Follow my blog!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

My review of Rooms by James L. Rubart

About the book:

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend. When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn’t just spiritual, it’s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah’s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.


My review:

Rooms is a tragically beautiful and deeply insightful novel about a soul's redemption. Utilizing mind-twisting conflicts and heart-wrenching loss throughout the story, the author illustrates in a profound way how often to gain what we need we must first abandon what we thought we'd always wanted. Taking it one step further, it made me think in a completely new way about how 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 states that "without love, I am nothing" (paraphrased by me to illustrate this point).

I have to warn people who may want to read this book that it will make you uncomfortable. Like near-frostbite hurts when the flesh is being slowly restored to a living thing, the truth in the story may hurt as the author's insights massage the dead places in your heart back to life. This is a life-changing story about what it costs to follow Christ and the great lengths our Savior will go to in order to reach our hearts. I challenge everyone to read it. I know I'll be thinking about this book and its message for years to come.

This is also a perfect illustration of how fiction can be used to inspire and instruct in the same way Jesus used the parables. Through Micah's story readers are challenged to take a look inside their own soul.

Which voice are you listening to?

The advance review copy of this book for me to review was provided by B&H. Rooms releases soon with a street date of April 1, 2010.

3 comments:

Casey said...

Sounds like a great book- thanks for the review! :)

Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family said...

I really liked this one too Michelle! I need to get my review written up soon.

fredamans said...

This indeed is one I wish to read now. Amazing cover, very alluring.
Great review, very well-said.

To answer your question; I listen to the inner voice, which I believe to be God. He speaks to us all in volumes, but some don't listen.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Share this post

Bookmark and Share