The Sound of Life’s Unspeakable Beauty

by Martin Schleske, Donata Wenders (Photographs), Janet Gesme (Translation)

Christianity Today  Book Award in Culture and the Arts (2021)

“In the final analysis, music is prayer cast into sound.”  One of the greatest luthiers of our time reveals the secrets of his profession—and how each phase of handcrafting a violin can point us toward our calling, our true selves, and the overwhelming power and gentleness of God’s love. Schleske explains that our world is flooded with metaphors, parables, and messages from God. But are we truly listening? Do we really see? Drawing upon Scripture, his life experiences, and his insights as a master violinmaker, Schleske challenges readers to understand the world, ourselves, and the Creator in fresh ways.  The message of this unique book is mirrored in sensitive photographs by Donata Wenders, whose work has appeared in prominent newspapers and magazines, including  The New York Times ,  Rolling Stone , and  Esquire , as well as museums and galleries throughout the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology, Art, Christian, Music, Faith, Christian Living

368 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2020

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schleske is a lifelong luthier (violinmaker) whose art has interwoven with his faith such that the two are one. This, one of the most beautiful and profound books I’ve read, is his meditation on both.

When a friend gave me this volume, he wisely suggested I savor a few pages at a time. The depth of each page, of each paragraph, of each sentence made it worthwhile to do just that. Over the period of a few months I sojourned through this book.

I found myself copying over dozens of insights, slowing me down enough to ponder each. Here is one: “Humility does not lie in thinking little of myself but in thinking enough of others to serve them.” (115)

Then this: “What is faith? That which takes part in God’s adventure. What is love? That which takes part in God’s resolve. What is hope? That which participates in the world’s loving and faithful development.” (183)

And another: “The only thing that suffering has to say is this: Be there for each other!” (231)

And this: “Jesus did not say: ‘Listen to the following definition of God. It should be your faith. Blessed are those who believe that their doctrines are holy. They will give you rest.’ Instead he said: ‘Come to me, and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls.’ ” (244)

And: “The difference between judgment and constructive criticism is mercy.” (272)

Yet this is not a book of aphorisms. With stories and a rich metaphor tying it all together, we have a deep look at our life in God, and the art of God in us. The beautiful production of the book matches the content. Printed on heavy coated paper and accented with arresting photographs by Donata Wenders, I urge you also to savor this book.

[Chad D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Schleske makes violins. This book is him saying, "Here's what I've learned about God, myself, my communities, and our relationships with each other from making violins." 360 pages of that. The book could stand to be a bit shorter; nevertheless, it is dense with wisdom. I expected art-and-Christianity cliche but didn't get it, instead, was surprised at almost every turn. Vulnerability, the relationship between grace and faith, the positive role of doubt in the Christian life, God's feelings, knowledge and proclamation of truth being subjective witness and not objective law--who knew that one could learn so much about so many different aspects of the Christian life from the relationship between the Bible, the Spirit, and violins? One of the wisest books I've read this year, most useful for living well and deeply, and that's saying something: this year has reaped an extraordinary crop of wise books.

[Becky Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book, full of so much insight and wisdom. It’s rich with metaphors drawn from his life as a violin maker. These weren’t clichés either; they were fresh and insightful, convicting and encouraging. I didn’t always hold the exact same theological views as him, but that didn’t really matter, it stretched my perspective and there was still so much to be gleaned. It took me months to finish as there was so much depth to every page.

There was a lot of detail about every stage of crafting a violin - but I can only admire such passion, expertise and devotion to ensuring they are made to the highest standard and produce a beautiful sound. Who knew just how many factors shape how a violin sounds in the end? I certainly didn’t, and appreciated the analogies between this and God’s work in forming Christ in us - individually, and as one community together - so the sound of our lives is a pleasing symphony to Him.

[Ally Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing read! Never again will I think of violins the same. My prayer after reading this is that I will become the instrument of the King of Kings in His grand symphony! May the sound of my life be His voice in this world. May His beauty shine forth! Extraordinary book! Like a refreshment to the soul who yearns to sing for the King in this day!

[Kara Tomlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10/10/10/10

Guys. 😭 This is one of those books that somehow had to be written for me, right now. If you are my friend and you believe on Christ, I, personally, want you to read this book.

[Patty Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unbelievably beautiful! I'm absolutely speechless...such an anointing! The Lord used this book to ignite a flame in me to create a lovely musical sound with my life. To love in Spirit, to love in Truth. To throw away such religious dogmas that smash other peoples souls because they don't possess the same "churchy" views BUT to hold fast to God's truth and live within the boundaries He's given us and create a symphony with His people that impacts all those around us with God's amazing beauty! This book has truly shown me how to live again after two years of physical trials that handcuffed me in fears. Thank you Lord!

[Tiffany Zavala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a masterpiece I will return to again and again. It is about a journey of a violinmaker and the whole of his process shared in deeply rich metaphors. There is so much to take away. I will treasure this read for a long time.

[木漏れ日 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
Martin Schleske, a German luthier, has compiled a veritable storehouse of wisdom in the form of anecdotes, analogies, aphorisms, and analyses. It's volumes like these that give me hope for modernity (perhaps I should read more non-classic works?).
Highly recommend :)

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read the description of this book, I assumed that it was mostly about making violins, with a maybe a few theological comments. Instead, I was blown away with an extraordinary piece of work by a highly respected luthier and perhaps more importantly for me, a man of enviable wisdom and spiritual understanding. It has taken me well over two months to read the book. That's not a coincidence! I discovered that this isn't a work that you can or should want to rush through.

In the Preface Schleske quotes painter, Friedensreich Hundertwasser [1928-2000]: "Creating metaphors for life -- Hundertwasser meant that the events within and around us long for interpretation. But how can we learn to interpret if we do not learn to truly listen and truly see?" Martin Schleske concludes the book by defining "create metaphors for life": "A metaphor is dialogue between what is visible and what is invisible. Everything creative is a metaphor if we learn to truly listen and truly see..."

[Janell Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Schleske, what a privilege to have spent time in your company. In your craft. A luthier, he is somehow able to, through the metaphor of his craft, his life, speak to the reader in profound ways. If you love metaphor, the details of what goes into making an instrument, and feel a longing to read something achingly beautiful, full of wonder and sadness, much like life with Christ, this book is for you. Many moments in the book left me in tears. Not because its sad, but because the very sound of Life's Unspeakable Beauty overcomes me. Because when juxtaposed with this life's unbearable brokenness and heaviness, it cracks a door into the kingdom of God.
The book itself is heavy. Literally. The pages are thick and made of beautiful quality. For awhile I didn't want to underline anything for fear of messing up the beautiful paper, but I couldn't help myself.
Definitely in my top 5 spiritual formation books.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savored my way through this book, reading just one chapter at a time when I had a block of quiet. It took a while but it was worth being deliberate. There is much to think about, much to be inspired by, much that lingered in my head. I’ll read it again in a while because there was also a lot I couldn’t hang on to. The writing can feel wandering in spots but the depth of the metaphors and the wide range of inspiration drawn together in his ideas makes up for that. It’s probably better in its original German anyway! He draws from a diversity of religious sources, many of them not Christian, but I felt that his commitment to the core truth of the Bible was solid and he used other theological ideas as supports to that truth, not replacements or diversions from it. I’d love to read this one with a friend, or with my daughter. So grateful for the friend who gifted this book to me!!

[Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rare popular devotional that is actually worth reading. Schleske finds in his craft a rich set of analogies for the Christian life, and his meditations are fresh and insightful. I should qualify this; Schleske has read widely and generously but does not seem to be trained in theology, or to identify with any particular Christian tradition. This weakness is especially visible in his deeply felt and probably incoherent views on the suffering of God; analogizing from our experience to the nature of God is always dangerous business. But that does not mean Schleske lacks resonant observations and touching testimony, even at his most intellectually muddled. This is a book I’d commend to a wide audience.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that makes me want to go back and revise my ratings of all other books. I wish I could give it 10 stars. The metaphor of human life being a work of art in God's hands is so beautiful and laid out so profoundly. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to this book by and subsequently participate in a book group with one of my favorite artist/musicians, Sara Groves, and there is so much to say about the conversations this book sparked. I am so excited that Sara is hosting a zoom with the author in a few weeks and I will have the opportunity to hear from him about this beautiful volume.

[Lindsay Mizell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect a book about making a violin to offer such compelling explanations for racial divides, the problem of suffering, the omnipotence of God and a rule of life (and I only stopped typing this list because my fingers hurt). The book’s description calls Martin Schleske one of the greatest luthiers of our time—but I’ll be honest, I had to Google what a luthier was. I cannot overstate how surprised I am by how deeply this book has impacted me. I wish I had more stars to give it. The only good part of finishing this book is that I now I can start it all over again.

[Brad Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most unique books I’ve ever read and has the potential to be life changing. Impossible to read quickly and Schelske is not at all interested in being efficient with your time. Yet for as many times as I became impatient I would seemingly a paragraph later stumble onto a sentence or concept so profound that it would cause me to pause and ask what just happened.

I don’t finish many books with immediate intent to reread but this makes the exception.

[pianogal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is magical. This is the best book I have read in quite a long time - which is saying something because I read a lot. I understand why the translator was so called to get this book translated. I think I would do the same thing - you know, if I spoke more than one language. Highly recommend. Buy it. Read it and then read it again.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author who is a violin maker uses the details of his craft as metaphors for Christian life. I didn’t always appreciate it as much as someone who was more familiar with violins might, but I came away with an appreciation for how the truth of the gospel is adjusted to each individual’s experience, and how each individual should pay attention to how they can harmonize with their community.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a few book that you come across in life that change your mindset and the course of your life. This is one of those. Even if you are not a musician, there is so much insight and truth to glean for our walk with Jesus and one another in this life.

[Libby Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep! Thoroughly intriguing! Profound and inspiring... this is a book to savor.

[Péntek Attila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best I read in the past few years. On these topics most of the books are too dry, too theoretical or too cheap and cheesy. This was a very gentle, unique take on connecting violin making with life and God. This man really sees the beauty of God and not the judgement he brings. If your image of God was shaped just by christian communities, you should read this book, it’s not the usual narrative about him. If you want to fall in love with a gentle loving and caring God, you should definitely read this book!

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has taken me over a year to read and there are good reasons for that.

First, this is a very heavy book in terms of actual weight which meant that I couldn't take it on my travels and could only read it while in the UK.

Secondly, this is a weighty book in terms of content. It demanded to be read in bite-sized pieces in order to appreciate the richness of language and ideas it carries.

Thirdly, this is a translation from the original German and so some of the language needs time to percolate. Rushing would be counter-productive.

Martin Schleske is a luthier – a skilled violin maker. Using the allegory of crafting a superior and specialised instrument, he explores the nature of our relationship with God, the ultimate craftsman who shapes and refines us in order that we can 'sing'; that each of us becomes the beautiful instrument He designed us to be, bringing a unique sound to our life and the lives of others.

I learnt so much about the process of building an instrument, from choosing the right tree from which the wood is taken, to the polish and resin which draws out the colour and enhances the sound of each violin.

A truly beautiful book.