The Singer Trilogy: The Mythic Retelling Of The Story Of The New Testament [Paperback]

 

 

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This is one of those books I read over and over again. I have read it probably 20 times since my first reading. Calvin Miller puts biblical stories into narrative poems that are so well written they force you to turn the page again and again. This book is the first in the Singer Trilogy, followed by The Song and The Finale. It is a poetic retelling of three biblical books: The Singer parallels the 4 Gospels, The Song retells the story of Acts, and The Finale is Miller's version of the book of Revelation.

Miller writes explicitly Christian fantasy in these books. He is also widely known for his non-fiction AND Christian life application books.

The Singer is a powerful retelling of the life of Christ, where instead of Jesus and The Gospel you have the Singer and his song. His song, if you are open to it, can bring healing and restoration. The World-Hater, wants to destroy both the Singer and his star song. Miller's words moved me to tears the first time I encountered them. The story is so well written, it can be read over and over without losing its freshness. The book is also excellently illustrated by Chicago artist Joe DeVelasco. The drawings done in pen and Ink style add to the power of the story by transporting you into the events.

No matter how many times over I reread this book, it is always fresh and new and draws me into the story of Christ in a different way. It is truly a classic and a treasure for any bookshelf. Each time I pick these up and reread them, I find a deepening of my relationship with Christ, and of my prayer life.

Miller also has a Symphonic Trilogy that retells different stories from the book of Genesis. The two I owned were A Requiem for Love and A Symphony in Sand. As far as I can tell, there are also 2 stand-alone books by Miller in this style that are often compared to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Lewis's Narnia. They are The Valiant Papers, an account of a guardian angel's experiences, and The Philippian Fragment, the retelling of the book of Philippians from the New Testament. I have owned most of these and lent them out to not be returned. I now have The Singer Trilogy, Valiant, and Singer Trilogy 3-in-1 hardcover. Over the next few weeks I will review those I still have, but cannot encourage you strongly enough to pick them up if you find them in a used bookstore. They are all great.

Over the next few weeks, I plan on reviewing some of the others that I still have from this author. And if I find the others again, I will review them. (It has just been too long since I lent them out and did not get them back for me to review them from memory.)

Other Miller Books:

The Singer

The Song

The Finale

The Valiant Papers

The Philippian Fragment (Currently OP)

Miller weaves an amazing story with his masterful use of blank verse. I've been taking a literature class at Potter's School (www.pottersschool.org) and we studied the Singer Trilogy. I've never worked so hard in my life, but I enjoyed it greatly as I had to study every word of this marvelous book. I've been looking for cheap copies so I can distribute them to all my friends. Everyone should read this book.

Miller's trilogy sits towards the top of the list of epic poetry. Written in a lyric style, with clarity and excitement, these lines cannot fail to move anyone. Miller has also done an excellent job of telling an allegorical tale without sounding unoriginal or uninspired. The Singer Trilogy ranks among the great achievements of twentieth-century verse.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous writing, unmatched by any
Miller outdoes any other Christian author with these books. The language flows beautifully, keeping the pages turning. Read more

Published on April 21 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars the beauty of words, the beauty of song
My dad gave me his copy of The Singer without telling me anything about it. I'd ask and ask, but he would only tell me to keep reading.
I am so glad I never stopped. Read more

Published on Dec 5 2001 by Casey K. Carlson

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing Allegory
Calvin Miller has created something beautiful here. The Singer is the story of Christ, the Song is the story of the proliferation of the Gospel in the book of Acts, and the Finale... Read more

Published on May 25 2000 by C. Todd Wylie

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Calvin Miller!
I first read "The Singer" in 1974 on a trip from New Mexico to Memphis, and was profoundly moved by its writing style and its content. Read more

Published on April 26 2000 by Ruth Witherington

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! An epic retelling of the life of Christ.
Simply beautiful. It is rare to find such an uplifting book in these dark times. Now it is more common to find a spoof of the life of Jesus than a Christian book based upon it... Read more

Published on Sep 18 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative and emotionally satisfying. Beautifully written
I heard Calvin Miller speak in one of the chapel services at Trinity International University a few years ago. Read more

Published on Aug 17 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable!!
I first read 'The Singer' books while in high school, years ago. I am not a religious sort, bordering more on some form of anti-religious status really, but these books left a... Read more

Published on May 6 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written New Testament allegory
The first time I read this book I wasn't aware it was a Christian allegory. I was enthralled by the beautiful language and verse-like presentation. Read more

Published on Oct 21 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian allegory in the tradition of Pilgrim's Progress.
In the beginning was the song of love.

Alone in empty nothingness and space

It sang itself through vaulted halls above

Reached gently... Read more

Published on Aug 4 1997

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