Monday 1 March 2010

Book of the Fortnight, No. 3

I'm a few days behind, yet again (EDIT: nearly a fortnight behind, because the internets ate this post and I hadn't realised it wasn't published). One of the problems with unemployment, actually, is that you lose track of what day it is, what week it is and the like, and so your perception of weeks, fortnights and the like becomes more flexible.



Then again, maybe I'm just lazy and/or forgetful and should stop making excuses. Bad Dobby.



This fortnight's book was nearly another history one, but I've decided to spare you a post on methodology and the interdisciplinary approach for now. Instead, I re-read (yes, re-reading counts, as long as the book merits it) The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, an autobiographical account of the author's experiences sheltering Jews in occupied Holland, for which she was eventually arrested and sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp.



The most startling aspect of the book is the remarkable faith demonstrated by Corrie and her sisters, devout Christians who based their decisions on prayer and reading the Bible. The tone of the book is perhaps a little too evangelistic for some tastes, almost bodering on hagiography when ten Boom talks of her sister, Betsie, who died in Ravensbruck, but the overwhelming impression is one of sincerity and true conviction. The book issues an unspoken challenge to believers to truly put their trust in God; so many of Corrie's actions appear courageous to the point of recklessness, but the strength of her faith meant she was certain that everything would work out for the best.



Amazon informs me that there is both a prequel and a sequel to this book available these days. I'll have to see if the library has them.

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