Book Cover
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Ferrell, J. L. (2004). The peacegiver: How christ offers to heal our hearts and homes. Salt Lake City, UT/USA: Deseret Book.
PAGES
240
PURCHASING OPTIONS
Original Print $22.97
NOOK $10.99
Hardcover $34.99
Paperback $12.99
ANNOTATION
Ricky's deceased grandfather visits him in an attempt to help save his marriage with Carol.
SUMMARY *Spoiler Alert*
Ricky and Carol Carson's marriage is all but over. They have struggled to get back the spark they use to have, and they can't talk without arguing and accusations. Ricky feels deep resentment toward Carol, because she doesn't show appreciation for what he does for the family. One night after another argument and going to bed in cold silence Ricky has a dream where he is visited by his deceased grandfather, Dale Carson. Grandpa Carson takes Ricky through a series of vision that take them into three situations.
The first is from the Old Testament where they witness the interaction between David and Abigail in which Abigail asks for forgiveness in behalf of her husband, Nabal. Nabal refuses to make good on his promise to David to provide him and his men with much needed supplies. David and his men subsequently decide to go to Nabal and kill him and his entire household. However, Abigail meets David on the road and offers all the promised supplies and asks for forgiveness in behalf of her husband.
The second story is that of Jonah from the Old Testament. Jonah refuses to obey God's command to go to Nineveh and instead tries to run away to Tarshish, but the ship meets a great storm and is in threat of being sunk. The men ask who has brought the curse of the storm upon them and Jonah admits his intent to run away from God's command. He tells them to throw him overboard to stop the storm, and when the men do he is swallowed up by a giant fish. After three days he is spit back on land and makes his way to Nineveh. He preaches to the people and they turn back to God, but this makes Jonah angry and he asks God to destroy them anyway, because the Assyrians will destroy Jerusalem in the new future. Then God asks him, "Should not I spare Nineveh?"
The third and last vision they have is Jesus Christ entering the Garden of Gethsemane where he atones for all the sins of humankind. These three visions bring into focus for Ricky that forgiveness and that all are in need of mercy, empathy, and compassion. Not only do all people need those things for themselves, but they should extend these to everyone else.
Forgiveness is not for the person who committed the wrong but for the person who was wronged.
After these visions Ricky finds the courage to turn to his wife and begin the journey to recovery and healing for their marriage.
MY REVIEW
Despite the heavy religious connotations and leanings toward doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints this book has a poignant message: extending love, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy is how we will find peace in the storms of the world. It is how we heal relationships and ourselves. However, anyone looking for solid character development will be sadly disappointed. The text is nothing short of corny at times. The book is centered upon Old Testament and other Latter-day Saint scripture. The story moves at sluggish pace and can be repetitive and predictable. I would not recommend this book to someone unless they are religious or at least have a strong foundation of christian knowledge. For the most part this book feels less like a fictional story and more like a religious self-improvement book.
SUMMARY *Spoiler Alert*
Ricky and Carol Carson's marriage is all but over. They have struggled to get back the spark they use to have, and they can't talk without arguing and accusations. Ricky feels deep resentment toward Carol, because she doesn't show appreciation for what he does for the family. One night after another argument and going to bed in cold silence Ricky has a dream where he is visited by his deceased grandfather, Dale Carson. Grandpa Carson takes Ricky through a series of vision that take them into three situations.
The first is from the Old Testament where they witness the interaction between David and Abigail in which Abigail asks for forgiveness in behalf of her husband, Nabal. Nabal refuses to make good on his promise to David to provide him and his men with much needed supplies. David and his men subsequently decide to go to Nabal and kill him and his entire household. However, Abigail meets David on the road and offers all the promised supplies and asks for forgiveness in behalf of her husband.
The second story is that of Jonah from the Old Testament. Jonah refuses to obey God's command to go to Nineveh and instead tries to run away to Tarshish, but the ship meets a great storm and is in threat of being sunk. The men ask who has brought the curse of the storm upon them and Jonah admits his intent to run away from God's command. He tells them to throw him overboard to stop the storm, and when the men do he is swallowed up by a giant fish. After three days he is spit back on land and makes his way to Nineveh. He preaches to the people and they turn back to God, but this makes Jonah angry and he asks God to destroy them anyway, because the Assyrians will destroy Jerusalem in the new future. Then God asks him, "Should not I spare Nineveh?"
The third and last vision they have is Jesus Christ entering the Garden of Gethsemane where he atones for all the sins of humankind. These three visions bring into focus for Ricky that forgiveness and that all are in need of mercy, empathy, and compassion. Not only do all people need those things for themselves, but they should extend these to everyone else.
Forgiveness is not for the person who committed the wrong but for the person who was wronged.
After these visions Ricky finds the courage to turn to his wife and begin the journey to recovery and healing for their marriage.
MY REVIEW
Despite the heavy religious connotations and leanings toward doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints this book has a poignant message: extending love, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy is how we will find peace in the storms of the world. It is how we heal relationships and ourselves. However, anyone looking for solid character development will be sadly disappointed. The text is nothing short of corny at times. The book is centered upon Old Testament and other Latter-day Saint scripture. The story moves at sluggish pace and can be repetitive and predictable. I would not recommend this book to someone unless they are religious or at least have a strong foundation of christian knowledge. For the most part this book feels less like a fictional story and more like a religious self-improvement book.
RATING
Quality Rating: Bronze
Popularity Rating: Ruby
BOOKTALKING
If you are facing steep struggles in a relationship-be it with a sibling, friend, spouse/partner, child, parent, or even a co-worker-this book provides a sobering and stark insight into just how much each of us are lacking and imperfect.
The Story of Abigail asking for forgiveness in the place of the wrong-doer (pg. 38).
Jonah felt that it was unfair that God would show mercy and compassion to the people of Nineveh when he knew that in the near future they could come and destroy his people (pg. 105). The book has a deep message that we as fellow humans need to be kinder, more loving to one another. Grandpa Carson tells his own story of the struggles in his own marriage and how he was able to change and save it.
DISCUSSION POINTS
How is forgiving someone who has wronged you more for you than for them?
Why would it be difficult to accept that Christ atoned for and has already paid justice for someone who has wronged you?
Ricky has a hard time forgiving and having compassion for Carol, because he doesn't feel that Carol is compassionate or forgiving toward him. Why is it important for you to extend those things to someone even if they don't offer them to you?
Is it necessary to forgive every wrong made against you? Do you think it's possible?
Jonah doesn't want forgiveness, love, and compassion to be shown to the people he knows will be the destroyers of Jerusalem in the future. If we knew someone was going to wrong us in the future would we be okay with them receiving those things now? Would be okay with them receiving those things in the future?
REVIEWS
Quality Rating: Bronze
Popularity Rating: Ruby
GENRE/SUB GENRE
Mormon Fiction
Parables
APPEAL FACTORS
This book has an inspiring tone of hope. The religious ideals are based on the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book is leisurely paced and much of it is done in the style of a parable. It declares the importance of forgiveness not for the sake of the wrong-doer, but for the wronged. Ricky feels like he is justified in holding his resentment over his wife, Carol, because she as not shown forgiveness or compassion toward him, but is he willing to show them to Carol?
If you are facing steep struggles in a relationship-be it with a sibling, friend, spouse/partner, child, parent, or even a co-worker-this book provides a sobering and stark insight into just how much each of us are lacking and imperfect.
The Story of Abigail asking for forgiveness in the place of the wrong-doer (pg. 38).
Jonah felt that it was unfair that God would show mercy and compassion to the people of Nineveh when he knew that in the near future they could come and destroy his people (pg. 105). The book has a deep message that we as fellow humans need to be kinder, more loving to one another. Grandpa Carson tells his own story of the struggles in his own marriage and how he was able to change and save it.
DISCUSSION POINTS
How is forgiving someone who has wronged you more for you than for them?
Why would it be difficult to accept that Christ atoned for and has already paid justice for someone who has wronged you?
Ricky has a hard time forgiving and having compassion for Carol, because he doesn't feel that Carol is compassionate or forgiving toward him. Why is it important for you to extend those things to someone even if they don't offer them to you?
Is it necessary to forgive every wrong made against you? Do you think it's possible?
Jonah doesn't want forgiveness, love, and compassion to be shown to the people he knows will be the destroyers of Jerusalem in the future. If we knew someone was going to wrong us in the future would we be okay with them receiving those things now? Would be okay with them receiving those things in the future?
WHY THIS BOOK?
I wanted to read a variety of genres and felt like I should read a religious based fiction novel, because I had never read a religious based fiction book. This book was recommended to me by a colleague, and when I read the premise-specifically about finding healing in our relationships-my interest was piqued.
THE AUTHOR
REVIEWS
SIMILAR TITLES/AUTHORS
The Holy Secret by James L. Ferrell
Journey to the Veil by John Pontius
The Screwtape Letter by C.S. Lewis
AWARDS
None
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Healing our relationships
- Forgiveness is for myself
- We are no better than our neighbor
- We cannot enforce justice, but we can offer compassion and forgiveness
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