What a Secular Atheistic Jew Discovers About Pain and Endurance
If you are suffering from emotional or physical pain, relief is beautifully painted in Andrew Klavan’s autobiography, The Great Good Thing.
Seeing the great good thing doesn’t happen for Klavan until he comes to terms with his childhood pain.
Pain evolved despite the idyllic suburban life of the Great Gatsby neighborhood in Great Neck, NY.
Andrew Klavan’s neighborhood in the Go-Go sixties and seventies
His father was a super star DJ on the most popular drive time radio show in NYC. But, the white picket images of the neighborhood could not mask his father’s rage and his mother’s cold indifference.
Rarely do I read a book I can’t close. But, there are so many gems here, I must share three.
Follow the story wherever it goes
No matter what your emotional pain is, you must never give up on your passion. God made you that way. A great lesson from the book is to follow the story wherever it goes.
“But, a writer to find his voice, must first find himself.” Andrew Klavan
The human heart is story not science.
Story captures the inner life.
Klavan sees therapy and theology as markers for the path.
Some people need therapy before they are well enough to see theology.
Play through the pain
Even in the middle of pain, anger and alcohol, Klavan practiced his passion and gift.
He wrote early and often even as he wrestled the demons.
Late one night over a cigarette, scotch and a Mets game, he is ready to end it all.
Rudolf Vlcek/Moment/Getty images
Exhaling the smoke around his drink, he catches a comment from the announcer.
