Has anyone read Nick Honrsby’s novel How To Be Good? I was
very intrigued by the novel and have wanted to talk with someone about it. I’ve
read several books lately (nonfiction) that implore the American public—specifically
people of faith—to use their wealth to help the poor and to use their energy
towards humanitarian efforts. Some
of the books challenge readers to literally obey Christ by selling all they
have and giving it to the poor.
How To Be Good is a fiction that treats this subject matter with honesty, humor, and a degree of disillusionment. Shortly after a major fight that leads both characters to consider divorce, the protagonist’s husband has a spiritual revelation that radically alters his lifestyle. He begins to feel convicted for his family’s embarrassment of riches (i.e. more than one computer, more than one TV, food on the table—the kind of riches many of us take for granted on a day to day basis). He begins a neighborhood project, convincing people in his street to take in homeless kids and give them a new lease on life.
(I don’t want to ruin the plot for anyone so SPOILER ALERT, don’t read on!)
The project doesn’t necessarily fail, but only a few of the kids stay in the neighborhood. What’s more disappointing: the husband admits that the feelings that followed his spiritual revelation have long since faded and that he is only being good out of a desire to capture that original fire. Though the couple decides to stay married, there’s almost a sense of drudgery to their decision: they can make it, but it won’t be easy. There’s no spiritual renewal to inspire new love or at least affection. You finish the book feeling as though they tried to be good, they did so-so, and life will go one much as it went on before.
The book only complicated thoughts I’d already been having about these issues. What’s our obligation to help those around us who are in need? And can we really make a difference or will we just end up burnt-out, washed up, and disappointed? As a kid who grew up in youth group attending every summer camp, every revival, and every Wednesday night prayer meeting, I can’t seem to muster any desire for revolution or big change. But that doesn’t leave me free from the obligation to be good….
