Customer Reviews

Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Poetry

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Regardless of your religious orientation, David Impastato's commentary on, and collection of, contemporary Christian poetry cries out for careful reading and reflection. Major poet's works are presented and discussed with great sensitivity, including Daniel Berrigan, Annie Dillard, Denise Levertov, and Richard Wilbur. In an unusually thought-provoking and often moving fashion, Mr. Impastato organizes the poems around themes that provide a lens through which the poetry can be understood, absorbed, and even cherished. The themes, which include love, presence, death, and injustice, break the bonds of a single religious tradition, rendering the book a rare pleasure for any reader. Even those with limited exposure to poetry, or to religion for that matter, will find much meaningful material in this book. "Upholding Mystery" achieves just that: The reader is rewarded with an exposure to the mysterious, through the poetry, through the discussions, through the themes themselves, that should not be missed. Given the frequently chaotic spirit of our modern times, this clearly written, well-organized book of contemporary Christian poetry offers comfort, intensity, and, yes, still more mystery. For those with any interest in the intersection between poetry and the spirit, this book is a must read. -AK

This book is as close to a masterpiece of its genre as an anthology can get. It is perhaps the first assemblage of "Christian" verse that can honestly claim an appeal to both the Christian believer and to the general lover of poetry. Moreover, other anthologies of this kind have simply piled a body of poems into a bucket and let the reader have at it. Impastato has uniquely conceptualized UPHOLDING MYSTERY in two ways. First, he has organized the material by theme, whereby the reader is taken on a dramatic spiritual journey from darkness to light. Second, he has selected fifteen of the top living Christian poets writing in English today (Denise Levertov passed away right after the book's publication) - poets whose work represents what Impastato calls a "revolutionary core" of contemporary verse. The reader experiences this great poetry in depth and we're led to see how each poet explores and brings to life the evolving spiritual adventure that's set before us. The advantage over the everything-but-the kitchen-sink approach to anthologizing becomes eloquently clear as instead we are offered the riches and fulness of artistic vision. Finally, Impastato's commentary is our constant guide throughout, in language that's gracious and insightful. This is a wonderful, unique book - beautiful in appearance - for poetry readers and spiritual seekers of all kinds.

I'm really enthralled by David Impastato's UPHOLDING MYSTERY, which I received from a special friend as a gift. It's a collection of beautiful poetry as well as a wonderful spiritual companion. Don't expect the usual dry academic catalogue. This is an anthology for the soul. I marvel how different the poets are in their style and point-of-view and how each of them adds to the book's spiritual story. We get to know them and their poems like friends, and David Impastato is at our side all the way like a warm and understanding host. His book has really made me see how poetry and my spiritual life go hand in hand. UPHOLDING MYSTERY has been on my bedside table since I got it and will stay there for a long, long time to come.

I picked up this anthology to read last June, and I haven't really put it back down yet. It's really that good. I keep it by my bedside to turn to continually.

It's a wonderful anthology for several reasons. The selections are excellent. These authors have such an amazing wit. Their images, their insights are simply startling at times. They inspire and (when necessary) condemn. They praise and lament. There is so much here that is useful for spiritual reflection.

Impastato has also chosen many of my favorite poets: Wendell Berry, Kathleen Norris, Andrew Hudgins, Richard Wilbur, and Scott Cairns. Moreover, there are a few excellent poets to whom I was introduced by this volume: Maura Eichner, David Craig, and Les Murray. The way that Impastato has broken up the book-according to spiritual theme-enhances the reading experience as well.

Also, I was extremely impressed with David Impastato's introduction which argues for the relevance of Christian poetry in this postmodern age. The short (usually paragraph long or shorter) reflections which appear after most poems and the write-ups between divisions are also outstanding.

Upholding Mystery is really one of the most valued books in my library. It is, perhaps, the book that I've recommended to people the most in the past year. It's wonderful for both scholarly and devotional reading.

I love this book! I've been reading 4-5 poems each morning as part of my daily devotions. The poems are inspiring both spiritually and creatively. Some are dizzyingly brilliant, plunging me into new realizations about language or some aspect of the world or faith; others make me laugh or evoke cathartic tears. The book is also wonderfully organized and sequenced. Each thematic section coheres in ways that are intensely moving and insightful, leaving me thinking throughout the day about the images and ideas I've encountered. I would recommend "Upholding Mystery" to anyone who appreciates poetic rigor, whether or not they were Christian. In all, it is one of the best anthologies of poetry I've read.

this is for u if u r reading this review. if u got this far, buy this. poetry, inspiration and glory.
Sinners all, we ask for Your forgiveness
As we await the hour of Your return.
If only grace were something one could earn!
Nor can we hope to imitate Your goodness.
The saints know well the hopelessness of being
Put upon the pedestal of faith
As though we had already gained Your grace.
The heart is naked to Your restless seeking.
Regard us all, then, equally with love:
In saints and vicious pederasts find lovers,
Cherishing not one above the others,
Knowing none has anything to prove.

thank God He forgives us in Christ, and to a lessor extent, thank the Lord for poetry.