I read quite a bit. Mostly in my genre, but really, I’ll try just about anything (except the Grey books, you’ve gotta draw the line somewhere). And while I enjoy lots of books and lots of authors, it’s rare that a book takes my breath away.
Chris Fabry’s “Not in the Heart” did just that.
At first I just marveled at how well Fabry handled some tricky, writerly stuff. He created a hero–Truman–who was thoroughly unlikable. Except that I kind of liked him because he was really funny in the midst of his awfulness. And then there’s the scene where Truman is letting his estranged wife drive even though he thinks she’s a terrible driver. They’re having a really serious, life-changing discussion while Truman is making a herculean effort not to back seat drive. It’s fabulous.
But as the last page approached I kept thinking there was no way the story could end well. Truman is a has-been journalist writing a book about a man on death row who wants to donate his heart. To Truman’s dying son. Except the man just might be innocent. I mean, it was obvious someone was going to die and I wasn’t going to be happy about it.
As it turns out, the book didn’t end well. It ended perfectly. One of those endings that made me close the book and look for something else Chris Fabry wrote in hopes it’ll be just as good. Or even almost as good. That would still be plenty good enough.
I’ll keep plugging away at this writing business, but having finished “Not in the Heart,” well, I see I have a ways to go.
P.S. Chris Fabry is from West Virginia. Of course he is.
I totally understand. Having written 300+ pages of a life based fiction work I am struggling with how to end the work in a manner that might help others better accept life’s tragedies and know that God loves them and has a plan for them. Struggling with how to “show” that, and not just “say” that. Perhaps I just need to read Chris Fabry’s “Not In The Heart”.
I can’t recommend it enough. The ending is brilliant.
Wow, what a positive review! I’ll have to look for it.
Do–I think you’ll really like it.
I really do not like “I told you soers”… But I’ll risk it this once. I told you so! Loved the book from start to finish and really marveled at the ending. Could I ask you to mail it to Beth? I’ll snail mail you her address.
You DID tell me so! And you were SO right.
I’ll stick this title on my list of books that I need to read! Thanks for the review, and for not giving away the ending…and for making me want to go buy it on Kindle NOW.
I’d bring it to you, but Mom has me sending it to another friend.
Endings are tough, and it’s nice to hear of a novel with one that’s so satisfying! Thanks for highlighting it for us – it’ll go onto my ‘to read’ list.
I think you’ll really like it!