Walking on Water (by Madeleine L'Engle)

(Amazon UK link)

It was rather by chance that I acquired the book ‘Walking on Water’ by Madeleine L’Engle. She’s best known for her classic book ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ and its sequels, but she wrote some non-fiction as well. This one - about writing, art and Christianity - is probably my favourite of all her works. I last read it in 2008 so it was more than time to re-read.

The style of the book isn’t going to appeal to everyone, but I found it warm, inviting and inspiring. The author has written lots of snippets, loosely arranged in separate chapters, on topics related to art, and writing in particular. She looks at the question of what it means to be a ‘Christian writer’ - or a ‘Christian artist’ - and rejects many possible descriptions of these phrases.

Instead, she talks about her passion for writing, about losing herself in her work. She clearly had a very deep faith, and saw God in all she did, in particular the inspiration of her writing. But she also acknowledged the need for discipline, for putting pen to paper, for finding time and space to do what one feels called to do.

There are chapters about doing one’s work - whatever it is - to the glory of God, and about the way God, as creator, inspires all his creatures to create. She talks about the importance of getting on with one’s creation, whatever it might be, whether or not it’s ever going to be polished and presented to the public. A writer has to write, an artist has to paint, a singer has to sing… and in the doing of our calling, we find the work itself can take over.

The style is unusual, in that each chapter is divided into little snippets, each of them complete in itself. Some take up less than half a page, others continue over two or three pages. They all make points, some of them expressing, in different words, what the author has already said. But it doesn’t feel repetitive, Instead, it feels almost like sitting and having a chat.

There are anecdotes from the author’s own life, giving an impression of a focussed, caring mother and grandmother, who travels the world but loves nothing more than her own home and family. There are quotations from books, some of which she cites, others of which she acknowledges that she wrote down without any reference. She picks and chooses, and in places it all feels quite random - but there’s a thread running through that made me want to keep reading, although I had to stop every few pages, to think about what was written.

The subtitle of the book is ‘personal reflections on faith and art’, and that’s exactly what this book is. It was published in 1980, but other than references to typewriters it doesn’t feel at all dated. I loved it the first time I read it, and I enjoyed it just as much this time around. I should read it far more often than once every twelve years, and am already looking forward to reading it again.

Very highly recommended if you are interested in the connection between faith and art, or a writer's personal thoughts about her life and craft.

Review copyright 2020 Sue's Book Reviews