We each have a life story, penned without ink, read by the people around us. Who's writing your story?

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Book Review: Epic: The Story God is Telling by John Eldredge

"Here's something that's perfect for you." My friend, Leslee, slid a little book across the table. I picked it up, glanced at the title, and smiled. Epic: The Story God is Telling. "You have to read it. It reminds me of your book."

My book . . . On Story. On trusting God to write your story. I just finished rewriting all ten chapters. My writing group, Leslee among them, has hung with me as we've read chapter after chapter, all gathered around my dining room table. Multiple viewpoints and opinions have wonderfully converged and spilled over onto my pages. We critique each other's manuscripts line by line. We've grown in our writing--and in our friendship.

So, I tucked John Eldredge's 104 page volume into my reading pile. Because of Leslee's markings throughout its pages, I felt like I read right along with her. I like this part, too, Les. Hmmm. Great thought. I found myself thinking about what I read. Some of the ideas paralleled the focus in my writings while other themes brought a familiar yet different twist. I found plenty of  premises fresh and new.

Here's a brief summary from the back of the book:
Sure, good things happen, sometimes beautiful things. But tragic things happen too. What does it mean? We find ourselves in the middle of a story that is sometimes wonderful, sometimes awful, usually a confusing mixture of both, and we haven't a clue how to make sense of it all. No wonder we keep losing heart.
We need to know the rest of the story.
For when we were born, we were born into the midst of a great story begun before the dawn of time. A story of adventure, of risk and loss, heroism . . . and betrayal. A story where good is warring against evil, danger lurks around every corner, and glorious deeds wait to be done. Think of all those stories you've ever loved--there's a reason they stirred your heart. They've been trying to tell you about the true Epic ever since you were young.
There is a Larger Story. And you have a crucial role to play.
I couldn't read Epic and then just pass it back to my friend. A few cliques on the Amazon website brought this story-book right to my front door. And now, I'm sliding the same little book across the table to you. Let me know how you enjoy it!

4 comments:

  1. Sarah,
    Thank you for your recommendation. I will get it on my Kindle. The I may pass it along to friends in hardcover or paperback.

    I have leaned to trust your suggestiosn. After all, I have shared many copies of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young with many of my friends. It is a book that keeps on giving . . .strength, courage, and comfot for every day.
    Blessings, Vi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great idea, Vi - to read books on your Kindle and then pass it on in hard copy. Epic helped me see God's story--and mine--from a different perspective, often using contemporary story examples. Let me know how you like it.

      Delete
  2. Love this book...and love YOURS, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sherry. Authors inspire each other. A great give and take!

      Delete