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Symphony Trilogy #2
A Symphony in Sand
An allegorical poem about a young, betrothed couple whose plans for domestic happiness are shaken by the intrusion of cosmic purposes. A literary adventure in the tradition of Paradise Lost.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1990
44 people want to read
About the author
Calvin Miller
176 books53 followersCalvin Miller has written over 40 books of popular theology and inspiration. A former pastor, he is professor of preaching and pastoral ministry at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He and his wife, Joyce, have two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 24, 2021
The Earthmaker plans to send an incomparable Child to the earth that needs Him in a poetical allegory by author Calvin Miller, A Symphony in Sand.
Ah! Isn't that title a thing of beauty?
Having read the previous book in this trilogy, I already had a feel for the author's style. Still, there were times I got lost in this second allegory and couldn't see the point behind certain developments.
But then haunting passages would grab me and resonate, like:
Hate is bread—baked slowly
In the oven of our narcissism
And eaten with such haste
That we devour our hands,
And never notice till
We reach to touch what we adore
And find our fingers gone.
My goodness. Think about it.
And of course, given the core of this story, the characters sometimes break into ebullient song:
"The vast Earthmaker, cosmic in His Grace,
Has locked Himself within a little space."
"Let every mountain range declare with joy
The lion roars and God is born a Boy."
Readers who'd appreciate a combination of biblical fiction, fantasy, and poetry would do well to check out this author's work.
Ah! Isn't that title a thing of beauty?
Having read the previous book in this trilogy, I already had a feel for the author's style. Still, there were times I got lost in this second allegory and couldn't see the point behind certain developments.
But then haunting passages would grab me and resonate, like:
Hate is bread—baked slowly
In the oven of our narcissism
And eaten with such haste
That we devour our hands,
And never notice till
We reach to touch what we adore
And find our fingers gone.
My goodness. Think about it.
And of course, given the core of this story, the characters sometimes break into ebullient song:
"The vast Earthmaker, cosmic in His Grace,
Has locked Himself within a little space."
"Let every mountain range declare with joy
The lion roars and God is born a Boy."
Readers who'd appreciate a combination of biblical fiction, fantasy, and poetry would do well to check out this author's work.
November 19, 2025
This is a beautiful reimagining of the nativity story. Chapter XVI, in particular, nearly bought me to tears.
June 3, 2017
Fantastic! Miller goes back to the prose, topic and style of the Singer trilogy. This time giving us an allegorical approach to what the relationship must have been for Mary and Joseph, before the birth in the manger.
After the first book (focusing on Adam, Eve and casting out of Eden) to this new trilogy, I thought we were heading down a path of re telling the Old Testament.
However, this story brings new levels to Earthmaker and his connection to his creation. What I like about the poetry of Miller is the allegories are vague enough that it creates this surreal world, the reader is familiar with, but can't really pinpoint making it also completely it's own fantastical world. His more narrative books go into the more bludgeoning on the nose type Christian writing which to me gets old fast, and thus takes me out of the characters and story.
I'm looking forward to the final installment.
After the first book (focusing on Adam, Eve and casting out of Eden) to this new trilogy, I thought we were heading down a path of re telling the Old Testament.
However, this story brings new levels to Earthmaker and his connection to his creation. What I like about the poetry of Miller is the allegories are vague enough that it creates this surreal world, the reader is familiar with, but can't really pinpoint making it also completely it's own fantastical world. His more narrative books go into the more bludgeoning on the nose type Christian writing which to me gets old fast, and thus takes me out of the characters and story.
I'm looking forward to the final installment.
June 25, 2023
Nothing matches 'The Singer' but there are some lovely quotes here.
For any who don't know Miller's books, The Singer - is a life of Jesus. The Song - is based on the book of Acts. Have not read the third book
In this series A Requiem For Love - suggests Adam and Eve and A Symphony In Sand - is Mary and Joseph. Again, I have not read the third book.
All beautiful poetry!!
To a couple quotes -
"The hardest lies which we must circumvent - are those our troubled, unsure hearts invent"
"...Earthmaker, let me now depart, For living is such a temporary art.
And dying is but getting dressed for God, Our graves are merely doorways cut in sod."
For any who don't know Miller's books, The Singer - is a life of Jesus. The Song - is based on the book of Acts. Have not read the third book
In this series A Requiem For Love - suggests Adam and Eve and A Symphony In Sand - is Mary and Joseph. Again, I have not read the third book.
All beautiful poetry!!
To a couple quotes -
"The hardest lies which we must circumvent - are those our troubled, unsure hearts invent"
"...Earthmaker, let me now depart, For living is such a temporary art.
And dying is but getting dressed for God, Our graves are merely doorways cut in sod."
May 16, 2020
Beautiful allegory
December 15, 2021
Breathlessly beautiful. It came like a wrapped Christmas present. “Behold the power of holiness”.
February 14, 2022
A thoughtful book following the first book in the series that explores the gospel story in allegory.
January 22, 2024
It is a great novelization of the Christ story. I live the 'Paul Harvey The Rest of the Story' style of these books.
January 1, 2026
A poetic retelling of the entire stories surrounding Jesus' birth.
November 17, 2008
Not sure where this goes, although it is ostensibly SF. It's written in poetic format and I thought it was quite an impressive accomplishment, although not the greatest story I've ever read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews