A View from the Ridge: The Testimony of a Twentieth-Century Christian

Now 80, bestselling novelist West (The Shoes of the Fisherman, 1963) offers a lyrical ""testimony of a pilgrim"" who ""now pauses to draw breath and get his courage up for the last stage of the journey."" This spiritual memoir touches upon the events of West's life--his monastic education, military service and family struggles, for example--but ties reminiscences to questions of faith. What, he asks, is evil, and why should we forgive? Why are children victims of violence? How can individual values coexist with inflexible institutions? Why are church hierarchies unlike Jesus? Peppered with excerpts from his 20-plus novels, West's memoir will fascinate his fans. No prior acquaintance with his work is required, however, to appreciate the magnificent concluding chapter in which he faces death, proclaims his hard-won faith and affirms his optimism. ""I am a happy spendthrift,"" West says, ""of the golden days that have been granted to me."" (Oct.)