Thank you for visiting my stop on The Famine of the Human Dream Celebrate Book tour and Giveaway. Be sure to enter to win the $50 Amazon gift card. You could buy a lot of books with that! Now, let’s talk about this book…
My Thoughts:
Author Benjamin Mester has produced a book of Christian poems and essays in his “The Famine of the Human Dream.” This book is filled with inspiring short works by the author and Christian authors that were both known and unknown to me.
The first portion of this book contains essays written by Mester. They are well written and leave readers pondering things. He writes about the world, nature, disappointment, romance, beauty, and being human. His essays are thought provoking and need to be read slowly so that the words sink in. They are personal and he writes with transparency.
The middle section holds Mester’s poetry and the final section holds selections from other authors. The wide variety of topics here should allow something for everyone. One of my favorites was “Into My Own” by Robert Frost. The author’s short poem “Isle of Peace” touched me. It was beautiful.
Teasdale, Moore, Frost, Yeats, and CS Lewis all have works in this compilation along with some others. This is a book to keep close and pick up when you need a little encouragement. It definitely is not one to read and forget. It needs revisiting like a trusted friend.
Scripture and biblical references are heavy in this unique book. I was not able to sit down and read it at one time. I needed to savor it and soak in its words. Some pieces stirred me while others did nothing, but that is the beauty of poetry and essays. My one criticism is that while the cover goes with the title, I did not like it at all. I wish the author would consider replacing it.
I highly recommend this to all people that enjoy essays and poetry. It lifted my soul and warmed my heart. I would recommend for a pick me up gift or recovery gift for someone ill. It is beautiful (except for the cover).
I rated this 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but I was under no obligation to provide a review. These are my own thoughts.
About the Book
Book: This Famine of the Human Dream
Author: Benjamin Mester
Genre: Christian Inspiration; Essays and Poems
Release date: May, 2015
An uplifting and thought provoking look at life from a poet’s perspective. The Famine of the Human Dream will challenge you to live with greater passion, to throw off those trifling ambitions that ever grope for our attention, and learn fight for things worth fighting for. The great theologian, CS Lewis, once said:
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
The ultimate goal of life isn’t a search for happiness. The ultimate goal of life is learning how to fight for things worth fighting for. All of life is a battle. But the battle that defines each one of us isn’t primarily between right and wrong, as you would think. Rather, it’s something much more surprising. Find out what in the inspiring pages of The Famine of the Human Dream.
About the Author
Benjamin Mester is an author and poet, with a passion for seeing people break away from small and shallow living and to step into the full measure of what the Lord has prepared for them. The destiny prepared for each one of us is to live a life of love and deep gladness. Benjamin Mester was born and raised in sunny San Diego, but can often be found wandering the woods of northern Minnesota, pen and paper in hand. His lifetime goal is to one day build a house in the woods, expanding it over time into a retreat center for authors, artists and others bursting with creativity. God is the most creative being in the entire universe, and as children made in His image, Mester hopes to inspire His people to explore the wonderful gift of creativity placed in each one of us.More from Benjamin
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 1
Mary Hake, June 2
A Baker’s Perspective, June 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4
Carpe Diem, June 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 6
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 7
Simple Harvest Reads, June 8 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, June 9
janicesbookreviews, June 10
A Reader’s Brain, June 11
Power of Words, June 12 (Spotlight)
Inklings and notions, June 13
Just the Write Escape, June 14
Giveaway
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 
Sounds like a great read.
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It really is!
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Congrats on this tour and thank for the opportunity to read about another great book out there to read. It helps out so I can find books I know my family will enjoy reading. Thanks as well for the giveaway.
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Thanks, James!
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This book sounds like a fascinating read.
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It is very good.
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This sounds like a worthwhile book!
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