#10: Frederick Buechner 1992

Rewrite Radio

Episode 10 of Rewrite Radio features one of the oldest recordings in our Festival archive, Frederick Buechner speaking at our gathering in 1992. Frederick Buechner’s books—fiction, essays, sermons and more—have been translated into 27 languages and he has often been praised for his ability to inspire readers to see the grace in their daily lives. The London Free Press called him “one of our great novelists because he is one of our finest religious writers." He has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and has been awarded eight honorary degrees from institutions including Yale University and the Virginia Theological Seminary. In addition, Buechner has been the recipient of the O. Henry Award, the Rosenthal Award, the Christianity and Literature Belles Lettres Prize, and has been recognized by the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Joining us to talk about Buechner's 1992 talk, his first of two appearances here at Calvin, is Jennifer Holberg who, along with Jane Zwart, co-directs the Calvin Center for Faith & Writing. Jennifer is senior faculty in the English department at Calvin and editor of SHOUTS AND WHISPERS: TWENTY-ONE WRITERS SPEAK ABOUT THEIR WRITING AND THEIR FAITH, a collection of interviews and essays gleaned from past Festivals. She was introduced to Buechner’s work through her good friend, colleague, and former Festival director(1992-2004)Dale Brown, who can be heard introducing Buechner to the assembled audience as well on the recording. Many thanks to Frederick Buechner and the The Frederick Buechner Center. You can learn more about Buechner's life and work at www.frederickbuechner.com. And you see everything the Calvin Center for Faith & Writing is up to, including producing this very podcast, at ccfw.calvin.edu.