I read this in college for my "The Drama" course. I'm looking forward to watching the film.I read this in college for my "The Drama" course. I'm looking forward to watching the film....more
Remember in LISA, BRIGHT AND DARK (1969), how narrator Betsy gushes about Mary Nell Fickett: "she used to LIVE in California!"? This book (1968) is abRemember in LISA, BRIGHT AND DARK (1969), how narrator Betsy gushes about Mary Nell Fickett: "she used to LIVE in California!"? This book (1968) is about her time there when she was 14, narrated by her 12-year-old brother Michael.
Mostly, Mary Nell is siding with the neighbors and her minister father's congregation about her parents' idea to adopt a little Black boy. Michael isn't sure how he feels about the situation, but once little Edgar Allan arrives, all Michael sees is a cute, smart, happy preschooler. Michael's preschooler brother Stephen sees a playmate (and a new occupant for his recently-vacated high-chair), and their 5 1/2-year-old sister Sally Ann sees another younger kid she can teach like she's been teaching Stephen. But the congregation and neighborhood are thinking: "Oh, those Ficketts! What are they thinking?"...to which Reverend and Mrs. Fickett respond: "Oh, you neighbors, what are you thinking about what we're thinking?...Because maybe that's why the Lord is leading us to do this."
I like Mrs. Fickett's view that "you can only hope to understand [God] by seeing where He is and where He ISN'T"; also "where He isn't is often more interesting and tells us more about Him and His ways than where He is" (p.8).
1968. 55 years ago.
P.S. It's Edgar ALLAN; look at the pic of the cover. What's with the HORRifying dis-R-E-S-P-E-C-T?...more
