Review of: O Love How Deep by Diana Maryon

This is a captivating tale of three lives intertwined by mind and soul. We get a glimpse from a scholar, through a diary of letters kept, of the ups and downs of a life that was far from easy. Frustration from being denied a PhD well-earned but not received for twenty-five years, frustration for a forlorn love that would not go away for nearly 40 years of life, frustration from a growing liberal bent in her Anglican Church that she dearly loved, frustration from living across the ocean from her roots and family, and frustration with the choices her adult children made in their lives, all make her life real for those who read it.

 

Rarely do we get a real-life glimpse of those whose lives are intertwined in the ivory palaces of the academic world. The reader will discover that those whose lives are lived in academe are just like the lives of those whose lives are lived outside their world; it gets messy, even with those who profess the Christian faith.

 

Even though you will encounter Greek, Latin, French and some German interspersed throughout this book, I did not find it to be too laborious. It will not keep you from staying riveted to the unfolding story of the lives of Diana, Sim and David which begins in Cambridge and travels throughout the world.

 

I believe there are important life-lessons that will be learned from Diana Maryon’s sharing her story with the world so frankly. For those who persevere in life and faith there is indeed satisfaction, peace and joy. 

 

As a pastor deeply concerned with Christian life and marriage as they are lived, I heartily recommend this book.

 

Jim Hughes, author of C Through Marriage.