deterra's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Genuinely, this book was almost enough to make me believe in God. Not the God I typically see represented in modern America, or even necessarily the God in the Bible. Rather, Hornsby has this idea of God being everything. Everywhere. This book makes me want to have more faith than I do. All of it just really resonated with me, and the whole novel was very well put-together.
I think that Dan is the character that I relate to most out of the very large amount of media I have interacted with over my life. I absolutely loved his narration, simple and incredibly vivid at the same time. It was beautiful. The book was this thoughtful character study, populated by shame and regret and love and connection and a million other things that are so, so perfect. The way in which Hornsby uses very little words to get his point across was cool to read and made the novel an enjoyable experience. He writes like every single word matters.
jortsboyfriend's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tomhill's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-- Reminds me of John Boyne's A History of Loneliness, as it deals with a similar theme at its center: a good priest struggling with a crisis of faith largely brought on by the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal, wondering if he could have done more and wondering just how complicit he was in this evil. At its core it is a deeply sad book, but not without humor and other elements that humanize the protagonist. We see in Dan a good person whose life may have been better spent outside of the church. His ability to connect with others is obvious, and yet he also seems prone to keeping people at a distance and to taking the path of least resistence when given the option. How much of this is learned behavior and how much is innate to his personality? There is a brief flashback toward the end of the book which is beautifully done and seeks to explain the moment Father Dan realized his "calling," but I think it could have been explored more deeply, which may have made his present ambivalence more affecting. Overall, Via Negativa is really moving and well done.
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
A short novel about a retired priest who lives in his car as he travels west to see old friends. Along the way, he picks up an injured coyote, hears many people talk about the supernatural, visits odd roadside attractions, meditates on the writings of early Christians, and slowly makes his way to the business that's been troubling him the entire time. I found the whole thing just slightly too rambling for my tastes, but I enjoyed seeing thoughts on Christian mysticism presented smack dab next to roadside diners and a giant ball of paint.
siria's review against another edition
5.0
A surprisingly self-assured first novel, Via Negativa tells the story of Fr. Dan, a rather heterodox priest who is ousted from his retirement in Indiana and sets off on a road trip across the U.S., stopping along the way to explore kitschy tourist attractions and rescue an injured coyote. This is not a novel about events so much as it is about ruminations on faith, how it is lost and how it is maintained. As the title suggests, this is also as much about what is not said as it is about what is. Ordinarily this kind of book wouldn't hold much appeal for me, for a whole variety of reasons, but Daniel Hornsby's prose is a delight to read and there were so many points where I had to laugh in delighted recognition at some observation of Fr. Dan's. (He's not generally trying to be funny, but if you're an extremely lapsed Catholic like me, there are some things that are just going to hit you as darkly funny and/or yup, that's how it is.) If you're interested in themes of faith, loss, guilt, redemption, various medieval Christian philosophers and/or coyotes, this book is recommended.
sydthebookw0rm's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bobwhite37's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
sherylcat's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this strange little book. The priest's description of the children's religious artwork at the nursing home was so funny I nearly choked. My only problem is that the end is abrupt. Thought I missed something. I don't mind an open ending, but that was confusing. Guess it fits such an odd book.
madidori's review against another edition
4.0
From this book:
“I am an anchoress, too. I’ve sealed myself in the Church. I let it swallow me whole. I took a solemn vow. I pledged my allegiance to the flag. But what happens when it shows no loyalty to you? What happens when it spits you out?”
This book was really interesting! It’s about a retired Catholic priest, a coyote he saved, a gun, & shattered faith. I will add a trigger/content warning that the Catholic Sex Abuse crisis is talked about & is a main part of this story.
What do you do when the church you devoted yourself too lets you down? What happens when you, as one who made a vow to the church, become the one who lets others down?
This book was a beautiful, quick read about dealing with one’s faith when it seems that that exact faith is what has let you down / been the force that you used to disappoint others. The main character is taking stock of his life while on a road trip after retiring from the priesthood and it’s a powerful story of friendship, loss, and God. Even though, God is not often talked about. Hence, via negativa!
I definitely recommend this one!!
“I am an anchoress, too. I’ve sealed myself in the Church. I let it swallow me whole. I took a solemn vow. I pledged my allegiance to the flag. But what happens when it shows no loyalty to you? What happens when it spits you out?”
This book was really interesting! It’s about a retired Catholic priest, a coyote he saved, a gun, & shattered faith. I will add a trigger/content warning that the Catholic Sex Abuse crisis is talked about & is a main part of this story.
What do you do when the church you devoted yourself too lets you down? What happens when you, as one who made a vow to the church, become the one who lets others down?
This book was a beautiful, quick read about dealing with one’s faith when it seems that that exact faith is what has let you down / been the force that you used to disappoint others. The main character is taking stock of his life while on a road trip after retiring from the priesthood and it’s a powerful story of friendship, loss, and God. Even though, God is not often talked about. Hence, via negativa!
I definitely recommend this one!!