All the Beauty Still Left
A Poet's Painted Book of Hours
Published on 29. April 2021
Book
Hardback
128 pages
978-1-885983-96-1 (ISBN)
Description
"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."-Anne Frank
The illuminated medieval manuscripts known as Books of Hours have been used to guide contemplation and prayer for centuries, with their intricate designs and exquisite coloring. Devotional poet, priest, and National Book Award nominee Spencer Reece has revived the tradition with a collection of over 50 vibrant watercolors inspired by his life journeys and his reflections on faith. His brushstrokes guide us from the bustling restaurants of Madrid, to the expansive seas of Morocco, to the coastal tranquility of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Each painting faces a quote from an acclaimed writer or spokesperson that has inspired him, among them Emily Dickinson, James Baldwin, Elizabeth Bishop, Katharine Hepburn, and Janis Joplin. The perfect gift for Easter, Mother's Day, or any occasion, All the Beauty Still Left is a delight whose evocative images and memorable accompanying texts are sure to provoke contemplation and reflection for readers of all faiths.
The illuminated medieval manuscripts known as Books of Hours have been used to guide contemplation and prayer for centuries, with their intricate designs and exquisite coloring. Devotional poet, priest, and National Book Award nominee Spencer Reece has revived the tradition with a collection of over 50 vibrant watercolors inspired by his life journeys and his reflections on faith. His brushstrokes guide us from the bustling restaurants of Madrid, to the expansive seas of Morocco, to the coastal tranquility of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Each painting faces a quote from an acclaimed writer or spokesperson that has inspired him, among them Emily Dickinson, James Baldwin, Elizabeth Bishop, Katharine Hepburn, and Janis Joplin. The perfect gift for Easter, Mother's Day, or any occasion, All the Beauty Still Left is a delight whose evocative images and memorable accompanying texts are sure to provoke contemplation and reflection for readers of all faiths.
Reviews / Votes
"Inspired by medieval devotional guides, Reece creates a marvelous, contemporary Book of Hours. . . . These glowing pages will invite readers to their own contemplations throughout the day." -Publishers WeeklyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chappaqua
United States
Product notice
Paper over boards
Illustrations
54 watercolor paintings
Dimensions
Height: 158 mm
Width: 111 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-885983-96-1 (9781885983961)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Spencer Reece is a critically acclaimed poet and Episcopal priest whose work explores the complex fragility of faith and family. His debut poetry collection The Clerk's Tale received the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference Bakeless Poetry Prize and was adapted into a short film by James Franco; his second collection The Road to Emmaus was longlisted for the National Book Award and shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize. He is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize, a Whiting Award for poetry, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship, and a Witter Bynner Prize administered by the Library of Congress. He lives in Jackson Heights, New York, and is the Priest in Charge at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.