Bearing the Mystery: Twenty Years of IMAGE

by Gregory Wolfe (Editor)

Since its founding in 1989, Image journal has not only emerged as one of North America’s leading quarterlies but also carved out a unique identity as the source for contemporary art and literature that grapple with the perennial questions of religious faith. / Bearing the Mystery brings together in one handsome volume the best of Image journal’s first twenty years ― the work of nearly seventy writers and over twenty visual artists (some represented on sixteen color plates). / Here you will find short stories that range from unnerving encounters with the miraculous to gritty realism; lyric poems that reinterpret the Psalms and plumb the depths of doubt and faith; searingly honest memoirs that search out glimpses of grace among the difficulties and joys of everyday life. / Among the all-star cast of writers whose work appears Scott Cairns, Annie Dillard, Clyde Edgerton, Patricia Hampl, Ron Hansen, Edward Hirsch, Linda Hogan, Denise Levertov, Philip Levine, Marilyn Nelson, Kathleen Norris, Gregory Orr, Ann Patchett, David Plante, Richard Rodrieguez, Wim Wenders, Christian Wiman, and Franz Wright. / With a special introduction by founder and editor Gregory Wolfe that reflects on the journal’s mission, Bearing the Mystery is indeed a treasure trove. Provocative, haunting, and bracing, the work gathered here demonstrates that ― even in a postmodern era ― the ancient practice of making art to record humanity’s encounter with the divine is alive and well.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Art, Essays

446 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Gregory Wolfe is a writer, teacher, editor, and publisher. In 1989 he founded Image—one of America’s leading literary journals, which he edited for thirty years. He was also the founding director of the Seattle Pacific University MFA in Creative Writing program, which he led for over a dozen years. He is currently editor of an indie, non-profit literary press, Slant Books. Wolfe’s writing has appeared in numerous publications, including the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, First Things, Commonweal, and America. He has served as a judge for the National Book Awards. His books include Beauty Will Save the World, Intruding Upon the Timeless, and The Operation of Grace. He is married to the novelist Suzanne M. Wolfe. They are the parents of four grown children and live in Richmond Beach, Washington.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book -- the rare anthology in which every piece (whether poem, essay, short story) is beautiful and worthy of reading again and again.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book in a thousand. The perfection of these writers' words captivate and enchant me.

Jeanine Hathaway and her clever, witty and serious poem of the extra host she pockets at communion, the host that is much, much more than a mere symbol. She brings the host out into the world and lets it see, "Here's a familiar sycamore tree, this is called a bike. three families live in that house, they are not related at all. One family lives in this one. Yes, I know they could shelter some homeless. (If you prick my conscience I'll eat you.)... Incredibly clever.

Or Makoto Fujimura's "Fallen Towers and the Art of Tea," wherein he beautifully captures the tension of New York City, part Babylon and part Jerusalem, the red maple tree that his son, C.J., helped plant now covered in ash from the fall of the Twin Towers. Our tallest buildings give testimony to what we worship, once churches ruled the skyline, now the buildings of technology and commerce rule the sky. As a result of that shocking day in September, Makoto Fujimura makes his art loft into a place for artists to gather and grow. He calls it TriBeCa Temporary.

Or "Writing as Sacrament," by Ron Hansen describes the coming together of his book. Hugely in favor of Christian writers to avoid overtly Christian themes and rather focus on as Flannery O'Connor suggests rather, "hotly in pursuit of the real."

I could go on and on; there are 43 amazing artists' essays including B. H. Fairchild, Larry Woiwode, Ann Patchett, Lucy Shaw, Daniel Tobin, John Terpstra...

This is a book to savor again and again and slowly.

[Kate Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of these were just ... meh. Some were cringey in how overtly "Christian" they were trying to be - not revealing anything true, but just using the right words. And, a few gems. Definitely not worth reading the collection. Chances are, a glance at the authors list in the table of contents will accurately tell you which you want to read.

[A. Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uneven collection but it's a collection. Recommend it.