Customer Reviews

Providence: The Story of a Fifty-Year Vision Quest

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

_Providence_ takes _Ishmael_ to a whole new level by explaining what you can do with yourself after _Ishmael_. Quinn explains that the reason for this work is to fill the void that _Ishmael_ leaves: if it shattered your beliefs (in a good way, of course), _Providence_ gives you something to take its place.

After reading Quinn's first four books, this was welcome, because for me, it fills the void that _Beyond Civilization_ tries to work into, but somehow fails. Many people complain that Quinn never tells you what to do wth these new ideas in his books, and here, he gives the reader ways that he has made them work. I found it very easy to take them and mesh them with my own interests. To find out Quinn's entire argument for saving ourselves and our planet, it's really necessary to read his five major books - if you read this one last, it brings the whole argument together nicely. He just doesn't give you an easy way out. You have to find it for yourself.

For those of you who were also stunned and fascinated by Daniel Quinn's Ishmael, this book is required reading. It tells the marvelous story of how Quinn came to be the man who could write Ishmael. Part mystery, part comedy, Providence keeps you wondering how the story of Quinn's life will end (not completely, of course, just up to the writing of Ishmael). Written in an easy conversational style, Providence is the essential sequel to Ishmael, because it provides an extension and context for the ideas introduced in Ishmael. Read Ishmael first, and then you will read this book over and over again

I actually read this book last in the Quinn series. Most people read them in order, starting with Ishmael, then Providence, The Story of B, My Ishmael, Beyond Civilization etc... I skipped Providence because I didn't have the kinds of questions Quinn wrote providence to answer. However, after reading his lastest novel "The Holy" I did have questions. I felt I wanted to know more about the man and his vison and I got this and much more from "Providence". This isn't fiction and Quinn pulls no punches here. An Incredibly moving testament to the animist worldview.

Being a Quinn fan, it should come as no surprise that I snapped up this book immediately. It should also come as no surprise that I loved it. Quinn's description of the world on fire brought tears to my eyes...he had had the experience I suspected I too could have. His journey is his own, and I will have my own, my reading about his journey once again reminds me of the joy of being alive, of discovering who you really are.

Providence is a worth while book if you are a fan of Daniel Quinn and would like to know where Ishamel came from in his life. It is definately not on the same level as Ishamel, My Ishmael, The Story of B or Beyond Civilization, but it is an interesting look into the man behind the books...

If you are fan of Daniel Quinn (I am) then you will be interested to see his background. His monastic life seems more like an attempt to hide from the problems of the world than a desire to serve God, and he recognizes it. If you want to read the story of how a man could get from feeling as powerless and victimized as the rest of the world to finally seeing alight at the end of the tunel, this is your book. If you want to know what the light looks like for yourself: read Ishmael, The Story of B or My Ishmael.

I know MY eyes were opened real wide by Ishmael, and I found this "story of how Ishmael came to be written" very illuminating. When you realize that Ishmael is the result of fifty years of vision-questing, and not just a quick novel Quinn typed up in response to Ted Turner's offer, it brings about even more respect for the great work Ishmael actually is. I highly recommend this to all fans of Ishmael.

What are the forces that shaped and molded the man Daniel Quinn to write such works as Ishmael and other moving texts of how life is to be lived? Quinn partially addresses that question in this brief tome of reflection. Quinn takes us on a backward look at the man that he was and the man that he became through two major incidents of his life; a dream as a six year old and a flirtation with the monastic life in a Trappist monastery.
Providence is funny, conversational and holds nuggets of information about a life of low self-esteem, questions about one's sexuality,failed marriages and trying to achieve perfection. Daniel Quinn paints a picture of a young man struggling to accept himself for whom and what he is. If you are a fan of Quinn's previous works this book will further affirm your loyalty to his books.
If you have read Quinn, appreciated his works and were looking for more depth and insight about the author, Providence will be disappointing. His memoir doesn't deal with any significance about his life under alcoholic parents, a indifferent brother and his formation under Catholicism. You will spend much of the time reading about how Ishmael came into being and less time knowing how Quinn came into being. Is Providence a great spiritual memoir rivaling that of other spiritual questors? No. Quinn needs to provide more depth. It is a good read but don't look for anything profound.

In PROVIDENCE Daniel Quinn discusses what some might call the religious side of the ideas in his bestseller ISHMAEL. In this book, his autobiography, he talks about his childhood, his adolescence, his experience with the Catholic Church and his personal experience with Thomas Merton and the Trappist order. He talks about his years in educational publishing and how he began to work out the ideas that found their expression in ISHMAEL. In the process he delves deeply into his personal religious vision of the world. This is a very valuable work that gives people the opportunity to re-think their religious beliefs. Several people have said that Quinn has finally shown them a religion they can love. The way that Quinn lays out his life and ideas is unique and very intriguing.

Details on how Quinn's life shaped the unique perspective he has challeenged the world with. Ideas that people have either said were so simple that they wish they had thought of them first or ideas so unique that no one had ever conceived them possible. Uplifting in its detail and profound in its implications to the readers own life. Highly recommended.