This is a small volume and a collection of short true stories. The author, Walter Wangerin, Jr., spreads his content among ten parts and and 22 chapters. He doesn't include an introduction but he does includes an Epilogue. This author, Walter Wangerin, Jr., has written over 40 books. He is widely acclaimed as being one of the most talented authors of our time. This author has written in almost every genre. Wangerin has won the National Book Award, several Gold Medallion Awards, the NEW YORK TIME'S Best Children's Book of the Year Award.
I expected a thicker and denser book because of Walter Wangerin Jr's last works which I have read. But it is not a large or dense book. But it is a thick and thought-provoking read. In each chapter the author tells a story from his own life. The stories don't always come with happy endings. Questions in the stories aren't always resolved at the end. This is because this is the way life works. Each story is told to drive home a lesson through showing, not telling. The author often includes stories from his family life. A number of the stories are confessional in nature. Many of the stories don't offer easy answers. But they are honest in their impact. But I found that I had to go over some of the stories because they seem choppy or disjointed. This is my opinion. But every story is powerful in its own right. I found the chapter near the end most thought-provoking. The author's son's reaction to the author, as a dad, acted as a mirror to the father. The message of that story was apparently it isn't okay for a person to be excellent in his/her life work but act badly with one's loved ones.
I recommend this book for any Christian at any stage of growth. Non-Christians may enjoy it because there it is light on theology and God talk. It is an enjoyable read and at the same time makes you think.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.
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