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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
As a memoir, this was an unbalanced and uninspired telling of what was portrayed to be a memorable life. The blame should not be completely leveled at Bouman since he had help in telling his story.
The largest part of the story focuses on Bouman's early relationship with his father. This part of Bouman's life is characterized by anecdotes which prove his father to be a bitter and violent man child. In many ways, the same story of irrational violence is told over and over with different details, never fully sussing out a deep emotional tie to the reader.
If not for the father owning a tank, this would not be an extraordinary story.
The remainder of the story, Bouman's conversion and reconciliation with his father, seems to be almost an epilogue to his childhood. Bouman's conversion: he finds a church and then the altar call. Bouman's marriage: a few dates and the ceremony. Bouman's ministry: his call and a few stories about a Cambodian orphanage (a story one thinks could have fueled a book all on it's own). Bouman's reconciliation with his father: Bouman gives a talk at a church with his father in attendance.
The ultimate message is, God used the horrors of Bouman's childhood to face the trials of ministry.
Without doubt this is a tremendous message that glorifies Jesus Christ and our heavenly father, however this message gets buried under bad story telling and inadequate focus on Bouman's conversion and the insights that come with the life of ministry.
This could have been so much more but falls short.
(Again, but for the tank would this story have been told?)
The largest part of the story focuses on Bouman's early relationship with his father. This part of Bouman's life is characterized by anecdotes which prove his father to be a bitter and violent man child. In many ways, the same story of irrational violence is told over and over with different details, never fully sussing out a deep emotional tie to the reader.
If not for the father owning a tank, this would not be an extraordinary story.
The remainder of the story, Bouman's conversion and reconciliation with his father, seems to be almost an epilogue to his childhood. Bouman's conversion: he finds a church and then the altar call. Bouman's marriage: a few dates and the ceremony. Bouman's ministry: his call and a few stories about a Cambodian orphanage (a story one thinks could have fueled a book all on it's own). Bouman's reconciliation with his father: Bouman gives a talk at a church with his father in attendance.
The ultimate message is, God used the horrors of Bouman's childhood to face the trials of ministry.
Without doubt this is a tremendous message that glorifies Jesus Christ and our heavenly father, however this message gets buried under bad story telling and inadequate focus on Bouman's conversion and the insights that come with the life of ministry.
This could have been so much more but falls short.
(Again, but for the tank would this story have been told?)
This book was gifted to me, and it is the real reason that I read it. I am not a huge fan of memoirs, and unfortunately this one was no different. I tried my best to review it based on plot and style--not from a dislike of this genre.
Mark Bouman has had a hard and intricate life, which is undeniable. The issue, however, is that the book seems to move from one moment of abuse t the next with very little growth or development int he full story. Also, the main events, the reasons you want to read, happen occur and finish within the first 150 pages, which leaves you with no real desire to read on. Another problem is that it suddenly becomes a "coming to Jesus story," which I should have known, but did not; this was quite jarring because there is no foreshadowing at all or mention of this until it occurs.
In the end, this is how I read it: 10 pages of quick back story; 140 pages of major events shoved into a quick succession, 50 pages that should be cut out, 10 pages of being saved and married happily; 0 pages of closure. 2/5.
Mark Bouman has had a hard and intricate life, which is undeniable. The issue, however, is that the book seems to move from one moment of abuse t the next with very little growth or development int he full story. Also, the main events, the reasons you want to read, happen occur and finish within the first 150 pages, which leaves you with no real desire to read on. Another problem is that it suddenly becomes a "coming to Jesus story," which I should have known, but did not; this was quite jarring because there is no foreshadowing at all or mention of this until it occurs.
In the end, this is how I read it: 10 pages of quick back story; 140 pages of major events shoved into a quick succession, 50 pages that should be cut out, 10 pages of being saved and married happily; 0 pages of closure. 2/5.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
A surprisingly captivating memoir. I enjoyed reading about Mark's life and it costed me a great deal of reflection. Simply written, but worth the read.
Amazing read of hope and forgiveness
Wow, where to begin. I was immediately drawn into this book. The author is wonderful at describing his childhood. How...on one hand can you have a father that beats you and makes you believe you are worthless, to the other hand, in the next m ok ment....hop in the tank and think he is cool?
To see the progress of where the author started out as a child to where he ended up is a miracle.
Wow, where to begin. I was immediately drawn into this book. The author is wonderful at describing his childhood. How...on one hand can you have a father that beats you and makes you believe you are worthless, to the other hand, in the next m ok ment....hop in the tank and think he is cool?
To see the progress of where the author started out as a child to where he ended up is a miracle.
4 stars for the first 85% of this book; 1 star for the remaining 15%.
"My past imprisoned me more completely than anything physical ever could. I carried my cell everywhere I walked, and when I spoke, I struggled to make myself heard through the bars." A heartbreaking passage very beautifully written.
The author had me until the 85% point and then he found God and through God his entire life turned around. Barf. I call bullshit on the bait and switch of this book. If I had been aware that the author's being "saved" was going to be the big climax, I wouldn't have wasted my time on the first 85%. The last 15% is so poorly written and overwrought and uses the word God in every other sentence, again barf.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have passed on this one. Can't recommend.
ARC from publisher.
"My past imprisoned me more completely than anything physical ever could. I carried my cell everywhere I walked, and when I spoke, I struggled to make myself heard through the bars." A heartbreaking passage very beautifully written.
The author had me until the 85% point and then he found God and through God his entire life turned around. Barf. I call bullshit on the bait and switch of this book. If I had been aware that the author's being "saved" was going to be the big climax, I wouldn't have wasted my time on the first 85%. The last 15% is so poorly written and overwrought and uses the word God in every other sentence, again barf.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have passed on this one. Can't recommend.
ARC from publisher.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC for a fair review.
This book is about Mark's screwed up life, the abuse he suffered and how he turned his life around by finding God. I applaud Mark for going through what he went through and coming out better on the other side. I only gave it 2 stars as the only place where I felt any connection to the story is when he would talk about his dog Zeke. The rest was a like a detached, monotone, outline with a dash of explanation. I give the author credit for trying to pour his soul into this book but I think Mark missed what he was truly trying to do. I wish there would have been more connection and little bit more about his brother and sister.
This book is about Mark's screwed up life, the abuse he suffered and how he turned his life around by finding God. I applaud Mark for going through what he went through and coming out better on the other side. I only gave it 2 stars as the only place where I felt any connection to the story is when he would talk about his dog Zeke. The rest was a like a detached, monotone, outline with a dash of explanation. I give the author credit for trying to pour his soul into this book but I think Mark missed what he was truly trying to do. I wish there would have been more connection and little bit more about his brother and sister.
slow-paced
Difficult to read during parts - but his story of survival after growing up in a hellish situation without a victim mentality is amazing.