Melissa B. (MJB) reviewed on 7/21/2009 + 12 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 5

I received this book with great anticipation. The church I attend was planning a book discussion and I wanted to participate, which I subsequently attended.

I began reading the book and after the Prologue, began to doubt how I would like this book. That doubt continued throughout the reading of the entire book. And upon finishing, and even after attending two book discussions, I still do not like the book. I did learn how other people interpret what they read via the book discussions.

The style of the writing in the past-tense and passive, the naming of Mack's grief (The Great Sadness) which made it an entity into/of itself, his inability to provide what other members of his family needed because of his own grief, then the Wizard-of-Oz-like change from snow/dreary to technicolor springtime, the recreational attitude when he and Jesus walked on the water, God portrayed as a mother figure, the amazing finding of his child's body due to markings that professional searchers missed .... these and so many other elements of the book made it hard for me to like the book and the portrayals of God the Father, Spirit and Jesus. For me, the manner in which the message was delivered was not satisfactory. I did not come away from the reading or discussion of the reading uplifted as I know many people have.

I am now getting ready to read again 'The Screwtape Letters.' I read portions of it when I was in high school and feel it is time to revisit that book.

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