Exhausting Reading

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a friend in which she responded with her thoughts about a particular book.  She described the book as "exhausting" to read.  I thought that was a very good way to describe some books and also why I have a hard time reading them.  What I have found in myself when I read is that it isn't wise to read books that overly romanticize life (because they feed discontentment in my heart), or that dwell deeply in the depravity of man (they overwhelm me).  Sometimes books are simply too exhausting for me to read.  The book I read 2 weeks ago fits that description well.

The book was Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry.  Fabry's book, June Bug, is one of my favorite books.  I read the book that came after that book, but struggled with all of his depiction of angels.  But, still, he is a very good writer.  So, I wanted to try this book.  This book is the story of Truman Wiley, a writer who has run away from his family--his wife, daughter, and son who is dying of a defective heart.  A man is about to die on death row and wants Truman to write his story.  The overarching plot is well developed and interesting.  

But, this book delves into the addiction of gambling and its consequences on both addicts and the people who love them.  The vivid description of how gambling enticed him if even a few bucks were in his pocket was both shocking and sad.  After reading some of the description of how Truman felt as he gambled away what money he had--regardless of its consequences, I simply couldn't keep reading.  It overwhelmed me with the depressing nature of the addiction.  

If you enjoy drama movies and tear-jearkers, you will enjoy this book.  It is well written and characters are vividly described.  If, you feel overwhelmed by deeply sad movies, you may find that you have the same reaction to this book as I did.  The ending is a bit like one from the old Kevin Costner movie Message in a Bottle.  This book is not a feel good, happy, ends all neatly tied up at the ending sort of book.  

In the end, this is one of those books that I can't give a blanket recommendation to.  It is one of those books that I would suggest you read an excerpt of online first before ordering.  

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishing.