Customer Reviews

Zermatt: A Novel (Calvin Becker Trilogy)

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

 

 

As a novel, I found this less satisfying than the previous two books about Calvin because the narrative seemed episodic, rather than an expression of a writer's fully realized vision of time, place, and plot. Simply put, the story jumps from one anecdote to the next: this happened, and this, which made me think about ---, but then this happened...

Such a presentation may well resonate with people able to identify themselves with the author or his experiences. But I could not see what distinguishes this from other coming-of-age memoirs written by Western men, except that Calvin's life seems to have become more and more insular over the course of the trilogy.

I could not identify with the author or his experiences, but it was certainly easy to identify the characters and settings described: n.b., described, not created. To most American evangelicals and fundamentalists, Schaeffer's family of origin is well known for its attempts to define and arguably circumscribe the ideal of Protestant orthodoxy. Caricatures of the family in this book extend even to their habits of dress, which is interesting given the writer's apparent agenda of reclaiming his story from the lore of his family.

Much about the circumstances of the author makes me uncomfortable, but I admit that the novel succeeds in at least two areas. First, it provides literary exegesis of the erotic imagination of an American boy. Second, it virtually assures that no further hagiographic treatment of his family and their mission can take place without somehow addressing issues raised by Schaeffer's books, some of which are mental illness and abuse.

The book surely reads differently for those who do not place Frank Schaeffer in context of his family of origin and of a career developed with family support and connections. But my guess is that this ramble is of greatest interest to those who recognize Edith -- er, ELSA in her trim black suit teaching Bible study in the great room of the chalet. So if you do not know or know of the Schaeffers, the book is a fast, uncomplicated read. If you do know or know of the Schaeffers, you may find yourself wondering whether reading the book makes you party to the sin of detraction. I am thinking about that, myself. A lot.

In this howlingly funny follow up to Portofino and Saving Grandma, Mr. Schaeffer again tackles the theme of religious zeal and hypocrisy, setting the backdrop at a European ski resort. I laughed out loud at the unbalanced Swiss maid, the two-faced sister, the manic- depressive father, and drunken English gentleman as seen through the eyes of an adolescent boy.

There is more to this book than the comedy routine. At the heart of this is a question that has plagued me as a believer for years: where is the line between getting close to God and playing God?

Whether you're looking for a bildungsroman, a nostalgic look at Europe in the 60's, or just a good long laugh, Zermatt will deliver.

Despite reading this book in record time, I felt somewhat disappointed. I really enjoyed 'Portofino' and 'Saving Grandma', but this book did not work for me. It is set in the period between the two earlier books, but appears to cover much of the same material as 'Saving Grandma', which I'm sure would make no sense after reading this. There are no significant new characters and Calvin's adventures are covered rather superficially. There seemed to be a lot more religious content to this book than the previous two, which I found rather distracting and did not enhance my enjoyment. The style is the same as the other two books, and if you liked those you will probably enjoy this, but just don't expect too much.

I have fallen in love with Frank Shaffer's "Calvin Becker" universe. The characters are well developed, and his descriptions make me feel like I've spent lots of time in Portofino and Zermatt (Which I really have!) The stories are well written, and give the reader a feeling like slipping on a soft old sweater and sitting by the fire on a cool, damp winter's evening. However, the relationship between Calvin and his best friend, Jennifer, drives much of the plot in the first two books, and Jennifer is nowhere to be found in Zermatt. I missed her terribly because I want to see what happens to the couple as they grow up. (This is supposed to be a "Coming of Age" story, at least for Calvin.) It's clear that the feelings between the two of them are changing as they get older and closer to adolescence. However, the way that "Zermatt" ends leaves us with clear clues that there is more about the Becker family coming soon. I also got the feeling that Jennifer will be there when the next chapter begins. I certainly hope so!

I've read everything America's best writer on all things to do with fatherhood and family has written. Portofino was terrific, Saving Grandma stupendous, and Keeping Faith, A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps touching. But "ZERMATT" is the best yet. You heard it here first: Zermatt will become an American classic. If you realy want to get inside the head of a fifteen year old boy and the inner dynamic of a family driven by religious delusion, this is the book. For anyone who had a powerful mom, a father doing his best to keep up and religion hanging over them all, Zermatt is the book.

Funny, fictional narrative that bears a close resemblance to Schaeffer's real-life family (Protestant missionaries) in Switzerland. Those who grew up in fundamentalist families will recognize many of the stumbles and foibles they endured in their formative years.

I am a huge fan of Frank Schaeffer's first two books in this trilogy, Portofino and Saving Grandma. I find his portrayal of Calvin Becker, the son of evangelical missionaries, to be realistic and comical. Calvin illustrates their lives, with all their contradictions, perfectly, from the perspective of a pre-adolescent boy. I found this third book in the series to be less satisfying than the first two. I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book immensely, but felt that the last part felt unrealistic as it showed Calvin's father "falling off the wagon" of religiosity. I still enjoyed it, however, and would love to read more about this family.

Zermatt was like Portofino gone emo. Chronologically this story takes place when Calvin is 14, so it is the second book. However, it seems to be shoe-horned in between the first two books. I did read this book last.I can't imagine this dysfunctional family recovering enough to be the same family in Saving Grandma. Schaeffer demonstrates absurdity by being absurd. However, in Zermatt the tone goes dark, sad and pathological. The main thing it has in common with other two books are just the characters. This is an adult book with dark themes that should stand by itself. I'm sure some of excesses and pathology does exist in Christianity but when the author uses a family we kind of like and abruptly turns them into crazies, it reeks of the cheap-shot. "If it bends it's funny, If it breaks it isn't" and this story breaks. Standing alone it would be a good novel on the level of Death Of A Salesman or Streetcar Named Desire. I give it 3 stars.

I have enjoyed reading Schaeffer's CRAZY FOR GOD, KEEPING FAITH, PORTOFINO, and PATIENCE WITH GOD. He is a talented writer with an evangelical background like my own, much of which he has turned his back on. I have been interested in seeing the progress of his thought. ZERMATT is a bit too preoccupied with sex, I think: I have not enjoyed it nearly as much as, for example, Portofino or Keeping Faith. The delivery system from Amazon was flawless.

Frank Schaeffer has done it again! His seemingly effortless ability to write both fiction and non fiction is a wonder. He intelligently gives you characters and situations you can identify with and look forward to every next page. Always a delight!
So glad Calvin wasn't limited to just one book.