writings were fresh material. The last work I read from Buechner seemed to be repeat from earlier works I had read, some very worthwhile material that I found myself highlighting left and right. The final essay is fantastic...SLT

[Unchong Berkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how to summarize my thoughts after reading Buechner’s collection of essays and sermons and addresses. I mainly felt like I was settling in to drink tea and ponder deeply. My favorite chapter was one titled, A Room Called Remember.

[Tina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

While we may not always be on the same page doctrinally, Buechner puts in words what I didn't even know I felt all the while bringing us back to the gospel.

This series of essays, will make it in my top 20 possibly.

[Jessie Light-Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up right after Buechner's death and relished every word. Such lovely writing and exquisite thoughts on the mystery of the divine. I felt held by this book in my own season of hustle and hurry, and I know this will have a permanent place in my devotional library.

[Jim Dobbins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about 80 pages in, and couldn't finish. I believe I'm a fairly theologically-thinking Christian, but this was just way to platitudinous (if that's a word) for me. It just wasn't saying anything compelling.

[Hannah Pate Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this slowly and savored it throughout the year. Buechner’s words on life and faith give a glimpse beyond the torn veil. I cannot recommend Buechner more highly to those who wrestle, cling, doubt, and dance through their faith walk.

[Brittany]

Recommended by disappointment with god

[Cara Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good messages, a little repetitive.

[Brett Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the essays were wonderful, others were ok. Overall I would say this is a good read.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some food for thought.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Buechner is one of my favorite spiritual writers. He writes with simplicity, wit and depth.

[Courtney Mauzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buechner is one of my favorite authors. This collection of some of his sermons, lectures, and writings
has in some cases been a challenge to read but always inspiring and thought provoking.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are at least two sermons in this book that will make it worth buying so that I can read them again, "The Speaking and Writing of Words" and "Dereliction."

[Rocky Curtiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frederick Buechner is a balm for my soul, a soothing salve to my eyes, a fount of joy for my heart.

[Brad Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last two essays were my favorite; a fitting end to this strong collection of essays, sermons, and articles.

[Kaity Harms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really like it from a therapist standpoint for a way to use different modalities.

[Ben Fredrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really great essays and the rest are good.

[Graig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love most of Buechner’s books and this one was no exception. He and I seem to think similarly about things. You should read this book if for only the piece in it that is the name of the book.