I've had Creating New Life, Nurturing Families by Sidney Callahan sitting in my 'to read' pile for quite a while. I've picked it up and set it down numerous times. For me, this was a tough read. Not that the content was difficult to understand, but for me the book failed to deliver what I was inclined to believe it would based on the title. I was looking for an inspiring and helpful book on family raising, motherhood and Catholic wifery. I felt that the book was put together very well and may serve well as a starting point for a new mom.
Each chapter touched on many pertinent topics such as love, marriage, sexuality, the working mom and suffering and joy. The author strung those together fairly well in showing how the woman's commitment to them shadows that of the Trinity. It also seemed to reiterate some of the most basic understandings of womanhood that I really didn't need to read another book about. Desiring more of a realistic, nitty-gritty type book on motherhood and nurturing the beauty of womanhood, I felt quite disappointed. The book also seemed to follow a more feminist view of 'God as Mother' throughout, which is not something I personally agree with and found difficult to stomach. It was also written more from a Christian standpoint or even more of a 'Catholic' with a small 'c' rather than a big and loud 'C'.
I currently have several other books on my shelf that are written with more concrete ways of encouraging and strengthening the vocation of wife and mother that I would eagerly recommend before this one. If you can put aside many of the things that I struggled with throughout my reading and you have a good foundation of theology and Church teaching, perhaps this book might work for you.
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This review was written as part of the Catholic Book Review program from The Catholic Company. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest opinion and review.
I'm so glad when people take the time to add their review to something, like a book. It helps me with my decision making.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Kimberly Hahn's "Life Giving Love"? If so, what did you think of that book?
ReplyDeleteI felt that book was very inspiring when I was engaged and then during my first pregnancy, when I was first learning about being a true Catholic mother and wife. Kimberly seemed to be very true to the Catholic Church, as could be expected by the reputation she and Scott have. I have not read the book for over 5 years and so am not sure she gets into the nitty gritty of daily Catholic motherhood and family life. I've been thinking about picking it back up for a while now.
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ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteYes, I did read Life Giving Love a few years back and LOVED it. I should pick it up again. I read it after I went through a miscarriage and it seemed like it really hit home on so many different points about marriage, love, mothering, sexuality, etc. that I couldn't put it down!
Also, I've got The Handbook for Catholic Moms by Lisa Hendey that I'm reading right now too and am enjoying.
There are some great Catholic mom writers out there who help us along the journey, for sure!