Reviews

This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks Into Our Darkness by Sarah Clarkson

bcarbiener's review

What an absolutely beautiful book about mental illness, beauty, and redemption. I can never read words by Sarah not be deeply moved.

ddejong's review

4.0

3.5 stars - I have followed Sarah on Instagram and heard her on a decent number of podcasts, and I really enjoy her gentle tone, her literary sensibilities, and her love for beauty and wonder. This book was a nice opportunity to hear more of her story, particularly her experience of living with OCD. I struggled with the organization of the book—initially it seemed almost chronological as a memoir of her life but then did some zigging and zagging. I think ultimately it was supposed to be somewhat topical but the flow didn’t quite work for me. Sarah’s book has a thesis, and yet it’s decidedly not intended to be didactic or proof text-y. Her writing is very flowery and for me can feel cloying at times, but I also know from listening to Sarah that much of the language she is using in her writing is actually consistent with how she speaks as well. In all, a book I enjoyed but that might have benefited from some tightening up of both form and content.

lizwine's review

1.0

DNF. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

As a mental health provider I was curious to read this as I always like to have resources to point clients toward.

I could not get into this book for several reasons. The author’s overuse of the term “mental illness” which is not person-first and is derived from the medical model, and is not strengths-based. There are many alternatives to this term such as mental health experiences, person experiencing OCD.

On page 20, I found her use of the word “cripple” to not be a great choice of words as well.

matchamama's review

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Exceptionally written and beautiful book that I could not put down. So honest and yet so hopeful.

chrissyz's review

4.0

I greatly admire someone who is willing to share their struggles in life and faith with great humility, vulnerability and honesty so that others can gain hope and wisdom from shared struggles and experiences.
Sarah Clarkson has accomplished this in her newest release with such eloquence and it will be a book I keep on my shelves and will return to when I need that gentle reminder to look for the Beauty that is always piercing the darkness!

emma_rose11's review

5.0

This book touched my soul so deeply. I read it slowly over the course of about two months in short devotional sessions, and each time I felt my heart uplifted. My soul filled with joy and hope in our God who is making all things new. This book has moved my heart to worship, guided my prayers, and given greater purpose to my days over the last few months. Like Sarah, I have had OCD since I was a child. I have had dark days and years. I could relate to many of the things she expressed, particularly about feeling too far damaged to ever find hope and happiness. Yet Sarah so beautifully conveys the personal love of Jesus in our suffering. I bookmarked so many passages. I can’t wait to go back and look at them again. Thank you so much, Sarah.

jennyyyyyyyyyyyy's review

5.0

This book is so beautifully written and yet so vulnerable and raw. I resonated with Sarah's writing as a person who also struggles with mental illness. This book has brought so much light and hope to my heart and I will be re-reading it in the future for courage, beauty and truth. Fantastic book for all.

dana_reads_books's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

This book is about finding God’s love and beauty in the midst of darkness. Not after darkness has passed, not in spite of the darkness, but IN it. I liked and could relate to the first half better than the second half of the book.

sweet_caroline_johnson's review

5.0

this book is glorious

geneticginger's review

4.0

Wonderfully beautiful book about how finding beauty in our lives through what God has given us can help us overcome darkness.