Featured Review: The Message? by Avam Hale

RussetDivinity · Post by **RussetDivinity** » 08 May 2015, 10:45

I have to admit, I'm always very impressed by your reviews, and this book looks like something I'd enjoy very much. It's definitely going on my reading list!

Lovely_Loreley · Post by **Lovely_Loreley** » 11 May 2015, 18:04

This book sounds very intriguing and much like what I love to read. Books about spiritual journeys can be so powerful, not to mention that they tend to leave behind some really memorable quotes! And I love that you mentioned how it made you think - one of the best qualities a book can have. I will definitely be looking into buying this for myself!

Gennykay · Post by **Gennykay** » 12 May 2015, 08:52

Hmmm. The review intrigues me more than the book's description. However, it doesn't sound like a book of my genres at all. In the authors defense, the author was able to get a "hmm" from me! I suppose I am one step closer! I will keep an eye out for this book- as for what purpose- yet to be determined!

ALynnPowers · Post by **ALynnPowers** » 12 May 2015, 09:13

Lovely_Loreley wrote:This book sounds very intriguing and much like what I love to read. Books about spiritual journeys can be so powerful, not to mention that they tend to leave behind some really memorable quotes! And I love that you mentioned how it made you think - one of the best qualities a book can have. I will definitely be looking into buying this for myself!

I definitely marked a lot of passages in the book that I especially liked. Thought-provoking and inspirational kinds of things. I am wondering if anyone else will have the same experience when reading...

nitesh · Post by **nitesh** » 12 May 2015, 21:01

I would definitely look forward to read this one.

vivadolce96 · Post by **vivadolce96** » 13 May 2015, 06:37

ALynnPowers wrote:[Following is the official review of "The Message?" by Avam Hale.]

4 out of 4 stars
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Avam Hale’s debut novel The Message?: A thinking thriller about change and choice was written with the intent to both entertain and challenge readers, and I am fairly certain that Hale has managed to accomplish such a task within the pages of this book. In a message from the author preceding the book, Hale states, “If I get even one ‘hmmm’ out of you I will have succeeded.” I definitely experienced a few moments of “hmmm” as I read this story.

Leah Warner was just a meek, mid-Western widower with two children when a tragic car accident sent her into a coma. Though her prognosis isn’t so great, after three weeks in an unresponsive state, a miracle occurs. Not only does she wake up, fully aware of her surroundings, but the external cuts and bruises on her body are practically healed, and her internal fractures are almost fully mended. Much to the amazement of her attending neurologist, she shows no sign of brain trauma.

But Leah also claims to have been with God while she was in her coma, and God has sent her back with a simple message to share with the world: He loves everyone unconditionally, and He wants everyone to set aside worldly possessions and achievement and just love each other as well. While Leah does not intend to endorse any particular religious affiliation as she spreads this message, she soon discovers that merely promoting such a simple concept of love and selflessness comes with consequences. Her message gets mixed up in philosophy, religion, politics, and economics as they all play a role in the lives of all Americans, regardless of whether or not they believe her story.

Despite my rather simple summary of the story, this book actually contains a variety of interesting characters whose lives and roles weave together to form the overall plot, which ultimately revolves around Leah Warner. Dr. Marcus, Leah’s neurologist, is my favorite of all of the characters. A man of science, but also a man of God, Dr. Marcus is a rather subtle hero in the book as he tends to be the one to bring all of the other characters together. He is also just a really nice guy, and I had a bit of crush on him as I was reading.

While this book is definitely entertaining, I wouldn’t exactly call it a “light read.” It will make you think about religious, political, economic, and philosophical ideas. The author is obviously well-educated and did appropriate research to discuss a variety of issues. However, I never felt like the book promoted any specific religious or political agenda. It was simply a very insightful, fictional story of how one woman came to believe in God from her own experience.

I give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. There were a handful of errors throughout the book, mostly in the form of missing periods at the end of short quotations, but these errors didn’t decrease the overall quality of the writing. They especially didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story as a whole. I recommend this book to readers who are looking for a book with deep meaning. Get ready to meet some interesting characters along the way.

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The Message?
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May I ask if this book is more targeted towards Christians? Or, can any religion read this?

ALynnPowers · Post by **ALynnPowers** » 13 May 2015, 08:45

vivadolce96 wrote:May I ask if this book is more targeted towards Christians? Or, can any religion read this?

The doctor of the story was Jewish, so I don't think it's geared toward Christians specifically at all.
And I seriously doubt that anyone from other religions will be forbidden from reading it.
I guess that's up to the reader if they want to or not.

Michelle-lit · Post by **Michelle-lit** » 15 May 2015, 12:46

ALynnPowers wrote:
PashaRu wrote:Thanks for a great review. This book sounds pretty interesting. The aspect of the main character's basic message of love and selflessness getting mixed up with philosophy, religion, and politics is intriguing, as this is what basically happened to Christianity and why it exists in such a severely adulterated form today. I wonder if the author had something similar in mind.
Perhaps. You might say the same thing about other monotheistic religions as well...

I'm glad to see that this book started out with a simple, common philosophy but added a twist to it. I will be reading it for the book of the month.

ALynnPowers · Post by **ALynnPowers** » 16 May 2015, 02:04

Would it be weird if I said that I am kind of getting nervous to hear that so many of you are actually going to be reading this book?
I've never really read books that are super popular, so now I am nervous about actually having someone to talk about stuff with.
What if I interpreted it all wrong? What if everyone reads the book and thinks that my review didn't do it justice? Or worse: what if everyone disagrees with me!?!?!
As you can see, I am quite paranoid.

Post by **bookowlie** » 16 May 2015, 08:01

You will have to wear a disguise so no one knows you are discussing the BOTM- ha ha ha.
Seriously, I would imagine this is what authors feel like when their book is the BOTM selection.

ALynnPowers · Post by **ALynnPowers** » 16 May 2015, 08:36

I'll put sunglasses on over my sunglasses so no one will recognize me.

Post by **bookowlie** » 16 May 2015, 08:47

ALynnPowers wrote:I'll put sunglasses on over my sunglasses so no one will recognize me.

I am sure your review did the book justice.

pretzelsnow · Post by **pretzelsnow** » 17 May 2015, 21:04

I just read and finished this book today, because I got encouraged by seeing your rating on it.

I really liked it and it was deep and great, my concentration/attention span wasn't that great this afternoon so I might reread it since it is a little bit philosophy heavy for my mind to process.

cherokee_rose · Post by **cherokee_rose** » 18 May 2015, 04:46

Very well-written review and I will be adding this book to my "to read" shelf.

2thefuture · Post by **2thefuture** » 18 May 2015, 21:42

Wow! Sounds intriguing no doubt. I'm interested to see how she portrays such a plot line without endorsing specific religion. That is a gift I've rarely found, but I have always loved the idea of subtle preaching in books. I believe your heart is moved the most when it doesn't realize it's being touched! Thanks for the fantastic review and brief summary. Definitely sounds like a must read!