The Wine Of Angels

by Phil Rickman | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 0330342681 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Mundoo of Hindmarsh Island, South Australia Australia on 5/5/2004
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Mundoo from Hindmarsh Island, South Australia Australia on Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Pre-numbered label used for registration.

Released on Sunday, May 23, 2004 at by hand in Controlled Release, Given to a fellow bookcrosser Controlled Releases.

given to Charbono

Journal Entry 3 by charbono from Creswick, Victoria Australia on Friday, May 28, 2004
From Mundoo. To be read.

Journal Entry 4 by charbono from Creswick, Victoria Australia on Sunday, May 30, 2004
June 15th - finished reading this yesterday. Took a while to get into at first (didn't think I'd read it all) but then I got to the stage where I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what happened next! Ended up enjoying it a lot more than I expected.

It's set in the modern day in a small English village called Ledwardine. The village has a long history - used to be the centre of a huge apple orchard. Cider and other things apple-related was the main crop of the town. Merrily Watkins is an Anglican minister, and she has moved to Ledwardine with her daughter Jane. The first half of the book is mostly an introduction - you get to know the characters in the town and how they interrelate. Then by the time Collette's 16th birthday comes around, everything happens suddenly and it does get quite suspenseful. A few mystery twists and turns. All in all, a very involving read.

I like how the author uses actual stories (folklore) and documented facts to provide a realistic background for the story. I also have this book to thank for leading me to the wonderful poetry of Thomas Traherne, who is a major influence in the book.

"You never enjoy the world aright till the sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens and crowned with the stars: and perceive yourself to be the sole heir of the whole world, and more than so, because men are in it who are every one sole heirs as well as you. Till you can sing and rejoice and delight in God, as misers do in gold, and kings in sceptres, you never enjoy the world.

"Till your spirit filleth the whole world, and the stars are your jewels: till you are as familiar with the ways of God in all ages as with your walk and table: till you are intimately acquainted with that shady nothing out of which the world was made: till you love men so as to desire their happiness with a thirst equal to the zeal of your own: till you delight in God for being good to all: you never enjoy the world. Till you more feel it than your private estate, and are more present in the hemisphere, considering the glories and the beauties there, than in your own house: till you remember how lately you were made, and how wonderful it was when you came into it: and more rejoice in the palace of your glory, than if it had been made but to-day morning.

"Yet further, you never enjoy the world aright, till you so love the beauty of enjoying it that you are covetous and earnest to persuade others to enjoy it. And so perfectly hate the abominable corruption of men in despising it, that you had rather suffer the flames of hell than willingly be guilty of their error. There is so much blindness, and ingratitude, and damned folly in it. The world is a mirror of infinite beauty, yet no man sees it. It is a Temple of Majesty, yet no man regards it. It is a region of Light and Peace, did not men disquiet it. It is the Paradise of God. It is more to man since he is fallen, than it was before. It is the place of Angels, and the Gate of Heaven. When Jacob awaked out of his dream, he said, God is here, and I wist it not. How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the House of God, and the gate of Heaven."

I was also surprised to discover that there are actually quite a few books featuring Merrily Watkins. (see the author's website)... I will definitely read them if they ever cross my path. Thanks again, Mundoo and BookCrossing!

Released on Monday, November 15, 2004 at about 5:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at T2 Terminal - Regional Express in Airport-Sydney Domestic, New South Wales Australia.

RELEASE NOTES:

Next to the public phone at gate 39, in the Regional Express terminal (domestic departures, Sydney Airport).

Journal Entry 6 by MomoandCo at Mount Pleasant, South Australia Australia on Sunday, April 15, 2012
Found at Mt ive Bush camp, great excitement about finding a bookcrossing book out here, and my sort of book to boot.

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