Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ranging from Chicago to Kenya, New Orleans to Ireland, Big Sky to Graceland, Falsani dons her investigative cap and scouts for grace. This religion columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times is a charming guide to places and people who reveal "grace when and where it happens." Eschewing technical theological definitions, Falsani opts instead to tell how she has experienced grace. And we are vicarious travelers, seeing grace—"audacious, unwarranted, and unlimited"—through Falsani’s eyes. She marvels at the devotion of young people who crowd to the pope’s funeral and at the astoundingly independent women of Asembo Bay in Kenya. She wrestles with anger at a misogynist Tanzanian tour guide and anger at God when her mother and beloved cat face cancer. We traipse along with the author and eavesdrop on her conversations, both external and internal. The result is a pastiche of images meant collectively to reveal God’s grace. Though some may find the premise contrived, only a fierce cynic could fail to be drawn in to Falsani’s tales and candid reflections.

Review

"Ranging from Chicago to Kenya, New Orleans to Maine, Big Sky to Graceland, [Cathleen] Falsani dons her investigative cap and scouts for grace. This religion columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times is a charming guide to places and people who reveal "grace when and where it happens." Eschewing technical theological definitions, Falsani opts instead to tell how she has experienced grace. And we are vicarious travelers, seeing grace -- "audacious, unwarranted, and unlimited" -- through Falsani's eyes. She marvels at the devotion of young people who crowd to the pope's funeral and at the astoundingly independent women of Asembo Bay in Kenya. She wrestles with anger at a misogynist Tanzanian tour guide and anger at God when her mother and beloved cat face cancer. We traipse along with the author and eavesdrop on her conversations, both external and internal. The result is a pastiche of images meant collectively to reveal God's grace. Though some may find the premise contrived, only a fierce cynic could fail to be drawn into Falsani's tales and candid reflections." — Publishers Weekly

(Publishers Weekly )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1 edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031027947X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310279471
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #259,361 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars helpful, delightful and grace-filled, October 13, 2008

By	Leah Chang - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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If along with most people you've ever wondered what God possibly could do to transform your pitiful attitudes and pathetic lack of alignment with the demands of the commands, this collection of stories from Chicago Sun-Times religion columnist Cathleen Falsani's recent peregrinations will give you hope and keep you keepin' on, since God lovingly reigns with showers of mercy-filled grace, no matter who, no matter what, no matter when.

On page 57 Cathleen cites a couple of "grace" examples that especially resonate with me: "Sometimes it's having the guts to rebuild, to take a chance, to follow your nose and your heart rather than your head." "Sometimes grace is finding out that your preconceived notions are dead wrong." "And sometimes it's a bowl of watermelon gazpacho when you were expecting Taco Bell."

Discussing the possibility of following precise recipes for spiritual and religious experience and renewal (there aren't any), Cathleen described herself as "rhubarb pie with pistachio ice cream," making me wonder how to describe myself in food, and maybe how I'd describe some of the people I've met.

Cathleen's book chronicles God's "audacious" grace, as she sometimes styles it; and in its free, elusive, characteristically unanticipated and unexpectedness, Grace is audacious, bold and wild. But just as much, grace often is physically tastable, audible, visible, aromatic and touchable: incarnate and enfleshed; in that case, where can grace lead us? What is our response in the Spirit to the Divine Image in which we've been created?

I predict you'll enjoy this book, you'll recommend it and you'll probably want to read it again!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bold, Ironic, and brave, August 23, 2008

By	J. Bluestein - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Whether reflecting on the urgency of morality or contemplating her own response to the death of (overly) moralizing televangelists, Cathleen Falsani is a rare creature who lives in the real world, struggles to reconcile herself with what's spiritually possible, celebrates moments of grace, and isn't afraid to tell the rest of us about it. My favorite essays in this book are "Oh, Henry" and "Annus Horribilus", which are wry, self-knowing, beautifully rooted in the real details of life (yes, a tree can be that important), and ultimately reflect Falsani feeling at peace in her own life and achingly aware of the lives around her. This is one ironic, hilarious, grouchy, red-wine-drinking-and-convertible-driving adventuress and this book is an unflinching look at her own life, a welcoming gesture to the rest of us, and great read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous and wonderful, August 16, 2008

By	Kyliegirl - See all my reviews

I loved the essays in this book--thoughtful, intelligent, and filled with grace. If you need faith boost (or a total realignment) this is a great place to start.