Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter's Dictionary [Paperback]

Frederick Buechner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 1993

Awry and thought-provoking jaunt through the spiritual terrain of our everyday language -- a lexion of uncommon insight to jar the mind and nourish the soul. "I think of faith as a kind of whistling in the dark, because in much the same way," writes Buechner, "it helps to give us courage and to hold the shadows at bay."

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Faith, writes novelist/theologian Buechner, is "a kind of whistling in the dark," and in this companion volume to Wishful Thinking : A Theological ABC (1973), he once again offers a potpourri of "somewhat antic and most undefinitive definitions," all spiritually provocative though not, this time, just on theological terms. Musing on such words as "Abortion," "Jogging," and "X-rated" as well as "Born-Again" and "Second Coming," this is bound to nudge readers to consider a range of issues a little bit differently. EC
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A spirited and entertaining guide to everyday living, with reflections on such words as born again, jogging, money, politics, preaching, and so on.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 21, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060611405
• ISBN-13: 978-0060611408
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frederick Buechner is the popular author of such nonfiction titles as Telling the Truth, Wishful Thinking, and Peculiar Treasures. The New York Times Book Review described his recently published memoir, The Sacred Journey, as a "beautifully successful experiment." In addition to The Final Beast, which was originally published in 1965, Mr. Buechner is the author of ten other novels, including the bestselling A Long Day's Dying and, most recently, Godric. He makes his home in Rupert, Vermont.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Buechner, June 15, 2001

By 

"rraabfaber" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter's Dictionary (Paperback)

A great starting place if you want to explore Buechner's non-fiction. He has a way of making the deep attainable and the mundane deep. His way with words is remarkable and moving.

In this and other writings, Buechner shares with us his own fallibility in a way that is both touching and disarming and in doing so helps us to deal with our own foibles in a remarkable new way. He never condescends or assumes the spiritual state of the reader.

Start with this wonderful volume, go on to read some of his fiction like 'Godric' or 'On The Road WIth The Archangel', move on to the Bebb Quadrology (?) and then come back to his autobiogrphical books.... heck, then get everything else you've missed.

Buechner is quoted in John Irving's 'A Prayer For Owen Meany' as saying 'Not the least of my problems is that I can hardly even imagine what kind of an experience a genuine, self-authenticating religious experience would be. Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If there were no room for doubt, there would be no room for me." Indeed. This Frederick Buechner is a man who gets us as close to that religious experience as possible without being destroyed.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous, Thought-Provoking, Touching, Never Dull!!!, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter's Dictionary (Paperback)

Buechner is one of the great theological minds of our time, but his writing is accessible without being condescending. In this classic lexicon, he captures the dichotomy of faith and doubt in God. If you enjoy C.S. Lewis' work but have a sometimes irreverent sense of humor, you are sure to want your own copy of Whistling in the Dark!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More solid Buechner, July 25, 2002

By 

kwill10 "kwill10" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter's Dictionary (Paperback)

The third and final installment in Buechner's lexicon-style expositions, Whistling in the Dark looks at words that might not be considered "religious" but that deal with the topic nonetheless. Hitting topics such as abortion, this book hits a bit more into politics than the previous two. Be forewarned that some of the entries are somewhat darker and even a little depressing. Although not as good as "Wishful Thinking", it is on par with "Peculiar Treasures" and superior to most "religious" books available today. This is another one to read and ponder again and again.