I was just listening to this episode and wanted to say how much I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion. It is, for me, the icing on the Close Reads cake that y'all are Orthodox. ❤️
Heidi’s comments on patience, and replacing intrusive/anxious thoughts with virtuous ones, and prayers, and endurance through the process of growth - best sermon I’ve heard in ages! Thank you.
I also had to read ahead. This book joined Laurus, My Name is Asher Lev, and The Great Passion as my 5 star Close Reads books. Such a pleasure to read.
I've been thinking about how sweet it is when a book or author comes to you midlife. I've gone on to read Niall Williams "John" and "Four Letters of Love." The later is nascent Williams--it's good but it doesn't soar like his later prose. But "John," --when I think of the color of the cover of that book, I am transported to the island of Patmos. Williams is a master of evoking mood, weather, and place. Well, all that to say--so thankful for this community and new-to-me books like "The Feast" that add depth and delight to my day-to-day journey.
With the discussions of vice and virtue, I appreciate that Kennedy has children offset the vices of their parents (Hebe’s spartan club in response to Gluttony and the Cove’s dream of hosting a feast to balance their mother’s avarice). In this way, she highlights the need for both fasting and feasting in the proper season. The growing friendship between Hebe and the Cove girls underlines that important truth.
It seems Margaret Kennedy chose to have only older characters represent the vices. Is she saying that younger people have time to grow but older people can get stuck in their ways without hope for change?
I would argue that any of the characters can choose to change, but those who are hardened to their vices would have a more difficult time choosing redemption and grace.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This discussion pointing out the characters who displayed the corresponding virtues was helpful. That seems more subtle in the novel than the the sins of the seven, and I had failed to see the strength they had to bear up against the harm done to them. I also appreciated Heidi's sharing of how the virtues can help us come to terms with and live faithfully in a fallen world and the need for prayer and repentance to acknowledge my part in it. I was reminded of Paul's instruction to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and praise. I have one question, however. Does the book recognize grace and redemption? Is it Christian enough?
I loved the reading you did together:) And I love that you made us aware of the deadly sins theme.
Now that we are aware of the theme, I would love to hear more about the book itself as we continue. The ‘happenings’ and speculations, maybe? Forgive me if I’m
I was just listening to this episode and wanted to say how much I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion. It is, for me, the icing on the Close Reads cake that y'all are Orthodox. ❤️
So when I read it I thought the glass filings arefor her. I never thought it being for him.
Same.
Heidi’s comments on patience, and replacing intrusive/anxious thoughts with virtuous ones, and prayers, and endurance through the process of growth - best sermon I’ve heard in ages! Thank you.
Yes! And how repeated prayers "colonize the mind."
I also had to read ahead. This book joined Laurus, My Name is Asher Lev, and The Great Passion as my 5 star Close Reads books. Such a pleasure to read.
I've been thinking about how sweet it is when a book or author comes to you midlife. I've gone on to read Niall Williams "John" and "Four Letters of Love." The later is nascent Williams--it's good but it doesn't soar like his later prose. But "John," --when I think of the color of the cover of that book, I am transported to the island of Patmos. Williams is a master of evoking mood, weather, and place. Well, all that to say--so thankful for this community and new-to-me books like "The Feast" that add depth and delight to my day-to-day journey.
With the discussions of vice and virtue, I appreciate that Kennedy has children offset the vices of their parents (Hebe’s spartan club in response to Gluttony and the Cove’s dream of hosting a feast to balance their mother’s avarice). In this way, she highlights the need for both fasting and feasting in the proper season. The growing friendship between Hebe and the Cove girls underlines that important truth.
It seems Margaret Kennedy chose to have only older characters represent the vices. Is she saying that younger people have time to grow but older people can get stuck in their ways without hope for change?
I would argue that any of the characters can choose to change, but those who are hardened to their vices would have a more difficult time choosing redemption and grace.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This has been such an enjoyable discussion so far. It lends itself so well to both a “low” discussion of the characters and their actions and their faults and to a loftier discussion of the vices and the virtues.
This discussion pointing out the characters who displayed the corresponding virtues was helpful. That seems more subtle in the novel than the the sins of the seven, and I had failed to see the strength they had to bear up against the harm done to them. I also appreciated Heidi's sharing of how the virtues can help us come to terms with and live faithfully in a fallen world and the need for prayer and repentance to acknowledge my part in it. I was reminded of Paul's instruction to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and praise. I have one question, however. Does the book recognize grace and redemption? Is it Christian enough?
I loved the reading you did together:) And I love that you made us aware of the deadly sins theme.
Now that we are aware of the theme, I would love to hear more about the book itself as we continue. The ‘happenings’ and speculations, maybe? Forgive me if I’m
overstepping.
https://youtu.be/6AtR9-RVxD4?si=jusfwPpy1hq4X54K
In the beginning I hated this book because of all the nasty characters. Thanks for encouraging me to continue on. I now agree with you. It is great!
I loved this book!! I went ahead and finished it.