The Heart of Memory
by Alison Strobel
Pub Date: March 29, 2011
Publisher: Zondervan
Author Links: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Blog
Savannah expected to receive a new heart…but she didn’t expect to lose her faith.
When beloved Christian writer and speaker Savannah Trover becomes gravely ill, she has to face the sham that her faith has become. Days before her heart transplant, she vows to change her ways and renews her relationship with Christ. But when she awakens from the surgery, Savannah discovers that her faith has left her completely.
Savannah’s husband, Shaun, is concerned about his wife’s odd behavior—but even more concerned about the secret he’s keeping from her. If she doesn’t bring down their ministry, then he might, losing his family in the process. A stranger may hold the answer to Savannah’s recovery, but is Savannah strong enough to return to her old way of life? Can Shaun right his wrongs before word gets out? And do either one of them remember how to be who they once were—or who they want to be?
My Thoughts:
There is much to unpack in this deeply moving novel by Alison Strobel. Struggles of faith, financial issues, parent/child relationships, and human/God relationships. It’s all there and … it’s all life.
What I love about this book is that it comes across as real. Yes, it is Christian fiction, but it’s not all “high and mighty” CF, if that makes sense. This book depicts people who make mistakes, who screw up, but who ultimately find redemption.
Basically, the main character, Savannah, a well-renowned Christian author and speaker who travels the country constantly to the detriment of her family, finds herself flat on her couch nursing a health issue that she can’t kick. The doctors finally determine that the issue lies in her heart and she will need a heart transplant to survive.
But once Savannah receives the transplant, she realizes she no longer has her faith. You may wonder, as I did, how someone can lose her faith. It’s not like a set a car keys or your favorite shirt. Faith is something that is a part of who we are; once you find it, it becomes wrapped into your whole being. The author introduces a concept to explain how this could happen. It’s very interesting and invited me to explore the phenomenon more in depth outside the book. It’s a real thing that is reported to happen to organ transplant recipients, which is absolutely fascinating! It is not without controversy, of course, but it is an interesting concept, nonetheless. And, nope, I’m not going to tell you what it is! You’ll have to read the book to find out!
As Savannah is struggling to realize where her faith went, her husband is hiding his own secrets which could bring down their family and ministry if they ever came to light. Throw in a daughter who is angry at a mother who has been absent most of her life because of the ministry and you have a novel chock full of intense drama.
I love how the author explored each relationship. It felt real to me as the reader. I could buy into it. I didn’t feel like I was being preached at. I felt like I was reading about real people who are just like me. People who don’t do things right all the time, but who can find redemption through faith in Christ.
I can’t wait to read more by Ms. Strobel! I actually went to Amazon after reading this book and bought her book collection (hey they were all bargain priced at the time!). I’ve definitely found a fantastic new-to-me author that I can’t wait to explore more of.
4.5 out of 5!
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Great review I hadn’t heard of this before. It does sound intriguing how she lost her faith it’s definitely catching my interest!
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
I’m definitely adding this one to my wishlist
I’m glad that you really liked it.
My Dad had a heart transplant six years ago, so I’m really fascinated by anything that tells those types of stories — even if it is romanticized for the books.
A good review that has me hooked on your blog. I would love to read such good christian novels that depict real life situations with characters that one can identify with. Thanks.