Antonio Monda, who teaches in the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, interviewed a group of writers and artists to learn about their views on God, faith, and religion. He wanted to see how belief or non-belief affected their lives and their work. This diverse group included members of various faiths: Paul Auster, Saul Bellow, Nathan Englander, Spike Lee, Grace Paley, Elie Weisel, and Martin Scorsese are examples. The conversations raise questions about the place of religion in the modern world, the existence of good and evil, and the meaning of faith. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction about the person and his/her work. The conversations are fascinating, revealing a wide range of belief or the lack thereof and diverse conceptions of what a supreme power might be. Derek Walcott still envisions God as an old white man while Nathan Englander states that whoever wrote the Bible is God. Jane Fonda says that Jesus was a feminist while Toni Morrison believes in “an intelligence interested in what exists and respectful of what is created.”
This small book will stimulate lively discussions in book clubs and classes. It will also provide inspiration for those preparing drashot. It is a fine addition to collections in public, academic, and synagogue libraries.
