Book Review: The Home at Greylock

I will give you my opinion. I don't like this book. Ok, ok, I know that a review has to be a little more in depth, so I'll go in depth. I still don't like this book.

I had heard wondrous praise for Elizabeth Prentiss and her work Stepping Heavenward. Almost everyone that I know has praised that work and highly recommended it. I have it, but have not read it. Maybe that's where my trouble started. I had such high expectations for this book, and they were definitely not met.

The book is about Mrs. Grey, who has much wisdom to offer in rearing children, keeping a house, and progressing in one's sanctification. I purchased the book because of this review:

A masterpiece which explains the task of Christian parenting in story form. The wisdom of Mrs. Grey of the town of Greylock can be yours, and your own family can enjoy a piece of heaven on earth by learning her ways. Read these delightful episodes of those who meet Mrs. Grey and learn her kind, gentle, thoughtful and serving approach to life.

Needless to say, I was looking for help in my parenting and my Christian walk and I thought this book would fit that description.

First of all, I must admit, the style of writing went completely over my head. It was written in the late 1800's and I thought Elizabeth Prentiss was British because of the cultural references. She's not, but New England in the 1800's was definitely a different culture than we have now.

Secondly, I was a bit put off at the constant mention of things -- items that should be valued because of their sentimental associations.

I don't value objects. Some people would most likely say that that is to my detriment. I have wonderful memories of people and occasions, and I try to keep calendars in which to record memories, but if an item is broken, accidentally discarded, etc., I don't usually lose any sleep over it. This book referred often to the sentimental value of items.

Thirdly, I have a hard time relating with people who have maids, carriages, servants, etc. I realize that this was the custom, but it is very hard for me to take advice from someone who truly does not understand my circumstances.

Next, and this is where I really began to dislike the book. Mrs. Grey begins to scrutinize one of her daughters-in-law. This quote from the book left a poor taste in my mouth that I never recovered from. "Frank would not have married this poor, languid, inefficient woman if I had had the faith I ought, "thought Mrs. Grey. "But she is not accountable for gifts never afforded her, dear child." Now, I'll grant you, the daughter-in-law had some shortcomings. But nothing to warrant that kind of criticism. She needed to be taught not pitied.

In that vein, instead of teaching her daughter-in-law how to raise her children (what I thought this book was about), Mrs. Grey takes her children away from her and farms them out to different relatives, herself included, who could do a better job in the rearing of them.

Finally (and this is closely related with the last paragraph), Mrs. Grey intimates to her son that though he made a mistake in impulsively choosing his wife, he is still bound to love her. I agree that he is bound to love her, but to say he made a mistake is going a little too far. Is not God sovereign?

At the end of the book, there is quite a bit of death. Even Mrs. Grey herself dies. And though the characters that remain retain a bit of the grace, elegance and goodness of Mrs. Grey, there is no real application to sink your teeth into.

All in all, what I learned from this book, I've read in one chapter of many other very good parenting books. This was a storybook and not a very good one at that, in my opinion.

Struggling with being a Mom

This morning was rough. I woke up thinking, "I think we'll stay pretty much on track today." I should know by now that when I think that (resting in my own strength) the day seems to go downhill. Schooling's supposed to start at 8:30. I don't know about you, but getting 3 kids, 5 and under, dressed, fed, cleaned up, chores done, etc. by 8:30 is almost impossible unless I'm up at 6 a.m. and everything is prepared the night before. While this is my goal, I seldom seem to accomplish it. Anyways, I lost my temper 3 times this morning before I gave myself a time-out. The Lord's really been helping me in this area, but today, nobody seemed to be aware of what else was going on around the house.

My GB does not talk. At all. He says either "i" or "ish" all day long. In a high-pitched whine. Constantly. This morning, my daughter was explaining to me why she needed help in getting up to the table when my oldest came marching in with a loud, "Mama, I am needing..." Did I mention my GB is always whining in the background? I raised my voice, "Can you both (oldest and daughter) please listen before you speak and find out if any other conversations are taking place? Then you must wait before you speak." They seemed to understand.

Then I sat down to work on my store list/menu. Did I mention that we're attempting grocery shopping this afternoon? As I'm trying to think of preparing food for GB over Thanksgiving vacation, what needs to be made for GB (we're out of his food and he can't eat what we're eating for the next few days), our menu and schooling supplies that need to be purchased for science experiments next week, I hear GB start his panicked crying. I ran over to find my daughter putting a plastic box over his head and holding it on him. I still have no idea why she was doing this, but I lost my temper again (#2).

I then sat my oldest down for math work, told my daughter that I needed to concentrate on my list and to play nicely. This is what I heard for the next 5 minutes -- "Mommy, isn't this a great 2? Mommy, this is the best 7 I've ever made! Mommy, could you come see my circle? It's perfect. Mommy, could you look at the words I made? Mommy, do I need to do the next page? Mommy..." My sanctification, which was already holding by a thread for the day, was lost. "Can't you guys see that I need to concentrate on what I'm doing?! I can't keep answering questions and then figuring out where I am in my thought process again. Don't you see that?" (Of course, they can't.) I gave myself a time out.

I called my husband and he told me that I need to be proactive. His advice was helpful, but it required more brain cells than I felt were available, so I kept myself locked away until I could sort out my thoughts and finish my list. I finally finished it!

By the way, if anyone's interested, I'm starting through a study on anger in my devotions. I've read this book before but I've just recently purchased the study guide and would like to go through it again. I struggle with raising my voice at my children, especially when I'm frustrated and this book is a wonderful reminder from Scripture that that's never appropriate. I'm looking forward to the study. I'm sure my children are too!

Book Review

Wow! I'm enjoying all that the blogosphere has to offer!

Well, if you're around me for any length of time, you will know that I am a book-a-haulic. I'm in no way recovering or in denial or suffering from it. I'm proud of it! My problem is that I'm usually reading so many at one time that I never finish a book in a reasonable time frame. But, guess what? This time, I did! Crystal had recommended this book, so I borrowed it from the library. For me, this is definitely a book that I want to own. The storyline is intriguing, revealing many facts that were never broadcast in the mainstream media. I did not think the writing was exceptional (although I do not claim to be an editor), but the storyline made up for any lack. For a Christian, the value of the book is in Part 3. David Gibbs asks many hard questions in this section. Questions that are truly soul-searching. He points the reader to the Scriptures for the answers and to God for the strength and ability to do what's right. I highly recommend this book!