Daniel Taylor: “In writing Letters to My Children, I discovered afresh what I already knew as a teacher of literature: stories tell us who we are. Tell Me a Story is an exploration of how we live in and are shaped by stories. Writing it required me to look at the stories that have shaped my own life and to explore how stories of all kinds—including our personal stories—tell each of us how to live.”
“Call it narratology, and we flee, squealing in fear. But call it simply story, and we pull our chairs up to listen. This warm, approachable book examines how our personal narratives color our interpretation of the world and our place within it.
“Taylor has a spiritual, even religious intent: “To name and embrace your stories is to accept your God-given freedom.” Stories, he argues, teach us how to live responsibly and how to understand others. They move us from chronos, clock time, to kairos, ‘time redeemed.’
“Once he has established the importance of narrative, Taylor moves to the real meat of his book: how to heal stories that are broken, plots that are wounded and wounding. What follows might have been just another serving of self-help advice, but instead, Taylor soars, challenging us to examine our stories not only in terms of their personal utility but for evidence of healthy or diseased community relations.” Booklist
“This book is so good I kept putting off writing a review on it, afraid my words would not do it justice. Daniel Taylor explores the ways that STORY has power in our lives. We have our master stories which shape the way we view our world. We have our cultural and community stories. They all are interwoven in the core of our beings.
“His stories and his understanding of story are so powerful. This book should be required reading for anyone who works with story, any psychologist or minister. I mark up books with wise words. This one must have drained the ink out of two or three pens with all the quotable, wise words I triple starred.”
Another reader:
“Short, insightful, highly readable, and mind-opening, this book sheds light, not heat, on such topics as diversity, individualism, and values. He helped me see the importance of taking personal responsibility for my actions, and the role story can play in helping me live up to my ideals. The idea of seeing myself as a character in a story gives me the perspective to do what I already know is right.”
Another reader:
“This is truly a wonderful book, one to be read and savored for the way that it shows us how important story is to our lives. I especially liked his section on character versus personality. Stories have the power to touch us in a way that nothing else can, and the only way that this book could have been any better was if it were a story.”
Another reader:
“This is one of the most enlightening books I have ever read. I’ve always known that narrative was an essential part of human life, but had never had the process of story so succinctly and eloquently spelled out. Taylor is obviously from an academic setting, but he parses the elements of story and elevates the role of narrative in way that is very clear and personable. I could see the book used in a variety of settings: church, school, university, book clubs and so on.”
Another reader:
“This book was one of the most meaningful books I’ve ever read. Not only was the read enjoyable, but the content was life changing for me. I learned from this book what recognizing your own story does for you. I continue to refer to it and give copies away today.”
