About book The Crowd, The Critic And The Muse: A Book For Creators (2012)
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I bought the ebook on a whim because I am a "creator" of art (specifically a writer), and also because I kinda wanted to check up on one of my favorite musicians and make sure he hadn't gone off the deep end.But Gungor is a deep thinker. A little wacky at points, but he acknowledges this; regardless, he's right. This is a great book for those who make any kind of art, specifically because it talks about motivation. Where does our motivation come from? The critics? Wanting to please everyone? Or somewhere deeper?Having just finished another book about Creation and being in awe of God because of it, this book completed a lot of thoughts. I am created in God's image. It's worshipful for me to write (create) for his glory. But my motivation needs to be in the right place--it should overflow out of the wonder and awe of God and his creation, not out of an attempt to please people (something I am often guilty of...).It untangled some of my worries about writing. I often wonder if I need to be more allegorical, more gospel-sharing through my stories. But if I did so, it would be out of fear. It would be a tract. Instead, why can't I point toward true beauty with my writing and worship God with every word I put down? Doesn't that come out of a more honest, less fearful place? Wouldn't it bring him more glory that way?I hesitate to call this book "inspirational" because that's apparently a genre now. That word has lost a lot of meaning. But it fits in a very real sense. I have been deeply inspired to write by this book. As someone who is particularly interested in musicology and industry, I think that this is a very significant piece of writing that has shed light on the contemporary Christian movement of music. Outside of genre, Michael Gungor sees a real need for the artist (particularly the American artist) to return to his/her craft, and to let go of the comfort of keeping one's art in a box of "what would sell." In addition, he addresses the state of music on three levels: the artists themselves as creators (how to listen to voice of the muse and also create art that is worth creating); the culture of music being currently more inclined toward "[gathering], momentarily around wherever the biggest, brightest light seems to be" (Gungor, 53) as opposed to really listening; and the impact of the music industry as a whole in creating boxes through genre and target audiences that tend to (but not always) exploit the artist for profit and stagnate the artist's creative ability.While all this is particularly fascinating to me, a fellow creator, one point that Gungor also highlights is that everyone was made to be a creator. I think the only unfortunate limitation of this book that it is particularly aimed toward musicians, then poets, then painters, photographers, etc. There are some really beautiful and poignant moments in this book that would make for a "good read" for non-art oriented people--perspectives that are important for American culture and the American church to consider (EX: Gungor promotes faith defined by openness and challenges fundamentalism). Overall, this has been a very refreshing read and I am more aware and informed because of its content. But at its core, this book is a perfect blend of work vs. play. I consider it a book that is for my "pleasure reading." You'll laugh as Gungor tells of his quirkiness and awkward stories, and you'll admire his moments of pure poetry that is full of life. You'll feel like he's someone who is very human, a familiar friend that you feel you know after reading his words. From my perspective, a must read for musicians. Please do yourself a favor and buy a copy.-KJC
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Loved this book. The authenticity and the honesty was refreshing.
—angie
