A lyrical, philosophically astute account of a handful of conversions to traditional religious faith ... It is Ms. Osgood’s own journey that proves to be the book’s emotional throughline. In particular, Ms. Osgood’s struggle with anorexia provides a compelling contrast in values ... An affirming [tale] about the value of understanding ourselves as part of a wider community of seekers.
As a narrator, Osgood is affable and erudite, able to take smooth detours into the writings of Tolstoy, Plath, and Augustine, and others who have wrestled with religion and its place in society ... Osgood writes movingly about her experiences with Shabbat, which she enjoys as a source of community, routine, and time spent off her phone ... But even she realizes that her voluble, pluralistic analysis of the tradition doesn’t fully capture its power.
Osgood intersperses anecdotes from her life throughout the first six accounts, culminating in her own conversion story. Fans of Kate Bowler and Anne Lamott will appreciate Osgood’s thoughtful, engaging examination of a timely topic.
