The Alphabet of Grace [Paperback]

Frederick Buechner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 1989

With characteristic eloquence and insight, Buechner presents a three-part series of reflections that probe, through the course of one day, the innermost mysteries of life. Blending an artist's eye for natureal beauty, the true meaning of human encounters, and the significance of occurances (momentous or seemly trival), with a wealth of personal, literacy, biblical, and spiritual insights, he offers a matchless opportunity for readers to discover the hidden wisdom that can be gleaned through a heightened experience of daily life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Frederick Buechner's The Alphabet of Grace is a small but lyrical volume of essays that moves through a single day in three chapters. It is no particular day, and yet, as Buechner suggests, each day of life is an invitation to be truly alive. "Live a day of it and see," he writes. "Nobody claims that it will be entirely painless, but no matter. It is your birthday, and there are many presents to open. The world is to open."

This gets us very close to the sweet center of this little book--and of Buechner's work more generally. He makes no claims for himself as special; "most of the times I am indistinguishable from the rest of the herd that jostles and snuffles at the great trough of life." But he also knows how to listen, how to pay attention to the small moments of life where grace in fact breaks through. Two apple branches clack together: this becomes the metaphor for the "clack-clack" of his life, which is also the sign of "the occasional, obscure glimmering through of grace." Sometimes, this book reminds us, God comes not in the whirlwind but in the still small voice of our ordinary moments. --Doug Thorpe

About the Author

Frederick Buechner, author of more than thirty works of fiction and nonfiction, is an ordained Presbyterian minister. He has been a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and was honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His most recent work is Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC’s of Faith.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (March 29, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060611790
• ISBN-13: 978-0060611798
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sparkling jewel, August 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Alphabet of Grace (Paperback)

This is a tough little book--beautiful, but demanding of the reader. Like great poetry, everything about the book, including its structure and multiple levels of meaning, work together to reinforce its theme--which is fundamentally "why are we here?" That's maybe the most basic question each of us faces. This book provides a thoughtful, nuanced response, and holds up a mirror for us to respond ourselves. After a couple of false starts, I got through it and it changed my life. Really.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very insightful book...poetic!, April 15, 1998

By 

Joshua Brown ([e-mail]) (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alphabet of Grace (Paperback)

I thought this book was very insightful. Buechner has a way with words that rival many a poet. He crafts his thoughts into images that stirred my heart and challenged my soul. A good read for anyone searching for meaning in this crazy life.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even non-Christians will appreciate this work, May 6, 2006

By 

Neil Down (on your radio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Alphabet of Grace (Paperback)

This book celebrates The Divine in the smallest of things: the movement of trees, the space between letters in a word. It transcends theological and dogmatic boundaries and invites us all to rejoice in all that is God.