Thin Places: A Memoir [Paperback]

Mary E. DeMuth (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 26, 2010

In this moving spiritual memoir---Thin Places---Mary DeMuth traces the winding path of thin places in her life, places where she experienced longing and healing more intensely than before. From surviving abuse as a latchkey kid to discovering a heavenly Father who never leaves, Mary's story invites you to a deeper understanding of your own story. She calls you to discover new ways to look for God in the past so that you might experience him more profoundly in the present. What if you could retrace your life and discover its thin places---places where the division between this world and the eternal fades? 'Thin places are snatches of holy ground, tucked into the corners of our world, where we might just catch a glimpse of eternity. They are aha moments, beautiful realizations, when the Son of God bursts through the hazy fog of our monotony and shines on us afresh. He has come near to my life. I will tell you how.'

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fiction (Watching the Tree Limbs) and nonfiction (Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture) author DeMuth revisits supremely challenging and emotionally transformative junctures in her life as she reveals the childhood sexual brutalities of which she was a victim, the confounding death of her biological father, and ongoing years of neglect and parental irresponsibility with which she had to cope. DeMuth, whose fiction consistently evokes deep responses from her loyal fan base, has succeeded in offering a comparably powerful memoir by telling her own story with honest courage. At every signpost, the author presents life as it is, even when the offering is ugly. Despite the bitterness and anger that could naturally characterize her, the author clings to her faith in God and his goodness, deriving victory over her circumstances. DeMuth writes, "God sees," and in this recalling of her early childhood pain, she sees, and is seen by, a faithful divine Father who provides refuge. END

Review

Fiction (Watching the Tree Limbs) and nonfiction (Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture) author DeMuth revisits supremely challenging and emotionally transformative junctures in her life as she reveals the childhood sexual brutalities of which she was a victim, the confounding death of her biological father, and ongoing years of neglect and parental irresponsibility with which she had to cope. DeMuth, whose fiction consistently evokes deep responses from her loyal fan base, has succeeded in offering a comparably powerful memoir by telling her own story with honest courage. At every signpost, the author presents life as it is, even when the offering is ugly. Despite the bitterness and anger that could naturally characterize her, the author clings to her faith in God and his goodness, deriving victory over her circumstances. DeMuth writes, 'God sees,' and in this recalling of her early childhood pain, she sees, and is seen by, a faithful divine Father who provides refuge. (Feb.) -- Thin Places: A Memoir <br><br> (Thin Places: A Memoir )

'Well known fiction author, Mary DeMuth open her heart in her moving memoir, Thins Places, an unflinching look at her childhood sexual abuse, death of her father, and years of parental neglect that somehow still shows God's ever-present hand of love and healing. Throughout the messiness of life, Mary continually finds 'thin places,' evidences of where God breaks through her pain and brokenness with his love and mercy. Striving to comfort others with the Divine comfort she has received, Mary's Thin Places shines as a hopeful light for anyone who is struggling to overcome unspeakable wounds from the past' -- Significant Living Magazine <br><br> (Significant Living Magazine )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (January 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031028418X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310284185
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (198 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a freelance writer and novelist living in Texas with my husband of twenty-two years and my three wonderful children.

I have been writing since 1992, first as a newsletter editor, then as a freelance writer, followed by a fiction and nonfiction author. My articles have appeared in Marriage Partnership, In Touch, HomeLife, Discipleship Journal, Pray!, Bon Appetit, Kindred Spirit, The Writer, and Writer's Digest. For two years I penned a lifestyle column for Star Community Newspapers in Dallas (circulation 100,000).

My books include

Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God (Harvest House, 2005),
Building the Christian Family You Never Had (WaterBrook, 2006),
Watching the Tree Limbs, Wishing on Dandelions (NavPress, both novels releasing in 2006),
Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (Harvest House, 2006),
Daisy Chain, A Slow Burn (Zondervan 2009), Life in Defiance (Zondervan 2010),
Thin Places: A Memoir (Zondervan 2010),
150 Quick Questions to Get Your Kids Talking (Harvest House 2011),
You Can Raise Confident and Courageous Kids (Harvest House, 2001)
The Muir House (Zondervan 2011),
Beautiful Battle (Harvest House 2012),
Around the Word in 60 Seconds (Tyndale, 2012),
Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus (Thomas Nelson 2012).

Thankfully I'm more than my books. I love to cook, try my hand (body!) at triathlons, have a nose ring, and am passionate about singing. I'm a gardener and love to decorate. And right now I'm training for a half marathon (though I might just die in the process.)

I love to help people live uncaged lives and blog about it five times a week at http://www.marydemuth.com. My facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/authormarydemuth and you can follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/marydemuth

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable January 25, 2010

By Jeanette Morris

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Life is messy." My pastor says that often. Most people nod their heads in agreement and then live out their lives, as Thoreau wrote, in "quiet desperation." Few are willing to let others step into their messiness. Mary DeMuth's memoir, "Thin Places," not only allows us in, but draws us into the places where God embraced her raggedy, disheveled, and chronically needy, blessed soul.

The book was unputdownable--from the introduction (which, by the way, was my favorite part!) to the last word. Mary's writing craft is impeccable. Seamless...flowing and clear. An editor's dream. So flawless I could take off my editor hat and be simply an eager reader.

The biggest surprise came when I found myself in the pages of someone else's life. I could relate to so many of the thin places where God met Mary and brought her along and through and over the hurdles and sufferings of her childhood and youth. Those slobbery kisses from over-eager boys. That yearning for a date...for a boyfriend...for fatherly affection. Keeping secrets. Compromising to fit in. Ugh! Those stuffed-down memories that remind us of our insecurities and less-than-stellar decisions. Why go there?

She tells us why: To unmask our humanity--our frailty--and thereby removing the power our messiness tries to hold over us. To reveal the God who sees, who cares, who redeems even the worst of sins and sinners. She exposes her pain--not to gain our sympathy, but to extend her hand as a fellow sufferer who wants our journeys to become stronger for knowing hers.

She succeeds.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Meeting God In The Thin Places Between Heaven And Earth December 6, 2009

By C. Hutton

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Mary DeMuth has written a beautiful Christian memoir. Growing up in the 1970's with her emotionally distant and thrice married mother, the author tries to understand the death of her father and the sexual abuse she endured from local boys. She is heart-breaking confessional in the same manner that Mary Karr was in her memoir "Lit" (without the profanity). She acknowledges her "daddy wound," her emotional neediness, and the parts of her life that have yet to be healed. She examines her painful past in the light of the Gospel. A quick read at 200+ pages, there is much here that will bring the reader back again and again.

39 of 46 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars If you are a strong believer in Jesus/God/Religion, then I'm sure you'll think this book is great, however... July 13, 2011

By Jana

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This woman's story is eye opening and she was very strong and brave to share it with everyone. However, reader beware that she ties every aspect of her life in this book back to Jesus and God usually tying in biblical references and the like. I knew there was a religious note in this book, I didn't realize it would be brought into play every chapter. I currently struggle with my religious beliefs so I had a major disconnect every time the author went there, and she went there a lot. Just a warning to others more like me who may not realize that this is a heavily religious book.