I never heard of Andrew Peterson before I picked up Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making. I discovered this book by happenstance and was initially reluctant because I had just read a book on writing by another Christian that disappointed me. But I quickly changed my mind when I discovered the author was a songwriter as well as an author of fantasy books (a man after my own heart!). And the book, like its author, also went after my heart.
About the author
Andrew Peterson is an award-winning singer, songwriter, author, and filmmaker. He is the founder of the Rabbit Room, “a ministry dedicated to fostering spiritual formation and Christ-centered community through story, art, and music.”
About the book
Adorning the Dark is about the process and mystery of creating art. In this book, Peterson provides us with behind-the-scenes stories of his journey in writing songs to encourage his readers as they also pursue their calling. It is not your typical how-to-write book. Adorning the Dark serves more like a memoir or autobiography with select stories to illustrates specific points about creativity.
Though Peterson mostly pulled from his songwriting experience, Adorning the Dark applies to Christians who seek to use their creativity in the service of their Creator with beauty and excellency.
The book is divided into sixteen chapters, each loaded with stories and anecdotes from the author’s life, and a lesson on creativity to harmonize them. Some of the topics covered include serving the work, serving the audience, selectivity, discernment, discipline, and community. The book also features an afterword with a list of pointers on art and a useful list of book recommendations.
My thoughts
Adorning the Dark was very well written —which is always good on a book on writing. I loved the writing style, imagery, and humor Peterson employed throughout his book. It made it easy to read and extremely enjoyable.
Content-wise, I must say, the book was not what I expected. I didn’t expect it to be so personal and feature that much storytelling. Peterson’s honesty and transparency about his writing journey and the struggles he faced deeply resounded with me. I could relate to some of the things he went through, and I appreciated his encouraging words.
However, as much as I enjoyed learning more about his life, I thought he rambled off at times, and ome of his stories seemed neither here nor there. Also, I think the book leaned too much on the memoir side than on the writing. If you are already familiar with Peterson, it might be a treat. But if like me, you have never heard of him or almost all the names he dropped, it might not be that thrilling. Also, it isn’t really a criticism, but he mentioned Rich Mullins way too much in this book.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading Adorning the Dark. The pieces of advice Peterson gave were useful, Christ-centered, and I loved how he wove it through real-life stories. Thanks to this book, I am more encouraged to produce art with honesty, beauty, truth and to do my best to adorn this dark world with the light of Christ.
My recommendation
I recommend this book mostly to fans of Andrew Peterson and Christian writers (songs, books, poetry, etc.). I wholeheartedly agree with the author that we are all creatives, but I think this book is more pertinent and beneficial to writers.
*B&H Publishing graciously gave me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Favorite quotes
Your story, then, is yours and no one else’s. Each sunset is different, depending on where you stand.
Preface
The best thing you can do is to keep your nose to the grind-stone, to remember that it takes a lot of work to hone your gift into something useful and that you have to learn to enjoy the work —especially the parts you don’t enjoy.
Chapter 1: Bach’s Secret Weapon
We may want something harmless, but if it’s out of place, if it comes before the right thing, then what’s benign becomes malignant. We want the wrong thing.
Chapter 1: Bach’s Secret Weapon
Since we were made to glorify God, worship happens when someone is doing exactly what he or she was made to do.
Chapter 2: In the Beginning
The Christian’s calling, in part is to proclaim God’s dominion in every corner of the world—in every corner of our hearts, too.
Chapter 3: Scared and Sacred
You can think and plan and think and plan some more, but none of that is half as important as doing something, however imperfect or incomplete it is. Intention trumps execution.
Chapter 4: Behold the Lamb
We are not invited into this because God needs us, but because He wants us.
Chapter 4: Behold the Lamb
We are most ourselves when we think less about ourselves.
Chapter 5: A Matter of Life or Death
Truth without beauty can be a weapon; beauty without truth can be spineless; the two together are like lyric and melody.
Chapter 9: Serving the Work
