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"The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead is a magnificent novel chronicling a young slave's adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South. See more
As documented in "A Severe Mercy", Mr. Vanauken had a marriage eHarmony would love to guarantee its clients. He and Davy enjoyed one of the most unique and intimate matrimonial relationships that I know of, Christian or secular. Unfortunately, he lost his beloved to a mysterious illness after only seventeen years of marriage. "Under the Mercy" is the sequel to "A Severe Mercy," and it's the chronicle of his life from Davy's death in mid-century to his Catholic conversion in the early 1980s.
"Under the Mercy" recaps some of "A Severe Mercy" to brief those who haven't read it. But I'd recommend checking out "A Severe Mercy" first so you can appreciate where Mr. Vanauken's coming from. Indeed, his life as documented in both books is quite fascinating. I enjoyed reading how his relationship to God, along with his presuppositions, are refined or altered throughout the years. He also includes some excellent essays on topics ranging from women's lib to a Turtledoveish look at a Southern victory in the Civil War. His gradual shift from the Anglican Church into the Catholic tradition is quite intriguing as well, especially since the writings of C. S. Lewis influenced his decision. Overall, I found his sense of grace and humor to be exemplary. He is a true gentleman in an age where few can claim that title.
However, Mr. Vanauken works out his salvation in ways that might tweak some conservative readers. For example, his experimentation with pot and LSD in the sixties won't win him many points with many in the Dobson crowd. He also demonstrated against the Vietnam War, albeit in a peaceful and reasonable fashion. But for those who have issues with Mr. Vanauken's actions, who among us is able to cast the first stone?Read more ›
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Under the Mercy, a sequel to A Severe Mercy, is a fine mix of memoir and essays from the times discussed. Stylistically, it is less like a straightforward memoir (as A Severe Mercy was), and more like Newman's Apologia. The style is complex, and in the middle of the book the writing loses some of its quality (though the book revives for a very stirring ending). That said, the work displays a razor wit and stunning satirical ability that A Severe Mercy did not suggest Mr. Vanauken possessed. It shows a new side of Vanuken, and shows him developing as an author. The book also has Vanauken's accustomed emotional power, and if it is not quite as perfect as A Severe Mercy, it certainly has greater range in theme, tone, and style. A worthy work in its own right.
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This book is a sequel to A SEVERE MERCY. It does not possess the writing unity of the first book, but is more like a collage or scrapbook. It will be interesting reading for all those who loved A SEVERE MERCY. I do not recommend reading UNDER THE MERCY, though, unless you have read A SEVERE MERCY first.
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Fans of Vanauken's first work, A Severe Mercy, will find the same light, honest writing that captivated them, but this book lacks the emotional draw of the original.
This book takes the same introspective memoir approach, but the writing is more concerned with issues than with the relationships and narrative that carried the original. The strongest and most compelling chapters are on Vanauken's view of the roles of men and women, and on his shift from a catalyst for the feminist movement to a thoroughgoing complementarian.
Vanauken also shares, with his characteristic honesty, about his experimentation with drugs and his involvement with the war protest movement. Throughout, there is a chronicle of Vanauken's slow shift from the Anglican Church to the Catholic Church. Although Vanauken shares every step in his reasoning, many Protestants will not look kindly on his conclusion that all believers outside the Catholic Church are in rebellion against the true faith.
I'd recommend this book only if you greatly enjoyed Vanauken's style in A Severe Mercy and want more of his introspective approach to faith.
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Beautiful and lyrical, the perfect sequel to Vanauken's masterpiece, A Severe Mercy. Under the Mercy also contains a moving apologia [note: that's apologia, NOT apology] for his conversion to Roman Catholicism in the latter years of his life.
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It was well worth reading, very detailed and thorough regarding the issues of the sixties and our christian faith. It was illuminating also to know what the author went through in thinking through the truth of the Church.
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'A Severe Mercy' was a fascinating and moving book, where Sheldon Vanauken chronicled his remarkable love affair and marriage to his wife Davy. They had a truly unique story, and for a fan of C.S. Lewis it was a bonus to read of his influence on their life and journey of faith.
The problem with 'Under the Mercy' is that it becomes obvious that the most interesting thing about Vanauken was Davy. This memoir detailing his life after she passed away rambles on without providing much to compel our interest. It does show the movement of a Christian intellectual through the turbulent period of the '60s and '70s, and he is an astute social observer, but the only reason to follow his story particularly is the residual interest from 'A Severe Mercy'. The later parts of the book are dedicated to a defense of his conversion to Roman Catholicism, and despite the sincerity of his journey it becomes a bit tedious and long-winded. I would recommend that fans of 'A Severe Mercy' avoid reading this book unless they absolutely must find out what happened to Sheldon afterwards. May he rest in peace.
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