The Miracle: A Review

I do not serve a megachurch--we are fairly well-sized, for a mainline Protestant congregation, but we are far from being the kind of church that serves as the focal point for Nathan Monk's novel, The Miracle. Neither am I an evangelical, much less a charismatic Christian.  So the world drawn by Monk (there is a certain irony in his name) is one that is rather foreign to me.

I am, however, like the protagonist, Patrick Thackery, a preacher's kid.  And while I never felt any pressure to become a pastor myself, I do understand the inevitable internal comparisons.  And certainly some of the emotions experienced by Thackery ring very true.

That said, one of the chief difficulties with the book was the fact that much of it did not ring true.  Again, that may be due to my contextual naiveté.  But I suspect that is only part of it.  The book often feels in need of a bit of subtlety.  There are, for instance, points in the story where Thackery is reflecting on his evolving spirituality that are rather flat-footed.  

I did read the whole book, and didn't have to force myself to finish it.  But it seemed like a first draft, in need of shaping, pruning . . . serious editing. 

I wish I could be more positive.  Monk deals with an important set of issues.  But the story itself doesn't carry the weight of them.   

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.