"An Honest Day's..." Trilogy
These three books were intended to be the "antidote" to the Lipschitz trilogy—the Yang at the end of Ezra's Yin. Prayers, Odes, and Confessions intended to uplift, encourage, and hopefully make us smile, if not laugh out loud. Though Nathan does not sacrifice a head-on, and at times hard-edged, honesty for the sake of a punch line. There are some sweet tears in here as well. More specifically, the books were meant to be talismans of hope for his daughter, Sierra, in these difficult and trying cultural and societal times.
An Honest Day’s Prayer is the first in a trilogy of books that Nathan Brown promised, and is dedicating to, his daughter Sierra. The series is intended to be an encouragement to her while still being honest about the state of the world in these times of political unrest, cultural uncertainty, and the government’s denial about the health of the planet.
An Honest Day’s Prayer is unique in that each poem begins with some form or version of “Thank you…” “Grant us…” “Bless, Help, or Forgive us…” while, at the same time never mentioning the name of any god or supernatural entity. Brown is speaking to the cosmos here—or, whatever “being” the reader would like to invoke. He also laid down the rule of “no blue language.” A condition that does not come naturally to him.
From cheese to trees, to frogs, dogs, and beautifully crazy neighbors, this book covers a beautiful spectrum of prayers and praises to the everyday things of everyday life. But it also does it with Nathan’s unique vision and angle on the world that Naomi Shihab Nye once referred to as “a tilted long-ranging eye that sees the next bend in the road, even when he’s standing right here, firmly planted.”
An Honest Day’s Ode is the second in a trilogy of books that Nathan promised, and is dedicating to, his daughter Sierra. An Honest Day’s Prayer was the first,and An Honest Day’s Confessionwill soon follow. The series is intended to be an encouragement to her while still being honest about the state of the world in these times of political unrest, cultural uncertainty, and the government’s denial about the health of the planet.
An Honest Day’s Ode is a collection of “hymns of praise” to follow Nathan’s book of prayers. He sings to “Spilled Milk” and the “Jalapeño,” as well as to the “Bassoon” and “Tequila.” Two of his most popular are the very poignant odes to a “Young Soldier” and the “White Man.” Again, he laid down the rule of “no blue language.” A condition that does not come naturally to him.
In these times of cultural upheaval and political darkness, he wanted to give his daughter these songs of “looking up,” despite the evidence. Filled with smiles, but also the honesty of wistful reflection, An Honest Day’s Odegives us a genuinely thought-provoking “way out” of the everyday drudgery and craziness of the 21st Century’s troubled teen years.
An Honest Day’s Confession is the third in a trilogy of books that Nathan promised, and is dedicating to, his daughter Sierra. An Honest Day’s Prayer was the first,and An Honest Day’s Ode, the second. The series is intended to be an encouragement to her while still being honest about the state of the world in these times of political unrest, cultural uncertainty, and the government’s denial about the health of the planet.
An Honest Day’s Confession rounds out the series by, possibly, being a little more honest with his daughter about life and culture, while still striving to remain positive and hopeful. All three books laid down the rule of “no blue language.” A condition that does not come naturally to Brown.
From the Seven Deadly Sins to an in depth look at the lives and nature of many of the Patron Saints, as well as Saint Augustine, this book covers a dangerous but necessary territory. Yet it also does it with Nathan Brown’s unique vision and often searing angle on the world.