The God of the Garden: Thoughts on Creation, Culture, and the Kingdom

I loved so much about this read. It was even more poignant after having heard Peterson speak and perform at a recent conference, as well as after having visited some of the same places he writes about here! That really brought the read to life and added depth and richness to the experience.Amazing material. I will note (it's the editor in me) there were a number of typos, even in the paperback edition; perhaps could have stood a final proofreading pass. But thankfully, it didn't detract (too much :D) from the read.

One more shout out for “The God of the Garden” by Andrew Peterson. I can now say this is probably my all time most meaningful non-fiction read. It shares space with C.S. Lewis’ “The Great Divorce” in my heart.I am a reader and not a writer, so I get a bit anxious sharing sometimes as I fear I won’t do it justice. I can’t quite put together the words for what I want to say about this book, but this is my attempt. As I read, I felt seen (and it’s not my story!!) because so many of the expressions mirror my own soul experiences. As Peterson shares about his heart during the era of “Light for the Lost Boy” and “The Burning Edge of Dawn,” I find I’m not surprised that those albums immediately connected with me when I heard them.Add to this other winks of Wendell Berry, Scotland, the experience of planting (and sometimes accidentally killing), and significant trees….I’m swept up. Peterson also shares about an experience at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky - a place I hope to visit and that Shawn has retreated at a few times. So many winks.With fiction, I read on average a 300 page book per day…well, night. For this, I’ve been slowly savoring each page and chapter over the past week or so. “The Comforter Hath Found Me Here,” “We Shall Be Led in Peace,” and “A Stone’s Throw From Jerusalem” are chapters I’ve found particularly meaningful.I read kindle nearly exclusively (I get weird sensored out by paper texture and book closing pressure sometimes), but I’m delighted to have a paper copy. It’s already worn as I go slowly through - and back and forth. (On a practical note, the paper is the right texture and the book doesn’t push closed against my hands if anyone else has those weird book needs, which I very much appreciate. 😉)As I reread above, it feels so inadequate of a response. It’s just so….real.I could not possibly recommend it enough.I find an even deeper need to explore foot paths in England now as well. ;)

WHAT A BOOK! So many of the topics discussed resonated with me personally. I bought this book naively thinking it was more about Eden in its entirety. I believe this book was put in my path for numerous reason. The cadence and flow of this writer was captivating to put it mildly. A memoir for sure, but so worth the read! Every chapter arrested my attention and I was able to get lost page after page and escape the real world. The Footpaths chapter was by far my favorite!!

My mother had just passed away. Urgently, I was herded back north among family, to grieve and to comfort, to celebrate and to remember. Between time-honored traditions, like Christmas Eve dinner, and unfamiliar experiences, like speaking at my mother's funeral, I huddled together with my family, listening and talking with each other. My mother would have been pleased.One afternoon, within one of those conversations, my nephew learned of my unusual interest in trees."Why trees?" he asked. His question was fair, but my answer was weak.This book, "The God of the Garden" by Andrew Peterson, holds all the answers I did not speak. In fact, I love trees even more, 209 pages later. Moreover,  I feel freshly grateful to Peterson for working out my deepest thoughts into poetry and lyrical prose. We are not the same man, but as a songwriter and author,  he certainly understands me in uncanny ways.When Peterson explained his  reason for writing on page 105, I felt welcomed back to the blank page. "The practice of writing gets you out of your head and into your heart, then back into your head again."He reignited my personal experience of freedom by courageously mapping his own journey down into the caverns of shame and then up, out the other side.The premise of the book hangs on frequent stops made by the author beneath different trees. With each visit, I was beckoned to recall my own milestones, also marked by trees: the pine that held the tree fort built by my father in our backyard, for example, or the live oak I planted to honor the life of a young friend after his untimely death.To honor my birthday 3 months ago, my family gifted me a subscription to a writing project called Storyworth. Weekly, I receive a question and my answers are recorded in what will become a hardbound book next October. Reading Peterson's memoir has validated that process, planting worth like a seed back into the soil of my story. I'm inspired to write, and to be read.In just 12 short chapters, my soul has feasted. After nearly a decade of not consistently writing, I believe today that I have something to add with my words. And like Peterson, I rejoice that my words will be captured on paper, made from trees.

I feel that I understand some of Andrew Peterson’s songs better. He gives the backstory to several of them. But I still do not really understand Andrew Peterson and what makes him so sad. He doesn’t appear sad in concert, but has apparently struggled with depression. I think he was trying to be more open about his struggles. But I think sometimes it is best to let music stand on its own and let it speak to listeners where they are. Like his earlier book, Adorning the Dark, this one is a little hard to categorize. While the earlier one was a memoir/essay on creativity, this one is mostly memoir, but includes a rant on urban sprawl.I still greatly admire Peterson, and I enjoyed most of the book. I think he is best at poetry/music, but this memoirish book is certainly worth your time.

Haven’t read the book as it’s a Christmas gift however I was saddened to see the state it arrived in! No point returning for just the front and it’s now too close to Christmas to return and get a new one. I’m sure the book is an amazing read and I’ll look forward to reading it second hand!