Take a photo of a barcode or cover
sara_has_no_h's Reviews (356)
I don't know what it is, but I recently went through a whole "near-death experience" phase with my reading cravings. I feel like after this one... I'm over it for a while.
I should probably start off with the fact that I am not a Christian or Catholic or any sort of religious person really at all. However, I still enjoyed this book. (A little bit, anyway.) Which by reading some of the more popular reviews, I never would've guessed it was possible.
I feel like people are being too hard on this concept. I get a notion of an almost accusatory tone that this is fake, a fraud and a money scheme by the parents. (And with the movie coming out now.. I mean really.) I guess my taking from it was simple that it felt real to them. And NOW they're cashing in on it.
The story was heartwarming. It was tragic. It had moments that gave me goosebumps and moments that made me roll my eyes. Did it make me believe in Heaven? No. Was that it's main goal? I sure hope not. The evidence was just not concrete enough to persuade a "non-believer". For example... I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone with doubts about their potential afterlife, but rather think my boyfriend's SUPER religious grandparents would be an excellent fit.
It pretty much comes down to the fact that the father is a man of religion. The family was raised in a highly religious environment. This kid has been exposed to a multitude of information regarding God and Heaven and every other "convincing" piece of evidence that was used in an attempt to validate the experience (which is a fairly cookie-cutter experience, in my opinion). So what I took from the story was not so much that "Heaven is for real", but more of a great story and memoir of this family's personal struggles and experiences. Which happens to be why this book got the rating that it did.
So let's wrap it up here.
- If you're looking for a book to convince you of Heaven... I wouldn't put my stock into this one.
- If you're looking for a book to validate your firm belief of Heaven... You'll probably eat this one whole.
But if you're able to look past the religion and feel of attempted persuasion like I was... This story will be one worth reading for anyone.
I should probably start off with the fact that I am not a Christian or Catholic or any sort of religious person really at all. However, I still enjoyed this book. (A little bit, anyway.) Which by reading some of the more popular reviews, I never would've guessed it was possible.
I feel like people are being too hard on this concept. I get a notion of an almost accusatory tone that this is fake, a fraud and a money scheme by the parents. (And with the movie coming out now.. I mean really.) I guess my taking from it was simple that it felt real to them. And NOW they're cashing in on it.
The story was heartwarming. It was tragic. It had moments that gave me goosebumps and moments that made me roll my eyes. Did it make me believe in Heaven? No. Was that it's main goal? I sure hope not. The evidence was just not concrete enough to persuade a "non-believer". For example... I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone with doubts about their potential afterlife, but rather think my boyfriend's SUPER religious grandparents would be an excellent fit.
It pretty much comes down to the fact that the father is a man of religion. The family was raised in a highly religious environment. This kid has been exposed to a multitude of information regarding God and Heaven and every other "convincing" piece of evidence that was used in an attempt to validate the experience (which is a fairly cookie-cutter experience, in my opinion). So what I took from the story was not so much that "Heaven is for real", but more of a great story and memoir of this family's personal struggles and experiences. Which happens to be why this book got the rating that it did.
So let's wrap it up here.
- If you're looking for a book to convince you of Heaven... I wouldn't put my stock into this one.
- If you're looking for a book to validate your firm belief of Heaven... You'll probably eat this one whole.
But if you're able to look past the religion and feel of attempted persuasion like I was... This story will be one worth reading for anyone.
