Some books just get you. You start to read them and within the first few pages, you feel some sort of strange ethereal pull from the book that stays attached to you until you've read every.single.word. And even longer, sometimes. And you can't even read another book until your mind/body/soul have processed that book. It just happens. And those are great, great books. I'm not convinced they have to be extremely well written (although they often are) or that the content has to be super intense (although it may be). I am convinced, however, that the story told tells us a truth in a such a profound way that we can be changed by the book. If we let ourselves.
I read Ragged Company (Richard Wagamese) this past week. My community does this great thing called One Book One Community where encourages all our local people to read the same book, whether on your own or in a group, and then hosts author events and discussions, etc. The local paper is involved and the libraries are huge advocates. I love it -- because I love community and I love people reading and they pick really great books. This year, Ragged Company was the livre du jour. And it totally got me.
The premise of the story is pretty simple: four homeless people win the lottery ($13.5 million) and, obviously, it changes their lives. Feel good story of the year, right? People escape the horrifying world of the street with the great salvation of money -- yay! But the story. OH the story. Quickly, and with a certain quietness, Wagamese starts telling a story that is much more profound than street life = bad; rich life = good. He weaves complexities and voices, circumstances and hearts into a rich tale that reveals that our potential lies in our ability to see and love others, rather than in our potential to possess and use wealth.
And it isn't an easy read -- you will cry and the images will haunt your heart. But you will also learn. I have spent (a little) time with people who live on the streets and the way Wagamese honours and tells their story moved me. He tells painful, raw truth with a profound gentleness and beauty. He holds pain in tension with love and does not, not, not wrap everything up nicely. He tells us a truth that can change us; can change our perspective and our compassion.
I keep wanting to pick up another book, but everything seems to futile just now. I'm still attached to Ragged Company. I need a few more days.
