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The Storm
The Boston Globe calls Frederick Buechner "one of our finest writers." USA Today says he's "one of our most original storytellers." Now this acclaimed author gives us his most beguiling novel yet--a magical tale of love, betrayal, and redemption inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest. On wealthy Plantation Island in South Florida, an old man waits, Kenzie Maxwell is a writer, a raconteur, a rascal, an altruist, a mystic--a charismatic figure who enjoys life with his rich third wife but muses daily on the sins of his past. Two decades ago, Kenzie had to leave New York because of a scandal. He'd been a volunteer at a runawat shelter, and he'd fallen in love with a seventeen-year-old girl--a girl who died while giving birth to Kenzie's daughter. His older brother, Dalton, a lawyer and board member at the shelter, decided to quell the rumors by releasing Kenzie's note of apology to the press. Kenzie's reputation--and the girl's--were destroyed. He has never forgiven his brother.
Now it's the eve of Kenzie's seventieth birthday, and a storm is brewing. His beloved daughter, Bree--the child of the scandal--is coming down from New York for his birthday party. But his brother Dalton is coming down, too, to do some legal work for the island's ill-tempered matriarch. Aided and abetted by Dalton's happy-go-lucky stepson, a loutish gardener, a New Age windsurfer, a bumbling bishop, and a bona fide tempest, Kenzie must somehow contrive to reconcile with his brother--and make peace with his past.
Infused with humanity, and informed by faith. The Storm is Frederick Buechner's most captivating novel since Godric--a richly satisfying contemporary story of fragmented families and love's many mysteries that will move you, make you laugh, and fill you with wonder.
Now it's the eve of Kenzie's seventieth birthday, and a storm is brewing. His beloved daughter, Bree--the child of the scandal--is coming down from New York for his birthday party. But his brother Dalton is coming down, too, to do some legal work for the island's ill-tempered matriarch. Aided and abetted by Dalton's happy-go-lucky stepson, a loutish gardener, a New Age windsurfer, a bumbling bishop, and a bona fide tempest, Kenzie must somehow contrive to reconcile with his brother--and make peace with his past.
Infused with humanity, and informed by faith. The Storm is Frederick Buechner's most captivating novel since Godric--a richly satisfying contemporary story of fragmented families and love's many mysteries that will move you, make you laugh, and fill you with wonder.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
49 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Frederick Buechner
93 books1,238 followersFrederick 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 21, 2018
‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’ – Mary Oliver
On the surface, The Storm by Frederick Buechner is the story of two elderly, estranged brothers making peace with each other on Plantation Island off the coast of Florida. It is a modern day reworking of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. On a deeper level, The Storm is about flawed individuals making peace with themselves and finding an anchor for their restless, storm-tossed lives.
Buechner’s novel has a cast of characters who are messed-up but real and beautiful in their eccentricities. The chief protagonist is near 70-year-old Kenzie Maxwell, married not just for the third time but also thrice to women of means and unashamedly living off their wealth. He is in exile on Plantation Island owing to a scandal involving an adolescent (Kia) he impregnated while volunteering at a shelter for abused children. He cannot forgive himself; neither can he forgive his older brother, Dalton Maxwell, a lawyer, who takes him to task for his sexual indiscretion. Dalton has previously initiated Kenzie’s involvement in the shelter and feels duty bound to evict the latter from the shelter that unfortunately lost public confidence and funding when the scandal came to light. Kenzie is celebrating his 70th birthday and wonders if he should invite his brother whom he has not seen for about twenty years.
Both Kenzie and Dalton have adult stepchildren who seem content to drift and live life on the fringes: Averill, the 40-year-old stepson of Willow, Kenzie’s third wife; and Nandy, Dalton’s stepson in his early twenties. Averill’s full time occupation is to surf and meditate. Nandy has dropped out of college, does odd jobs, lives in barracks with Cubans, and travels to escape a highly critical and exacting stepfather. There is Bree, Kenzie’s illegitimate daughter with Kia, who is raised by her paternal aunt and aspires to be a ballerina. They converge onto Plantation Island, owned by Mrs. Sickert, the arrogant, snobbish and wealthy spinster who fears death and has no one to bequeath her wealth. She has a wicked bone and intentionally invites her lawyer, Dalton, to the island on the eve of Kenzie’s birthday party ostensibly to work on her will but really to punish Kenzie whom she despises for his shady past and relative poverty.
I believe the heart of this novel rests on Bree’s question to Kenzie on his 70th birthday: “What are you going to do, Kenzie dear, now that you’re so old?” Kenzie does not answer her question. But in the quiet of his room, Kenzie jots down in a letter he writes to Kia that he will continue to do penance. That includes living on his rich wife’s money, attending eight o’clock Sunday services and volunteering at the Old People’s Home. It is clear though that what gnaws at Kenzie are sadness, guilt and shame. What recourse is left to folks who have transgressed and want so much to be forgiven? Kenzie hopes to do better by helping others in need. In totally different ways, the other characters are each trying to define what they wish to do with their lives, and part of that lies in finding acceptance with and a sense of belonging to the people they are haplessly thrown together.
What does it take for estranged family members to stem the course of wasted time and make the most out of the remaining years? As the book title suggests, it takes a storm - a severe tempest that threatens to annihilate loved ones whom one is afraid to love. It is ironic that it takes a storm to quell familial unrest. But Buechner writes with insight into the duality of human nature and its potential for both good and evil. What emerges from these pages is the realization that there remains in our stubborn and hardened selves a soft and tender spot that is redeemable.
The Storm may not be everyone’s cup of tea. There are underlying currents that churn slowly as you turn the pages. However, a reader who enjoys a quiet and reflective (subtly humorous) novel may find this heartwarming. This is my ninth book by Frederick Buechner and he does not disappoint. He is a writer I have grown to love and respect.
On the surface, The Storm by Frederick Buechner is the story of two elderly, estranged brothers making peace with each other on Plantation Island off the coast of Florida. It is a modern day reworking of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. On a deeper level, The Storm is about flawed individuals making peace with themselves and finding an anchor for their restless, storm-tossed lives.
Buechner’s novel has a cast of characters who are messed-up but real and beautiful in their eccentricities. The chief protagonist is near 70-year-old Kenzie Maxwell, married not just for the third time but also thrice to women of means and unashamedly living off their wealth. He is in exile on Plantation Island owing to a scandal involving an adolescent (Kia) he impregnated while volunteering at a shelter for abused children. He cannot forgive himself; neither can he forgive his older brother, Dalton Maxwell, a lawyer, who takes him to task for his sexual indiscretion. Dalton has previously initiated Kenzie’s involvement in the shelter and feels duty bound to evict the latter from the shelter that unfortunately lost public confidence and funding when the scandal came to light. Kenzie is celebrating his 70th birthday and wonders if he should invite his brother whom he has not seen for about twenty years.
Both Kenzie and Dalton have adult stepchildren who seem content to drift and live life on the fringes: Averill, the 40-year-old stepson of Willow, Kenzie’s third wife; and Nandy, Dalton’s stepson in his early twenties. Averill’s full time occupation is to surf and meditate. Nandy has dropped out of college, does odd jobs, lives in barracks with Cubans, and travels to escape a highly critical and exacting stepfather. There is Bree, Kenzie’s illegitimate daughter with Kia, who is raised by her paternal aunt and aspires to be a ballerina. They converge onto Plantation Island, owned by Mrs. Sickert, the arrogant, snobbish and wealthy spinster who fears death and has no one to bequeath her wealth. She has a wicked bone and intentionally invites her lawyer, Dalton, to the island on the eve of Kenzie’s birthday party ostensibly to work on her will but really to punish Kenzie whom she despises for his shady past and relative poverty.
I believe the heart of this novel rests on Bree’s question to Kenzie on his 70th birthday: “What are you going to do, Kenzie dear, now that you’re so old?” Kenzie does not answer her question. But in the quiet of his room, Kenzie jots down in a letter he writes to Kia that he will continue to do penance. That includes living on his rich wife’s money, attending eight o’clock Sunday services and volunteering at the Old People’s Home. It is clear though that what gnaws at Kenzie are sadness, guilt and shame. What recourse is left to folks who have transgressed and want so much to be forgiven? Kenzie hopes to do better by helping others in need. In totally different ways, the other characters are each trying to define what they wish to do with their lives, and part of that lies in finding acceptance with and a sense of belonging to the people they are haplessly thrown together.
What does it take for estranged family members to stem the course of wasted time and make the most out of the remaining years? As the book title suggests, it takes a storm - a severe tempest that threatens to annihilate loved ones whom one is afraid to love. It is ironic that it takes a storm to quell familial unrest. But Buechner writes with insight into the duality of human nature and its potential for both good and evil. What emerges from these pages is the realization that there remains in our stubborn and hardened selves a soft and tender spot that is redeemable.
The Storm may not be everyone’s cup of tea. There are underlying currents that churn slowly as you turn the pages. However, a reader who enjoys a quiet and reflective (subtly humorous) novel may find this heartwarming. This is my ninth book by Frederick Buechner and he does not disappoint. He is a writer I have grown to love and respect.
August 25, 2017
Heartbreaking and delightful. Beautiful adaptation of The Tempest.
June 23, 2010
Sometimes you read a book and upon finishing it you squeal a little squeal, cry a little tear, sigh a little sigh, each in complete contentment. Then immediately you want to read it again. That’s how I felt about The Storm.
It’s the quietly told story of Kenzie Maxwell, a man of nearly 70, thrice-married and kinda of shiftless. He’s had some late success as a writer. But the story is more about the past and his group of loosely related relatives.
Twenty years ago, while working at a shelter for teenagers run by his brother, Kenzie became romantically involved with a 17-year-old girl named Kia. She gets pregnant and has a child, a girl named Gabrielle…called Bree. During the birth, Kia dies.
This scandal forces the brothers apart and Kenzie to leave the city. As so it goes until it comes near Kenzie’s 70th birthday. He’s married now, to wife #3. They live with her adult son on a gated community sort of island off the coast of Florida. Bree, who’s been raised by Kenzie’s sister, has been invited for the occasion. Dalton- the brother, and his stepson, have been summoned to the island by its proprietress…he’s her lawyer. So a family reunion is all but imminent. How will it go off? Dalton’s never harbored any anger or resentment toward Kenzie. Can they be reconciled? Can sense be made of this disjointed family?
This, to me, is what The Wasp Eater tried to be: dreamlike and lucid. Buechner’s style is enveloping and deftly takes you in the heads of each member of this small cast. Much of the book is relating the backstory of the characters, yet it doesn’t have the feel of a history book. It’s distinct, thoughtful and well-crafted, full of emotion and wonder in its own still way. I enjoyed it.
It’s the quietly told story of Kenzie Maxwell, a man of nearly 70, thrice-married and kinda of shiftless. He’s had some late success as a writer. But the story is more about the past and his group of loosely related relatives.
Twenty years ago, while working at a shelter for teenagers run by his brother, Kenzie became romantically involved with a 17-year-old girl named Kia. She gets pregnant and has a child, a girl named Gabrielle…called Bree. During the birth, Kia dies.
This scandal forces the brothers apart and Kenzie to leave the city. As so it goes until it comes near Kenzie’s 70th birthday. He’s married now, to wife #3. They live with her adult son on a gated community sort of island off the coast of Florida. Bree, who’s been raised by Kenzie’s sister, has been invited for the occasion. Dalton- the brother, and his stepson, have been summoned to the island by its proprietress…he’s her lawyer. So a family reunion is all but imminent. How will it go off? Dalton’s never harbored any anger or resentment toward Kenzie. Can they be reconciled? Can sense be made of this disjointed family?
This, to me, is what The Wasp Eater tried to be: dreamlike and lucid. Buechner’s style is enveloping and deftly takes you in the heads of each member of this small cast. Much of the book is relating the backstory of the characters, yet it doesn’t have the feel of a history book. It’s distinct, thoughtful and well-crafted, full of emotion and wonder in its own still way. I enjoyed it.
May 17, 2017
Well, I got about half way through and had to put it down. Perhaps there is a redemption scene at the end but the way to get there is dull.
July 25, 2022
I wanted to hear more of the story of these characters… a sign of great book.
March 8, 2017
Buechner is a gifted writer and theologian. This book is creative, funny, honest, and thought provoking. It shows us characters laid bare in their imperfections: OCD-ish rigidity, greed, grudge-holding, lust, and fear to name a few. But Buechner also combines, even within those same foible-fraught characters, the triumph of virtue, love, family, courage, and the pursuit of truth. If I was an English Prof, I'd have my students in this book yearly. It's a hidden gem, folks; check it out.
August 31, 2012
What makes a novel amazing? Have you ever truly asked yourself that? I think in part is remembering it. When a story stays with you over time you know that it was truly a winner. "The Storm, A Novel" by Buechner I read in 1998 right after I was first married in the 90's. At the time I had mono and this book had become one of those that I read during my "resting in bed stretch" along with "The Reader," "The End of the Affair" and many others. Small, delightful and incredibly personal. You feel as if you are inside the main character's mind and you want to stay there with them. I often think about it and wish I still had this book by my nightstand.
I just added it to my top 25(which is now over 25)and would recommend to someone that is looking for a reflective and quiet book that can stir the heart.
I just added it to my top 25(which is now over 25)and would recommend to someone that is looking for a reflective and quiet book that can stir the heart.
May 28, 2007
This is one of my favorite books I have read to date. Buechner's story is a soul-salve, a heart massage. The beauty of this short work is simple and profound. This novel rings so truth, plumbing the depths of the human experience. Buechner exposes the humanity of his characters, and in so doing exposes himself. I finished The Storm with tears in my eyes only then realizing how much of myself had been exposed in the reading.
October 14, 2012
Having never read Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', I'm sure I am missing an element to this story that might further enhance it. As it is though, it is an excellent character study of fragmented lives - their prejudices, hopes and aspirations. The storm is the catalyst that brings them all together, giving them a new appreciation for each other and a new sense of hope and purpose - redemption, as it were.
February 27, 2018
I'm on a bit of a Buechner kick right now. I was tired a while back of reading meaningless, fluffy books. So, order some Buechner through the local library! Always challenging to read and thought provoking.
This one is the first novel of his that I've read, rather than essays or other non-fiction. The story focuses on Kenzie, an author, and his life. He's not exactly your likable character, but real, in all of the mistakes of life. (Most of the characters are flawed, real humans.) The grace of God through the storms of life shines through, but Buechner never hits you over the head with this, is always subtle, letting the situation demonstrate the truth.
Quotes:
Well, we’ve all of us got lives, the question is what do we do with them. [Thought of Mary Oliver - Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? —Mary Oliver.]
What he as an ordained clergyman had meant was that he had never seen God with his eyes, but…he had seen him in church…in a variety of small ways that were perhaps no less telling.
He had seen him in the faithfulness of the congregation’s coming back Sunday after Sunday…He had seen him in the routine of the service…He had seen him in the powerful men kneeling at the Communion rail whom he could not imagine kneeling to anybody or anything else.
Both the young ones and the old ones were in different ways homeless, and he supposed that in yet another way he was homeless himself. …Maybe what had driven them crazy was their endlessly trying, like him, to find where they really belonged. [When I read this part, I thought of the lines from the old hymn: this world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through.]
This one is the first novel of his that I've read, rather than essays or other non-fiction. The story focuses on Kenzie, an author, and his life. He's not exactly your likable character, but real, in all of the mistakes of life. (Most of the characters are flawed, real humans.) The grace of God through the storms of life shines through, but Buechner never hits you over the head with this, is always subtle, letting the situation demonstrate the truth.
Quotes:
Well, we’ve all of us got lives, the question is what do we do with them. [Thought of Mary Oliver - Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? —Mary Oliver.]
What he as an ordained clergyman had meant was that he had never seen God with his eyes, but…he had seen him in church…in a variety of small ways that were perhaps no less telling.
He had seen him in the faithfulness of the congregation’s coming back Sunday after Sunday…He had seen him in the routine of the service…He had seen him in the powerful men kneeling at the Communion rail whom he could not imagine kneeling to anybody or anything else.
Both the young ones and the old ones were in different ways homeless, and he supposed that in yet another way he was homeless himself. …Maybe what had driven them crazy was their endlessly trying, like him, to find where they really belonged. [When I read this part, I thought of the lines from the old hymn: this world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through.]
May 18, 2017
We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
-Shakespeare
For anyone who wants a solid (but gentle) introduction to Frederick Buechner, ‘The Storm’ is a great jumping off point...and when it comes to Buechner, “jumping off” is an appropriate metaphor...
On his website, Buechner’s writing is said to have seven primary pillars or themes; these include ‘Listening to Your Life’, ‘Faith Despite Doubt’, ‘Hope Through Grace’, ‘Searching for Meaning’, ‘Our Shared Story’, ‘Meaning of Christian’, and ‘Sinners as Saints’. Having read six of Buechner’s books (a tiny dent in his full bibliography), I can confidently agree with this assessment. In each of the books I have read, these seven themes have been evident and given cause for change in my heart.
‘The Storm’ is a strong nod to Shakespeare’s play ‘The Tempest’ and we see the reflection of the Shakespearean characters throughout this story. As in the famous play, the characters of ‘The Storm’ are each searching for meaning and understanding in their own way. We see believers and unbelievers, churchgoers and agnostics, naturalists and humanists, and we see those who aren’t so sure what they believe, but instead follow the whispers of nature and their perception of its spirituality.
For more about this book as well as other reviews, check out http://thegreatcakeadventure.weebly.c...
-Shakespeare
For anyone who wants a solid (but gentle) introduction to Frederick Buechner, ‘The Storm’ is a great jumping off point...and when it comes to Buechner, “jumping off” is an appropriate metaphor...
On his website, Buechner’s writing is said to have seven primary pillars or themes; these include ‘Listening to Your Life’, ‘Faith Despite Doubt’, ‘Hope Through Grace’, ‘Searching for Meaning’, ‘Our Shared Story’, ‘Meaning of Christian’, and ‘Sinners as Saints’. Having read six of Buechner’s books (a tiny dent in his full bibliography), I can confidently agree with this assessment. In each of the books I have read, these seven themes have been evident and given cause for change in my heart.
‘The Storm’ is a strong nod to Shakespeare’s play ‘The Tempest’ and we see the reflection of the Shakespearean characters throughout this story. As in the famous play, the characters of ‘The Storm’ are each searching for meaning and understanding in their own way. We see believers and unbelievers, churchgoers and agnostics, naturalists and humanists, and we see those who aren’t so sure what they believe, but instead follow the whispers of nature and their perception of its spirituality.
For more about this book as well as other reviews, check out http://thegreatcakeadventure.weebly.c...
September 8, 2018
This is the fourth novel I've read by Buechner - the first with a contemporary setting. It's a kind of retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest in which its characters gather on an island off the coast of Florida. It's a fun game to pick the parallels between the 17th century play and the 20th century novel, but Buechner handles the connection subtly in a way that brings unique characters and extra nuance to the plot.
As always, Beuchner's main character has an awkward past that doesn't fit with the usual assumptions about saintliness. The storm itself is a relatively short-lived event but it provides the final catalyst for the plot. An enjoyable read that deals with the pitfalls of human nature and the theme of reconciliation - both internally within the characters and externally with each other.
As always, Beuchner's main character has an awkward past that doesn't fit with the usual assumptions about saintliness. The storm itself is a relatively short-lived event but it provides the final catalyst for the plot. An enjoyable read that deals with the pitfalls of human nature and the theme of reconciliation - both internally within the characters and externally with each other.
November 17, 2019
I wonder who Eddie Bridgeforth is. Lisa and William Bridgeforth donated this book to my local library in his honor. Was he a Buechner fan? Did one of the characters in The Storm resemble him? Was he awake to grace? A beneficiary and giver of it? There must have been a meaningful reason his name is printed on the nameplate. Whatever it is, I'm grateful to him and to his loved ones for providing this story. This reminds me of Brendan, the other Buechner book I read, in that the transcendent shines around the edges, natural events are tinged with the supernatural, and the characters are flawed or sorrowing in some way that draws our sympathies as fellow wayfarers. Other reviewers have done a better job of summarizing the story (inspired by The Tempest), so I'll just say it was well worth the afternoon I spent absorbed in it.
October 19, 2021
I'm not sure how to describe this one. Even though it's about a kind of modern life, it sort of sits above average reality. And yet it's not totally a fairytale. Perhaps an earthbound fairytale with deeply flawed, sometimes heartrendingly troubled characters. More or less it's a reflection on life by those lucky/or unlucky enough to have lived a long while. It meanders and the narrative isn't always clear. That said, every few pages Buechner's unique ability to mingle humor and sensitivity comes out and it makes it all worth it. That, and it's only a couple hundred pages long. A strange and interesting read.
May 5, 2020
This is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's "The Tempest". A fractured family led by two brothers, the root of the fracture a long ago tragedy, gathers somewhat unexpectedly to attend the 70th birthday party of one of the brothers. As a life threatening storm gathers, is there time for the brothers to quell the storms of the past and find a path to forgiveness? A bit of a slow starter, but like the tempest, it builds and builds.
November 26, 2023
3.3 simple and pleasant and engaging. But in the end, was it an evangelical novel toward a belief in the Christian God? Perhaps. I enjoyed the exploration of faith and life, a little of remorse and forgiveness, and some about the nature of living as a state of insanity. An enjoyable prose, but am weary of an author whose purpose is to ground me in their faith.
June 19, 2025
If you have a healthy love of The Tempest-- and if you don't, friend, this reticence ill-becomes you-- you should read this book. It is a really thoughtful, clever, and moving retelling of Shakespeare, and what Buechner does with the various characters is powerful in its own right and enhances the pleasure of the original.
February 10, 2017
My first Buechner! It was a wonderful read. I found the characters believable and complex enough to be interesting. I like the fact that they didn't all "come to Jesus," though the grace of Christ was present throughout.
May 8, 2019
Ignore those who think the story's boring. It's nowhere near as dramatic as genre fiction, sure; but its gripping and truly human. Has some of the realest characters that I've ever come across.
Read it if you want a fresh experience. It's two hundred pages of heart.
Read it if you want a fresh experience. It's two hundred pages of heart.
September 27, 2019
Found this work from Buechner while looking for another book at the library. Since I had read several of Buechner’s non-fiction works I decided to give it a read. I enjoyed the work, had some surprises and some not so surprises but overall a good book. I recommend this work for everyone...SLT
June 4, 2022
I found this little book by accident and was intrigued because I had no idea Buechner wrote fiction. The characters were flawed but obviously searching for a deeper meaning to life and love of others. Kind of like all of us, which gives me hope. I will definitely be looking for more of his novels.
September 10, 2022
Moving Tale of Searching Souls
Buechner does a wonderful job in writing about the human condition. This novel portrays very real people trying to find connection and meaning in their lives.
Buechner does a wonderful job in writing about the human condition. This novel portrays very real people trying to find connection and meaning in their lives.
October 8, 2022
Completed Buechner's 200-page novel The Storm this morning. The story of Kenzie's longing, his pining, for forgiveness, for hope, for redemption, for the metanarrative sufficient to explain the comedy and tragedy comprising our lives.
May 22, 2025
I read this book pre-blogging, pre-Goodreads. Now I am making an attempt to document the books I read for the SOTH book club so I will have a more complete record of my readings for that group. Read: September 2003.
January 5, 2020
Of course, anything by Buechner is good, but the pure skill of his craft kept me reading through the very-slow first half. Fortunately, the second half was quite good.
September 4, 2022
I was disappointed- maybe not his best book?
March 2, 2023
Short read with some good character development, but not really sure of the takeaway
June 5, 2023
Written well. Wasn’t my style.
October 22, 2024
An unusual story
This was noted what I was expecting. I did know where he was taking me. I enjoy his meditations much more. But I want to read more of his writings.
This was noted what I was expecting. I did know where he was taking me. I enjoy his meditations much more. But I want to read more of his writings.
January 13, 2025
Such a big set up for nothing happening. "Two estranged brothers confront each other"? Where's the confrontation? Even when something finally happens, the narration treats it like an afterthought.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews