Reading Between the Lines

by Gene Edward Veith Jr.

Book Overview

Christians who love books will love this navigational aid through the current flood pouring into the marketplace. Helps readers make informed choices by understanding how literature communicates.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0891075828
• ISBN13: 9780891075820
• Release Date: September 1990
• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

The book itself it wonderful, but missing CHAPTERS!

Veith does an amazing job of explaining how to read literature from a holistic perspective, not just fixating attention of bits and pieces of a work. However, this particular copy was missing chapters 10 and 11! The book went from chapter eight to chapter nine, and then back to chapter eight and nine again, before ending with chapter 12. I am highly disappointed in the copy that I received.

Unearthing gems! (Originally posted March 15, 2005)

Gene Edward Veith is a gem! Such clarity and lucidity in his body of work. I am a huge fan of all things literature and have always been one who likes to dig into the "thoughts" of a writer to see what is going on between the lines. As a matter of fact, I have often been accused of reading TOO much in between the lines. This book helped me to see more clearly what does lie between the lines; much that we might miss in light of our own culture and unique perspectives. Veith provides clear insight and sound logic in urging readers to really look at what is explicitly on and in the pages of literature. I have often thought that literature is a window to the culture of particular time and place, and Veith draws the curtains open on such a window! Let the glorious light shine and may your reading be full of insight; and in much of literature, between the lines of every page lies a gem to be unearthed.

Unearthing gems!

Gene Edward Veith is a gem! Such clarity and lucidity in his body of work. I am a huge fan of all things literature and have always been one who likes to dig into the "thoughts" of a writer to see what is going on between the lines. As a matter of fact, I have often been accused of reading TOO much in between the lines. This book helped me to see more clearly what does lie between the lines; much that we might miss in light of our own culture and unique perspectives. Veith provides clear insight and sound logic in urging readers to really look at what is explicitly on and in the pages of literature. I have often thought that literature is a window to the culture of particular time and place, and Veith draws the curtains open on such a window! Let the glorious light shine and may your reading be full of insight; and in much of literature, between the lines of every page lies a gem to be unearthed.

This Book has the wrong title!!!

The only problem with this book is that it has the wrong title. It shouldn't be called a "Christian" guide to literature, but simply a guide to literature. I heartily recommend this book to both my Christian and non-Christian friends. Mr. Veith clearly explains the importance of literature in our modern society. His description of the different literary forms gave me a new appreciation for some genres that in the past I had avoided. This book is important to both the avid reader as well as some one who would like to develop an appreciation for literature. It is most appropriate for anyone who has an interest in literature, not just Christians.

Love Books? Don't Miss This One

We live in a time which allows book lovers access to a tremendous amount of literature, but we often need help in sorting through the junk to get to the nuggets of gold. Veith has done an outstanding job of teaching the lover of reading what to look for (and look out for) in books. The author explores how to seek out quality works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry in helping the reader develop a sense of good literary taste. The book also explains how literature has changed from the Middle Ages to the present, but in an entertaining way. Veith's writing style makes sometimes confusing literary concepts easily understood. A very enjoyable read.

Literature as a reflection of society's worldviews.

This thoroughly interesting overview of the history of literature and how it is a reflection of the prevailing worldviews of the times of the authors. It also addresses how Christians in each age have used literary forms to address the false worldviews of their time with the truth of the gospel message.