Perspective

The book "Telling Secrets" is written by author Frederick Buechner. He is the first-person narrator of the account which is about his personal struggle in finding what he terms the "original person"—the person God intended him to be. Of course, since the story is about his life and family, there could be no better authority to pen this account. From his perspective as an ordained minister, Buechner has credibility in addressing the issues of God and faith.

The book's title, "Telling Secrets", comes from a familiar tradition in many families, which is to not speak about feelings and emotions. As a youngster, after his father committed suicide, Buechner learns to bury the past along with all the questions and feelings about the tragedy that would be normal for him to have. His personal narration of dealing with a life-long struggle to free himself from his past...