The Relation of My Imprisonment

The Relation of My Imprisonment is a novel that creatively employs a form invented by imprisoned Puritan divines in the seventeenth century. These 'relations' were designed to be exemplary, serving as figurative dramatizations of the trials of faith that all true believers must endure. Typically read aloud during religious services, these works were highly artificial yet deeply sincere in their recounting of suffering./n/nRussell Banks uses this form self-consciously, engaging in a good-humored dialogue with the mindset it represents. By exploring and mapping the limits of this mind, Banks aims to understand and love it more intelligently. The novel is a blend of historical form and contemporary narrative, offering a unique perspective on faith, suffering, and the human condition.