I have copies of this book to give away to the first three people who post a comment!
Creative people are, on the whole, an interesting lot. Something about their wiring generally rejects a portion of society's norms and surrenders itself to the art that they are called to create. Being given a peek inside that process has always been fascinating for me. The "why" of art holds no allure for me (I understand the idea of being driven to do), it's the "how" that makes me curious.
Clearly, Amy Grant has been called to create. She has given herself over to the process of weaving feelings and ideas into music and words; "Mosaic" is a book that attempts to unravel the tapestry and allow readers to see the individual threads.
Grant gives insight into the relationships that have shaped her personal life and have therefore been reflected in her music. Snapshot vignettes--pulling weeds on a farm, time spent with a friend battling cancer--give a glimpse into the person behind the pop songs. While there is no deep exploration of the creative process here, there is a genuine effort to connect fans with the meanings behind the songs they hear on the radio.
Noticeably absent from "Mosaic" is any mention of the Christian singer's tabloid-fodder divorce and subsequent remarriage. While her current husband rates loving adoration and acknowledgement, Grant's former husband has been all but erased from moments as key as the birth of her children. While I am relieved that she didn't feel it necessary to revisit again the messy and public dissolution of her marriage, this obvious hole in Grant's history left me feeling like perhaps there were other moments in the book being presented with glasses more rose-colored than reality-colored.
"Mosaic" is a sweet read; uplifting in its overall tone, it leaves readers with images of weekends spent at secluded retreats and evenings on porch swings. Lyrics to some of Grant's songs are sprinkled throughout. The overall effect is comforting, warm and homey--much like Grant herself, I suspect.
3 comments:
Very interesting, Mary Grace . . .I *just* told Gil of Amy's book, and I wondered to him if she would address any of the marriage content on either side of the fence. I had decided during the foray to allow her relationships remain in God's care and keeping, while maintaining the good, beneficial edification that her music has afforded me.
The gifts and calling of the Lord are without repentance.
May the songbird sing.
Hi Mary Grace! I would love to read this book. Thanks so much for writing. I really do enjoy reading when I get a chance to get here. It is one of my favorites!
I have been wanting to read this book! Thank you for commenting on my blog, I am so struggling trying to "find my way" to do something...ANYTHING! In Him,
Tamara
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