eBook review copy, 400 pages
ISBN-13: 9781401686116
The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart is a recommended novel with a Christian based message.
Brock Matthews’ life looks like it is going great from the outside. He is part owner of a family owned multimillion dollar coffee importing business. He is married and has a teenage son. The problem is that his marriage is in trouble, he's distant from his son, and the business is in trouble according to his brother, the majority owner of the company. Brock has been having some strange dreams too, featuring his late father. He needs to find a way to change the course of his life.
When Brock shares the fact he is still having troubling dreams with a friend, his friend gives him a book on lucid dreaming. Brock begins to put into practice the information and techniques in the book and starts to control his dreams. He goes back in time and talks to his younger self, his father, and his wife and shares advice. When he discovers that the dream conversations are affecting his real life, he also notices that the change isn't for the better.
In the end, Rubart presents a valuable and clear message about loving your family and others. But the main, essential message is the importance of totally surrendering to and relying on God completely. The inspirational message will appeal to those who enjoy Christian fiction.
I have no problem with Christian fiction, but I did have a few quibbles with this novel. The Five Times I Met Myself is a well written novel but, for me, there was a pacing problem. It seemed to drag at times and I also agree with the Kirkus review that the structure of Brock's dreams felt repetitive. And, while we're on the subject of the lucid dreaming, it is an interesting premise, but it wasn't an entirely successful plot element for me, especially combined with Brock's less-than-believable character.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Thomas Nelson for review purposes.
No comments:
Post a Comment