The Book of the People, by A.N. Wilson

You may know the prolific British author A.N. Wilson for his many novels, or for his biographical or historical works, like his biographies of C.S. Lewis or the Apostle Paul.  In The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible, Wilson takes the reader on a somewhat rambling trek through his experiences with scripture.

A bottom line for Wilson is that one should read the Bible as it was intended to be written, which primarily is poetry.  Even the historical and prophetic portions have a poetic element to them.  Wilson's approach is as much biographical and textual.  As he writes about the texts themselves, he weaves in accounts of his travels, art and architecture, and conversations and correspondence with his friends.

The Book of the People is certainly more an enjoyable memoir than a scholarly or systematic treatment that one might expect based on the subtitle.  Wilson is a pleasure to read, but the overall effect of the book is rather underwhelming.



Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!