Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering

After returning the same book borrowed from a friend my husband wanted his own copy. I purchased this book for him since the seller was noted as a veteran and also that is stated it was like new condition.

I knew that "Drops Like Stars" was on its way. But when the UPS man delivered it, I was surprised to say the least. The box was much bigger and heavier than I anticipated. I opened it up to find Rob Bell's newest book - more like a coffee table book or a yearbook than a typical book. The look, the feel, the brightness of color immediately left an impression on me. Though I hadn't planned on it, I opened the book up and read it cover to cover in about an hour. It is by far the largest book in my library, but probably one of the shortest in terms of written content as well. But make no mistake - much is said here. Between the pictures, the stories, and the thoughts offered by Bell, the reader is left with an amazing experience. The message is clear - out of suffering comes beauty, creativity, and expression. Art simply wouldn't capture us without the shared experience of suffering.I am continually amazed at the creativity that comes out of the Rob Bell camp. From the Nooma videos, the RPG associated with "Jesus Wants to Save Christians", the speaking tours - fans of Bell won't be disappointed with this latest effort.

I actually attended Rob's Drops Like Stars tour event back in 2011. When I saw the book was on sale, I jumped for a chance to dive back in to the subject matter.To be sure, the age old question of why an all-powerful, loving God would allow the kind of suffering we see in human existence is a tricky one, often talked about but rarely answered. Rob doesn't exactly answer the question, but he sure does give us a whole new way of looking at it.I suppose my only disappointment was the length of the book. I bought it thinking I could spend a week or so working through it, in the depth that it was covered during his tour, but instead I read it in 30 minutes before bed. A nice refresher, but I definitely wouldn't spend the regular retail price on it.

What I love most about this book is its versatility. Every time I read it I gain and learn something new from it. So it's always like reading it for the 1st time again, every time. It has brought me much comfort since my brother died.

A fascinating and unique book that is hard to describe. It's a book that has more art and pictures than it does words, and if you're not familiar with or appreciative of the postmodern artistic spirit, it may not make much sense. In this book, Rob Bell addresses the age old question of "theodicy" - how can a good God exist when there's suffering. Or, at least, what is the meaning or redemptive quality of suffering? What makes this book outstanding is that he addresses the issue not with the abstract, removed, philosophical approach of so many authors throughout history, but uses analogy and imagery to help the reader completely rethink the suffering we go through while never minimizing the pain it produces.What do bar soap sculptures have to do with the pain in our lives? Pick up this book and read to find out! It will definitely be worth your time, considering that it can be read in 30 minutes flat.

I have to preface this review that I am Rob Bell Junkie. The Jesus that he talks about I would like to get to know. Ive grown up a christian first a mormon and then a southern baptist which are fancy names for a rule/guilt based christianity. They make jesus a judge and that he did the ultimate for you now what are you going to do for him? Feel guilty that I cant be what he wants me to be is what Ill be! Oh yeah back to the book, this book dares to answer the question why do bad things happen to good people. The Answer -Read the book. Great book with lots of artistic qualities and it reads very quickly. There is a urinal carved out of soap on one of the pages, I kid you not! Enjoy, Rob will make you laugh and make you think

'Drops Like Stars' was originally released as a larger, art-project / coffee table book. This fun-sized paperback maintains the artiness while providing an easier to read and enjoy book. Bell mixes stories and (let's call them) lessons, some of which appear in some of his other books, with photos and artwork from collaborators to create a cool and helpful book about life, with a focus on - as the subtitle notes - creativity and suffering. Great book.

Rob Bell's exploration on the relationship between suffering and creativity with Drops Like Stars is rich, challenging and captures the essence of the creative life. It doesn't answer all the questions or give formulaic instructions for "recovery." Instead, it presents the most basic of concepts with a depth available for exploration.I believe everyone is creative, but creativity manifests differently in everyone. So, those who don't understand poetry or are not able to explore and interpret art without reading commentary will not enjoy this book. They are the ones who say it can be read in 10 minutes, or that it isn't worth the money because there are so few words on each page. I have read it, am rereading it, and will continue to read it as I explore the relationship of suffering and creativity in my own life.

It's a short book, but sparkles from time to time. Rob Bell has great turns of phrase and knows how to look at things from a different perspective to most of us. Having been through some tough times recently, I found his approach refreshing. Probably best to get the illustrated hardback though.

Rob Bell writes beautifully and the themes he examines are certainly there in my own experience. He manages to put into words "thoughts that lie too deep for tears". It is true, from all that has been said and all that has been written about suffering, that the truth lies somewhere between its' horror and the good it can birth in the human soul. God can truly change raindrops into stars as they smack into our reality, if we allow him to. Rob Bell opens our eyes to that truth in a gentle yet powerful way.

Nothing to the seller; simply a comment on the book itself - was so scant it was a waste of money. Read it in 15 minutes and got nothing out of it.

A beautiful book with wonderful photographs - but perhaps a triumph of design over content. Not typical Rob Bell but thought provoking non the less.

great book