Mania

Mania, Lionel Shriver (Harper Collins, 2024) 

Yet again I have been struck by Lionel Shriver’s insight and humour. She has an astonishing ability to explore societal trends through fictional characters and situations, and I have enjoyed many of her books over the years.

This new offering presents an alternative world where intelligence (or more specifically, the lack of it) has become the primary social justice issue. It began in 2010 with the release of a book suggesting that discrimination against dumb people was the last civil rights fight. This startled a trickle, which quickly became a torrent stating that there was no difference in intellect, merely different processing issues. In due course, it became socially unacceptable to refer to anyone’s intelligence or lack thereof. Shriver shows us where this naturally leads. 

Early on there are numerous language changes to adapt to: removal of terms like dumbwaiter, dense, dumbbells, thick, bovine, bright, and quick. Knives could not be described as sharp, clothes could not look smart, Smarties had to change their name, and there could be no mention of turkeys or sage at Thanksgiving. Many TV shows were cancelled, including Big Bang Theory and Sherlock Holmes. Newspapers removed all crosswords, lest anyone feel traumatised by being unable to do them.  

Over the following 5-10 years all school tests are abolished, no entry requirements are needed to attend university, anyone can be issued with a degree, and no one who applies for a job can be refused. Consider surgeons with no qualifications, aeroplane engineers who do not understand hydraulic systems, and food preparations not held to any standards. On the World Stage, America (and the West) have begun to fall apart, Russia has invaded Europe and China controls all of Asia. In this world, Obama is seen as too elite and intelligent, so is a one-term President. Amusingly, the next two presidents echo this world’s reality.  

It’s written from the perspective of Pearson Converse, of average intellect, who is a university English lecturer. She was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness, but rejected it in her teens. She has three children and a loving husband, and fights against the lunacy of the changes going on around her. Yet her best friend, Emory, has become a champion of the Mental Parity (MP) movement and has a platform on CNN from which to project them.  

I highlighted so many quotes, I couldn’t possibly share them all with you - but here is a sample to get the idea: 

“Emory drummed her fingers during the traditional scramble for vocabulary that hadn't yet been exiled to the naughty step.” 

“Social hysterias do not stand still if they are not yet losing steam, they are getting worse. And this one was getting worse. Radical movements keep ratcheting up their demands, because nothing ennervates a course more than success.” 

“By this point it's indisputable that human beings will believe anything. Accordingly, a wide variety of historical phenomena that once confounded me now seem explicable, if not ordained. I'm no longer astonished by the Holocaust and there's no country in the world that I would deem impervious to the modern equivalent of a Nazi takeover.” 

“I haven't adopted a revolutionary way of looking at the world that I'm intent on imposing on everyone else. Everyone else is imposing their revolution on me. All I've done is refuse to capitulate. I stayed in the exact same place while the rest of the world has careened off to la-la land.”

Shriver has strong views and she does not hesitate to weave them into her writing with an acerbic edge, harshness, and dark humour. All of her writing is strongly anti-religious. She is clearly addressing the social justice, inclusivity, diversity and the cancel culture of the Western world. Even when I disagree with her perspective, or hold another opinion, I love her writing. She makes me think, question, and consider.

My year in books

At the end of last year, my regular annual post at TGCA was published - My Year in Books. I share it with you below - regular readers will note that I already reviewed these here over the year, but there are a few extras - notably the podcasts and the fiction. 

1. The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing (Jonathan Pennington)

Pennington’s theological commentary on the Sermon on the Mount was a highlight of my biblical study. Eminently readable yet scholarly, Pennington sets a vision for Matthew 5–7 as Jesus’ invitation to live a full and flourishing life in the Father’s kingdom. It broadened my understanding and appreciation for this well-known sermon and provided an overarching thematic structure to explore it in depth. As a speaker, I would have appreciated more movement from exegesis to application. However, as a Bible reader and believer, I was well-fed.

2. You Are Welcomed (Trish Donahue)

This 10-week devotional for women was an encouraging balm and a challenging prompt. Subtitled Devotions for When Life Is a Lot, it speaks directly to women in their busyness, overwhelm and struggles. Donahue emphasises the grace and rest offered to us in Christ, while pushing us toward a desire for godly growth. You Are Welcomed prompted me to reflect and pray, trusting in our good God who remains with us through life’s complicated seasons.

3. Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow (Nancy Guthrie)

While some books theoretically unpack grief and loss, this tender offering is about experiencing grief and loss and continuing to hold onto Jesus. Guthrie writes having lost two children in their infancy. Amid her grief, she recognised she could turn to Jesus, saying like Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). Guthrie explores different things Jesus said, some that are comforting and some that are harder to hear. Pastorally sensitive and biblically astute.

4. 7 Myths about Singleness (Sam Allberry)

This is a great book for single and married alike. We live in a church culture where marriage is held up as the model for Christians, and unfortunately, singleness can be viewed as deficient, lesser and a second prize. Allberry’s purpose is to show the inherent goodness and value of singleness. With warmth, pastoral care and honesty, he addresses myths about singleness like: it’s too hard or easy; and it means no family nor intimate relationships. Ultimately, marriage and singleness are upheld with honour, value and esteem.

5. Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus (Nancy Guthrie)

Yes, another one by Guthrie. She led a day conference in Adelaide this year and I was already a fan. Here she considers different people’s interactions with Jesus in the Gospels—those who came to love and serve him, and those who rejected him. She approaches each story through a biblical theology lens, drawing together threads I had not noticed from across the biblical accounts. Useful for established Christians, this book could also help seekers or new believers to gain a more rounded understanding of Jesus.

6. Fight Right (Julie and John Gottman)

Running a marriage ministry keeps me looking for new resources. The Gottmans have expanded their already impressive body of work with this book on conflict. They consider how couples get stuck in perpetual problems—why they fight, what they are fighting about and the patterns they fall into—and explore how to change these common mistakes into opportunities for connection and understanding. Those wanting a Christian framework will need to look elsewhere. However, the Gottmans use well-established research, are realistic and offer couples hope.

7. Podcast: The Heart of Mission (CMS SANT)

Produced by CMS SANT, this podcast primarily interviews gospel workers, covering both their personal experiences and wider theological discussion. I’ve been deeply encouraged to see the many ways that God is at work among the nations, and personally challenged to refocus my heart for mission.

8. Podcast: The Imperfects

This podcast features honest interviews with guests revealing their personal hardships, imperfections and vulnerabilities. Of particular note are episodes with in-house psychologist Dr Emily. She explores topics like anxiety and self-doubt, both educating and equipping the listener with tools for self-understanding and improved mental health. Other stand-out episodes included Maybe it’s Menopause and the searingly raw account of a new father’s postnatal depression (Jack Post-Natal Depression).

9. Various Fiction

Needing some lighter reading for refreshment, I dived into some long series (20 plus books each). I have enjoyed the self-appointed arbiter of justice— Lee Child’s Jack Reacher—and the various crime-solving characters of David Baldacci. I particularly enjoyed seeing the city of LA’s legal and law enforcement systems change from the 1980s to the present day through the exploits of a police investigator Harry Bosch and defence lawyer Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer) in Michael Connelly’s crime fiction. If you attempt any of these, read them chronologically to appreciate the meta-narratives.