Book Review: Through Painted Deserts
Recently, I finished Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller. Through Painted Deserts is a recollection of the events and thoughts that occured while he and Paul, a man he met only months before, traveled from Houston, TX to Oregon and beyond. These two friends endured this trek in a Volkswagon van that required many “tune-ups” on their journey. From the Grand Canyon to the coffee shops in Portland, the book gives great insight into the author of Blue Like Jazz.
Donald Miller uses incredible detail to give you a perfect mental picture of where they travel and the things the encounter. There are times where he spends pages saying, “The place was beautiful”. At first this bothered me but towards the end I rather enjoyed picturing the landscapes, the broken down Volkswagon, and the young ladies he and Paul drool over.
The more I look back on this book, the more I like it. It helps to know that you are not the only one asking the “Why” questions. As a “Christian” (post on this word coming soon), we don’t concern ourslef with the “How” question of creation, but instead, we concern oursleves with the “Why” of God’s plan. Donald Miller does a great job of showing his struggles with this question, in uninhibited form.
If you read Blue Like Jazz this is definitely a recommended read. Donald Miller gives you an uncensored look into his struggles, thoughts, and cravings. This openness, allows for a better understanding and a more complete picture of Blue Like Jazz, not to mention, the free trip to the Grand Canyon.
