It would be easy to dismiss Tim Crothers's The Queen of Katwe as just another feel-good, underdog triumph tale. And, make no mistake, it is exactly that - but it's a darn good one all the same. If a person can live in the most abject poverty and disadvantage imaginable and yet rise to junior chess champion of her continent, maybe we all can dare to hope. Maybe we all can take inspiration from Phiona Mutesi and do something with our lives, accomplish something during our brief stay on earth.
As you'd expect, though, the book lacks nuance and complexity where it needs it most. The author states in the epilogue that, upon writing a magazine article on Phenomenal Phiona, he knew he must expand it to book length and tell the whole story. Now, the book will only do good for Phiona (and possibly others in Katwe), but the story (at least as Crothers relates it) should have remained in the periodical realm.
He spends the crucial second chapter telling the rather confusing life story of the man who came to run the program that introduced Phiona to chess, and many other parts drag on as filler to take a rather simple story to book length. At the same time, Crothers pays no attention to the political realities of Uganda that foster the slums which make Phiona the rare exception to the rule of degrading and desperate poverty. He mentions Idi Amin in passing several times as if he were simply a former president, like Gerald Ford, and not the Uber-African despot. In the end, the book reads like an overlong magazine fluff piece, when it could have been a serious book about not only an exceptional girl, but also about the world which makes a successful girl something to marvel at.
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Book Review: Garry Wills - "Why Priests? A Failed Tradition"
We arrived at Trinity United Methodist a few minutes late for Garry Wills's talk because we were chatting with Marisa Meyer while she signed my daughter's copy of her new book, Scarlet, at this year's Savannah Book Festival. Garry was already going full steam, and we had to creep along the balcony and ask a gentleman to move his coat in order to sit down (his umbrella clattered to the floor).
I always enjoy the challenge of reading an intelligent diatribe against something I believe in - Christopher Hitchens (God rest his soul) remains one of my all-time favorite authors. And, having read several of Garry Wills's works (What Paul Meant, What Jesus Meant, the one on Augustine, etc.) before, I bounced in my seat as I put a hold on his new book, Why Priests? (he likes titles with interrogatives, apparently) and bounced yet higher when I heard he would soon be visiting Savannah.
But, ultimately, I was disappointed by the blunt force of his argument against the priesthood - he made the error of starting with a position ("Down with priests!") and then searched out the Scriptures and history for random supporting evidence. What a shame for such an esteemed scholar. His primary thread of debate regards the absence of a Christian priesthood (as we now know it) in the time of Christ or the Apostles. What matters that, my friends? The doctrine of the Trinity (see C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity for how this belief all but defines the faith) did not develop for, um, millennia after God told Abraham to "kill me a son." The priesthood is no more far-fetched than Christianity itself.
Hopefully Wills returns to actual scholarship following this sterile invective, putting down his axe (to grind) and taking up the surgical knife of astute historical and religious analysis that made him such a respected author in the first place. He's welcome to take views contrary to Church teaching, but he must refrain from cherry-picking evidence in such a biased manner - he dwells on every last molehill of sin of priests and the Church without the slightest appreciation for the mountains of good they both raised. I look forward to reading him again with a smile of discovery rather than a puckered mouth of sourness.
Note: I had established this blog to cover educational issues, but there are issues with that concept. For example, I have both a legal and moral obligation to maintain my students' privacy, and it's difficult to discuss education without bringing up what happened at school. Therefore, I turn this ship towards another love: reading. We'll see how that goes!
I always enjoy the challenge of reading an intelligent diatribe against something I believe in - Christopher Hitchens (God rest his soul) remains one of my all-time favorite authors. And, having read several of Garry Wills's works (What Paul Meant, What Jesus Meant, the one on Augustine, etc.) before, I bounced in my seat as I put a hold on his new book, Why Priests? (he likes titles with interrogatives, apparently) and bounced yet higher when I heard he would soon be visiting Savannah.
But, ultimately, I was disappointed by the blunt force of his argument against the priesthood - he made the error of starting with a position ("Down with priests!") and then searched out the Scriptures and history for random supporting evidence. What a shame for such an esteemed scholar. His primary thread of debate regards the absence of a Christian priesthood (as we now know it) in the time of Christ or the Apostles. What matters that, my friends? The doctrine of the Trinity (see C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity for how this belief all but defines the faith) did not develop for, um, millennia after God told Abraham to "kill me a son." The priesthood is no more far-fetched than Christianity itself.
Hopefully Wills returns to actual scholarship following this sterile invective, putting down his axe (to grind) and taking up the surgical knife of astute historical and religious analysis that made him such a respected author in the first place. He's welcome to take views contrary to Church teaching, but he must refrain from cherry-picking evidence in such a biased manner - he dwells on every last molehill of sin of priests and the Church without the slightest appreciation for the mountains of good they both raised. I look forward to reading him again with a smile of discovery rather than a puckered mouth of sourness.
Note: I had established this blog to cover educational issues, but there are issues with that concept. For example, I have both a legal and moral obligation to maintain my students' privacy, and it's difficult to discuss education without bringing up what happened at school. Therefore, I turn this ship towards another love: reading. We'll see how that goes!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday Morning
First, I have been a derelict blogger. I figured, who wants to read my spiel? Well, I have now realized, nobody if there's nothing to read. So I'm back on the job.
This past Saturday I began working a six-week program to teach reading and math for two hours in the morning.
A few observations.
I had a 1st grader, a 2nd grader, a 3rd grader, and a 4th grader. Never had that sort of mix before. Surprisingly, my lessons worked at all their levels of development, and I think it enhanced the experience for them - kids are generally sequestered by grade, so a change piques their interest.
Also, having a mere four students - with an excellent volunteer helping me, as well - allowed for the obvious: individualized attention. We accomplished everything I had planned despite a long snack/bathroom break in the middle of our time, and they all demonstrated mastery of the topics. What a dream!
Lastly, my boss impressed me tremendously. She read over my lesson plans in advance, and collected supplies and books she thought I could use (or stated that I needed). I should be that good! We all should!
This past Saturday I began working a six-week program to teach reading and math for two hours in the morning.
A few observations.
I had a 1st grader, a 2nd grader, a 3rd grader, and a 4th grader. Never had that sort of mix before. Surprisingly, my lessons worked at all their levels of development, and I think it enhanced the experience for them - kids are generally sequestered by grade, so a change piques their interest.
Also, having a mere four students - with an excellent volunteer helping me, as well - allowed for the obvious: individualized attention. We accomplished everything I had planned despite a long snack/bathroom break in the middle of our time, and they all demonstrated mastery of the topics. What a dream!
Lastly, my boss impressed me tremendously. She read over my lesson plans in advance, and collected supplies and books she thought I could use (or stated that I needed). I should be that good! We all should!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)