Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
26(26%)
4 stars
35(35%)
3 stars
39(39%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
Anne is truly remarkable as she has an uncanny ability to tug at the heartstrings and present things in a clear and understandable light.

However, the drawback with this particular work is that it is a bit outdated. Her political views seem to revolve mainly around Bush and the Iraq conflict.

As I was reading, I couldn't help but be struck by the thought that her insights from that time actually provided valuable clues about how bad the situation was.

And now, here we are, in desperate need of a new book from Ann LaMott. Her unique perspective and writing style have always had the power to move and inspire us, and we eagerly await her next offering.

Perhaps her new book will shed light on the current state of affairs and offer us some much-needed wisdom and guidance.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is not Annie's best work.

However, her writings are always filled to the brim with humor and thought-provoking insights.

Every few pages, I have the urge to post a quote from her (or one she has used from someone else) to Facebook and share it with others.

Her perspective has a great deal of common ground with my own, yet it is just a little bit off-kilter in a way that makes me view things differently from time to time.

This is always a good thing as it broadens my horizons and challenges my thinking.

It shows that there are multiple ways to look at the world, and Annie's unique take on things provides a fresh and interesting perspective.

Even though this may not be her absolute best piece of writing, it still has the power to engage and inspire, which is a testament to her talent as a writer.

I look forward to reading more of her work and seeing what other gems of wisdom and humor she has to offer.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I absolutely adored every single moment of this book! It was truly a captivating and enchanting read.

So much so that I had to keep a journal right beside me at all times. This was because there were countless favorite quotes that kept popping up, and I simply couldn't bear to let them pass by without jotting them down.

It was such a joy to be able to capture those precious words and thoughts. Reading this book felt like embarking on a wonderful adventure, filled with inspiration and excitement.

Every page turn brought new surprises and emotions, and I found myself completely immersed in the story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read and wants to experience the joy of being truly engaged with a literary work.
July 15,2025
... Show More

I absolutely adored this book. I devoured it within a day. To be honest, some pages were blank as all the chapters or essays began on the right page.


This is my very first book by Lamott. I knew next to nothing about her prior to reading it, but since it was recommended by so many of my friends, I was extremely intrigued. I borrowed it from the library, yet I truly wish I had purchased it. It would have been filled with marks, highlights, and flags all over. As it was, I had to settle for copying down my favorite passages.


I had anticipated a very light, cheerful, and (I say this with affection) somewhat preachy kind of book. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a writer who is very flawed indeed but who has managed to find her own spiritual Christian-based path. My previous experiences with spiritual self-reflection and essays had always left me feeling rather alienated from the authors, whom I perceived as being extremely "good." This, in turn, made me focus on the ways in which I was not "good." However, Lamott is so wonderfully flawed - both in her past and on a daily basis - that I can truly say "yes. I see aspects of myself and my life and how I can make my relationship with God fit with my life and who I am." It now feels much less intimidating.


I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is on a spiritual journey or simply interested in personal essays. The author is unapologetically liberal, so that might be off-putting to some readers.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Anne Lamott's writings have had a profound impact on me, inspiring me to view faith from a different perspective.

Her faith is not some distant, abstract concept but a strong and vibrant force that she lives out every day. It's as if she invites us into her world, sharing her struggles, doubts, and moments of profound spiritual connection.

Reading her works, I find myself drawn to her authenticity and the way she unapologetically expresses her relationship with God. It makes me realize that faith doesn't have to be perfect or neatly packaged.

I truly do like her writings. They are like a gentle nudge, encouraging me to explore my own faith more deeply and to embrace the messy, beautiful journey of believing.

Anne Lamott's words have become a source of inspiration and comfort, reminding me that faith can be a powerful and life-changing force, even in the midst of our ordinary, everyday lives.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Anne Lamott, as a memoirist, indeed has several endearing qualities. Her sense of humor is engaging, and she demonstrates a lovely command of the English language. In the initial story of this collection, she comes across as sympathetic and self-aware as she details her journey out of a tumultuous period in her 20s. During that time, she indulged in excessive drinking, took too many drugs, and even "accidentally" found herself sleeping with other women's husbands. The title of the book, "Grace (Eventually)," seems to hold the promise that she would find her path.

However, unless one shares her reflexive, unyielding, and seemingly unwavering anger towards political conservatives, especially the so-called "evil" George Bush, this book quickly becomes intolerable. For instance, in an otherwise charming chapter where she writes about teaching 5-year-old boys in Sunday School about the significance of the Wailing Wall and the concept that everyone in the world is "loved and chosen," she struggles to believe her own lesson. She remarks, ". . . In truth, everyone is loved and chosen, even Dick Cheney, even Saddam Hussein." Perhaps the 5-year-olds grasped the concept better than their teacher.

Despite such instances of what appears to be lunacy, I persisted in reading, only to be appropriately punished for my decision. In a later chapter, ostensibly about learning to forgive the obnoxious traits of a friend's husband due to the care he provided to his cancer-stricken wife, she begins with the statement: "I don't hate anyone right now, not even George W. Bush," a condition she attributes to "the presence of grace, or dementia or both."

Lamott frequently acknowledges that her emotions and anger can overpower her, and she admits to the damage she causes to herself through her own Bush Derangement Syndrome. Yet, instead of reining herself in, she charges forward, chapter after chapter, repeatedly bringing up George Bush, each time with palpable loathing. This book is purportedly about finding peace within herself and mending other relationships that required attention, but she cannot resist injecting politics into every aspect: angry, acerbic politics. She also targets Tom Delay, Karl Rove, and Donald Rumsfeld, as if their only sins are being white, male, and Republican. The mere thought of George Bush, which she seems almost powerless to avoid, leads to her binge eating and occasional bouts of depression. By page 141, she has mentioned him at least half a dozen times, and I simply could not endure any more.

Lamott is among those feminist writers who seek to glorify their anger under the guise of a good cause. However, they fail to recognize that their unrestrained anger only serves to reinforce one of the most negative stereotypes about women: that they are unable to control their emotions. It is truly disheartening.

In a chapter about participating in a panel discussion on abortion and faith, she lambasts "patriarchal sentimentality about miniscule zygotes." Yet, in the very next paragraph, she appears so confused that she claims that, in reality, she lives to fight for the sacredness of each human life. Oh, how enlightening. She justifies her anger on this issue by stating that she is "tired and menopausal and would like for the most part to be left alone."

Not quite. People who truly desire to be left alone do not continuously profit from books about their lives. That is being extremely public, not secluded. Couldn't she be more forthright?

How anyone could view a woman this enraged and so inflexible as a reliable exemplar of what a life of faith and grace should look like is beyond my comprehension. Because, after all of this, I see no sign of "Grace, Eventually."

July 15,2025
... Show More
When I say this, I mean it without any exaggeration at all.

I truly need more books like this. I have an intense craving for more opportunities to read the works of writers who are religious, yet possess a wonderful sense of humor, an open mind, and a keen attention to the enormous grief that exists in the world.

Oh, give me another hundred Anne Lamotts!

Also, this particular book was a re-read for me.

I just found myself in a transitional time and really needed to hear her voice.

Her words have a way of comforting and inspiring me, especially during those moments when I'm in a state of flux.

It's as if her writing is a guiding light, leading me through the uncertainties and challenges that come with change.

I'm so grateful for her and the impact her books have had on my life.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Grace (Eventually) is the third installment of Anne Lamott's books chronicling her faith journey. I first came across Lamott years ago, when she wasn't widely known. My friend Mary lent me Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year. I was immediately captivated by her unfiltered honesty and exquisite writing.

Not many mothers would openly admit to having the urge to toss their newborn out the window because he wouldn't stop crying!

Initially, I had a hard time getting into "Grace," but gradually it hooked me. My favorite essays delved into various topics. Lamott's experience of assisting in a dance class for developmentally disabled adults was heartwarming. Her account of an old friendship that soured due to her jealousy and her friends' self-absorption and materialism was thought-provoking.

She also shared her participation in a panel discussion where she bravely spoke her truth about her views on abortion. Her experience of helping a dear friend end his life because of a debilitating cancer was deeply moving.

Another essay described her encounter with a dishonest carpet dealer and her decision to let go and not hold onto anger over the loss of her money. Her reflections on the challenges of raising a teenage son and her look back on life with her mother added depth to the book.

Throughout the book, I discovered numerous beautiful passages that either stood out for the quality of the writing, with her amazing similes, or for the depth of spirit. I've included several of these gems in my "favorite quotes" section.

Lamott's theology is highly accessible and all-encompassing. She writes with anger about George Bush and his administration, which some might find offensive, but I find it refreshingly honest. This spirituality isn't for the overly perfect!
July 15,2025
... Show More
Lamott's honesty with herself is truly refreshing.

She fearlessly exposes her vulnerable self on the page, not flinching in the face of her own imperfections.

This kind of openness gives all of us hope.

It shows that there is sufficient grace from God, friends, and ourselves to enable us to admit our countless flaws and still have the strength to get up in the morning.

While I can't claim to agree with a significant portion of her theology and political views (especially the latter, which she dwells on far too often), I do deeply appreciate her candor and humor.

Her willingness to be honest and share her experiences, both the good and the bad, makes her writing engaging and relatable.

It reminds us that we are all human, with our own set of flaws and struggles, and that it's okay to admit them and seek the grace and support we need to move forward.

Lamott's work serves as a valuable reminder that honesty and vulnerability can be a source of strength and inspiration.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Grace (Eventually) is an in-depth exploration of the complex and wonderful religious concept of grace. Lamott presents this exploration in her signature style of sharp, hilariously painful personal essays.

However, I can only give this book a rating of three. The reason is that her political diatribes detracted significantly from the main point for me. It should be noted that this is not a criticism of the author herself. Her deeply felt belief in liberal social justice is intertwined with her faith, and I admire that. Even though I find myself disagreeing with a lot of it and wish she would focus more on the central theme.

Nevertheless, as is typical with Lamott, even when I have issues with her, I still find her writing to be absolutely wonderful. For one thing, by simply being herself, she subverts the American stereotype of a Christian as a Tea Partying, Fox News watching, social conservative. There is room for all of us in this religious and literary landscape, isn't there?

Grace doesn't quite reach the heights that Traveling Mercies does, but it is still a worthy follow-up. I would rather read Lamott even when she is not at her best than many other authors at their peak. However, I would recommend starting with Mercies or Operating Instructions first.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I listened to the audio version of this book and I was truly captivated. Anne Lamott is indeed a passionate and dedicated individual, a real holy-roller. However, she also holds strong views that are pro-choice, anti-Bush, anti-war, and anti-establishment. This combination makes her writing an absolute delight to experience.

She possesses a clever and sharp wit, and her self-deprecation is both sincere and charming. Her descriptions of people, animals, and various situations are simply hilarious. For instance, she vividly描绘s her dog bounding along the path as if they were in Scotland, wearing kilts. And when it comes to describing a man she finds repulsive, she says, "he's the kind of guy that you'd rather drink his bath water than marry him."

I didn't give it a full 5 stars only because I have read other works by her, and this one seems to be a more diluted version of some of her previous masterpieces. Nevertheless, she is undoubtedly an author worth reading. Her unique perspective and engaging writing style make her books a valuable addition to any bookshelf.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Grace (Eventually) presents as a compilation of essays that draw from diverse life experiences and the profound lessons they have imparted to her regarding faith. Anne Lamott delves into the deepest recesses of the heart and matters of faith with a remarkable blend of power and levity. She fearlessly exposes her own painful and personal history, yet manages to evoke laughter within the reader as they peruse the pages. She makes no attempt to convert or change the reader, but rather zeroes in on the wisdom she has gleaned along her journey.

While reading this book, I had a rather significant personal revelation. I don't instinctively adopt a lighthearted stance when it comes to the topics that hold the greatest significance for me. However, as I delved into Lamott's work, I could sense the truth, sincerity, and value seeping out from every page. There was an undeniable feeling that she was someone whose words were worth listening to. Nevertheless, humor simply fails to penetrate the deeper aspects of my being. Whether this is a good or bad thing, it was indeed an interesting realization for me.

I am determined to explore more of Lamott's writings. I firmly believe that she has much to teach me and that her unique perspective will continue to enrich my understanding of life and faith.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.