Such an interesting interplay between her desire to be a successful writer and her desire to be a servant of god. Both are the same journey. On both paths, she prays to be free of mediocrity. We see a blossoming artist who is brutal with herself. She begs for suffering that she believes necessary to shake herself from mediocrity. It is eerie to read her pleas, knowing what illness is to come crashing in only three years after she finishes this journal. It ends on a melancholy note and is followed by a facsimile of the entire notebook, so that every word can be seen in her own writing. A very short but interesting look into the interior life of this literary artist. I must agree with other reviewers that reading this journal is slightly uncomfortable because prayer of this sort is so personal and private. It did feel voyeuristic. It doesn't seem to me that O'Connor ever intended this for publication, and that bothers me somewhat. I have written prayers in a journal myself, and I have even made revisions to the text, because writers/editors are compelled by their nature to do so, but that doesn't mean I have meant for those written thoughts to be shared. The fact that this journal is so minimally revised -- it really is quite rough and stops rather than ends -- not only makes it difficult to understand the author's "message" but also makes me question whether she would care for anyone, except God, to understand. I heard about this book on NPR and received it as a gift, and I did not expect to react this way at all.That primary objection aside, what I did find interesting was having a too brief glimpse at the soul of a young burgeoning writer exploring her faith. Her confusion, questioning, and naivete are belied by her obvious intelligence and literary ability, but they can be seen. Twenty years ago I could have easily related to her. From my current vantage point, however, this is just the start of the beginning of a faith journey.
What do You think about Um Diário De Preces (2014)?
I liked this little book and the insight into her walk with God.
—kanani9830
Beautiful, intensely honest heart cries to the Lord.
—cburnie89
Delightful! I just wish this book was longer.
—marytoddd
