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A Severe Mercy

Sheldon Vanauken

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By: HarperOne
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 76 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken, is a heart-rending love story described by its author as "the spiritual autobiography of a love rather than of the lovers." Vanauken chronicles the birth of a powerful pagan love borne out of the relationship he shares with his wife, Davy, and describes the growth of their relationship and the dreams that they share. As a symbol of their love, they name their dream schooner the Grey Goose, "for the grey goose, if its mate is killed flies on alone and never takes another."
While studying at Oxford, Sheldon and Davy develop a friendship with C.S. Lewis, under whose influence and with much intellectual scrutiny they accept the Christian doctrine. As their devotion to God intensifies, Sheldon realizes that he is no longer Davy's primary love--God is. Within this discovery begins a brewing jealousy.
Shortly after, Davy acquires a fatal illness. After her death Sheldon embarks on an intense experience of grief, "to find the meaning of it, taste the whole of it ... to learn from sorrow whatever it had to teach." Through painstaking reveries, he comes to discover the meaning of "a mercy as severe as death, a severity as merciful as love." He learns that her death "had these results: It brought me as nothing else could do to know and end my jealously of God. It saved her faith from assault. ...And it saved our love from perishing."
Replete with 18 letters from C.S. Lewis, A Severe Mercy addresses some of the universal questions that surround faith--the existence of God and the reasons behind tragedy. --Jacque Holthusen

Under the Mercy

Sheldon Vanauken

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By: Ignatius Press
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A wonderful, complex mix of memoir and essay 4 out of 5 stars.
49 of 51 people found this review helpful.

Under the Mercy, a sequel to A Severe Mercy, is a fine mix of memoir and essays from the times discussed. Stylistically, it is less like a straightforward memoir (as A Severe Mercy was), and more like Newman's Apologia. The style is complex, and in the middle of the book the writing loses some of its quality (though the book revives for a very stirring ending). That said, the work displays a razor wit and stunning satirical ability that A Severe Mercy did not suggest Mr. Vanauken possessed. It shows a new side of Vanuken, and shows him developing as an author. The book also has Vanauken's accustomed emotional power, and if it is not quite as perfect as A Severe Mercy, it certainly has greater range in theme, tone, and style. A worthy work in its own right.

Chronicles a remarkable spiritual journey 5 out of 5 stars.
35 of 36 people found this review helpful.

As documented in "A Severe Mercy", Mr. Vanauken had a marriage eHarmony would love to guarantee its clients. He and Davy enjoyed one of the most unique and intimate matrimonial relationships that I know of, Christian or secular. Unfortunately, he lost his beloved to a mysterious illness after only a couple years of marriage. "Under the Mercy" is the sequel to "A Severe Mercy," and it's the chronicle of his life from Davy's death in mid-century to his Catholic conversion in the early 1980s.

"Under the Mercy" recaps some of "A Severe Mercy" to brief those who haven't read it. But I'd recommend checking out "A Severe Mercy" first so you can appreciate where Mr. Vanauken's coming from. Indeed, his life as documented in both books is quite fascinating. I enjoyed reading how his relationship to God, along with his presuppositions, are refined or altered throughout the years. He also includes some excellent essays on topics ranging from women's lib to a Turtledoveish look at a Southern victory in the Civil War. His gradual shift from the Anglican Church into the Catholic tradition is quite intriguing as well, especially since the writings of C. S. Lewis influenced his decision. Overall, I found his sense of grace and humor to be exemplary. He is a true gentleman in an age where few can claim that title.

However, Mr. Vanauken works out his salvation in ways that might tweak some conservative readers. For example, his experimentation with pot and LSD in the sixties won't win him many points with many in the Dobson crowd. He also demonstrated against the Vietnam War, albeit in a peaceful and reasonable fashion. But for those who have issues with Mr. Vanauken's actions, who among us is able to cast the first stone? He did serve as a naval officer during WWII, and was in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Also, all through his life he displayed compassion and grace towards friends, students, and others who crossed his path. That, combined with his formidable intellect, enabled him to touch the lives of a great many people. The two "Mercy" books are the most visible examples of his godly character.

I admit I do struggle with some of his theological conclusions. For example, his rationale for converting to Catholicism implies that Protestantism is a form of rebellion against God's true Church. But overall, I respect Mr. Vanauken and consider his life to be an inspiring Christian witness. Whether you share my opinion or not is your privilege, but give "Under the Mercy" a try before making final judgment either way.

Glittering Illusion: English Sympathy for the Southern Confederacy

Sheldon Vanauken

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By: Regnery Pub
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

An unusual view of America's Civil War 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

This book was Vanauken's thesis work while at Oxford, presenting a neglected and unusual viewpoint of England's position on the American Civil War. Vanauken's views on "The War Between the States" won't draw much of a following nowadays, but that doesn't mean they are incorrect or misleading. To the contrary, Vanauken forces the reader to rethink long accepted dogma about America's bloodiest conflict, and why England never entered the fray. American Civil War fans will enjoy reading this book.

Gateway to Heaven

Sheldon Vanauken

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By: Richelieu Court Publications
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

A compelling novel of ideas and emotion, well worth reading 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Gateway to Heaven is a surprising, moving novel. In many ways, it reads as if one of the better Victorian novelists-- novelists of ideas, religion, romance, humor, and emotion-- were transported into the 1960s to write a book about the time. Gateway possesses some of the faults of a first novel (especially a Victorian first novel)-- occassionally it is a bit difficult to believe, and occasionally the conversations are a bit too abstract-- but its virtues in emotive power and intellectual weight far outweigh these vices. A rare piece of art.

Subpar novel 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Unlike the stunning book A SEVERE MERCY, Vanauken's novel GATEWAY TO HEAVEN is neither emotionally uplifting nor fascinating. It is melodrama, with most of the conversations being "overdone". Too much hype. This novel is not Vanauken's best work. Better to stick with A SEVERE MERCY.

Little Lost Marion:

Sheldon Vanauken

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By: Franciscan University Press
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

points to ponder 5 out of 5 stars.
45 of 46 people found this review helpful.

Sheldon Vanauken's The Little Lost Marion and Other Mercies is a collection of essays composed during different periods of the author's life. It begins with an epilogue (so to speak) of A Severe Mercy and Under the Mercy with the history and then the discovery of Marion, Davy's daughter who had been put up for adoption. I liken this to a delightfully unexpected dessert after the full-bodied, rich entrees of A Severe Mercy and Under the Mercy: for those longing for more, this is right welcome. In this essay as well as others, Vanauken explores several topics concerning current issues and events. His reasoning and logic disallows complacency; he will not let the reader go "brain-dead" on the issue. Two essays which necessitate reading by a larger audience are "The Iron Law of Home" and "Officers and Gentlemen at the Citadel." He gives a refreshingly different perspective than most of today's thinkers and writers. Vanauken also includes many of his yachting essays from the times he and Davy spent sailing; interesting articles but confusing for me having no experience in that arena. In the foreword Mr. Simmons mentions the necessity of the "conversion of heart and intellect both." Mr. Vanauken displays such conversion and by chance will assist such conversion as well.

A Severe Mercy

By: Harper & Row
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A Severe Mercy - includes 18 previously unpublished letters by C.S. Lewis

Sheldon Vanauken

By: Harper
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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

An amazing love story of 2 seekers 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is not your ordinary love story. Sheldon wrote of he and his wife's courtship, the unique ways they shielded their marriage, then their time in Oxford and after. While studying in Oxford, they decided they couldn't honestly refute Christianity until they had investigated it. Thus begins the next part of their journey, which included corresponding with C.S. Lewis.

There is much more to their story, but to tell more might take away from the experience of reading it.