This book review is long, long overdue. Usually I review a book within a couple weeks of receiving it, but this one arrived over six weeks ago! Yikes!
I am very conflicted about this book - I'll do my best to explain why. When I read the summary, I thought I would love this book and I was thrilled to be reviewing it. But when it came and I actually started reading, I really labored over it. The first few chapters were mind-boggling. Each time I picked up the book, I literally got a headache and had to put it down within a few minutes. I was thrown off by Wilson's style and really struggled to keep reading. It was the first time I seriously considered not finishing a book I was given to review. For me personally, the first chapters felt like I *was* on a tilt-a-whirl. Since I wasn't following the book clearly, it felt like I was being spun around and couldn't tell up from down.
Then, about four or five chapters in, I started to catch on a little bit, like I finally learned to go with the rhythm of the ride. Soon I was pausing to marvel at Wilson's insight. He changed the way I thought about creation, heaven and hell. Throughout my days, I found myself thinking back to the book and looking at the world around me differently. And isn't that what a good book is? Not only did it change my thinking, it stuck with me and changed how I viewed life.
Overall, the poetic style of this book was difficult for me to follow. I wasn't expecting it and I usually prefer books to be more straight-forward. However, Wilson wrote such profound things that I want to read it again sometime. Since I'm prepared for the unusual style, I think I'll enjoy it better.
Now that I am (finally!) finished with that book, I can start on the next two books on my list: Crazy for God by Frank Schaeffer (a gift from my sister) and The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller (a gift from my friend, Megan). I'm taking a short break from reviewing books for publishers to read these two!
**A copy of this book was given to me through BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.
