Matt McAvoy Book Review

Something of a surprise, this wholesome and kind-hearted parable, about a family who are heavy on love, but light on shared goal or direction.  Written by husband-and-wife team of writers and spiritual family therapists, Derek and Amy Weichel, I would guess it was probably composed as a sidenote accompaniment to their day-to-day work.  For those readers of a Christian faith who, like the (semi?) fictional Richardson family in this book, feel their family has lost its way a little, it is something of a must-read.  For others, like me – those without faith – it is something of an insight into the warmth which forms (or should, if it doesn’t) the foundation of a Christian family.

What it really is, is the Weichels’ lesson program delivered in the format of a fictional narrative.  When the family meet the Millers, who act as mentors to other Christian families, and confide their concerns, the lessons begin, with a keen focus on placing God at the centre of your family unit.  This is where the true format of this book comes through and, from this moment, it begins to present itself unambiguously as a self-help or therapy guide, portraying each chapter as and ending it on one of the seven lessons in the program.

It is a nice book to read, both for those of a religious or non-religious nature.  There is much love in this book, and little room for discord.  It is perhaps true that some might find it a little twee for their tastes.  I would also suggest this book is likely aimed predominantly at an American market; there is something of a patronizing tone in the way the lessons are being delivered by the mentoring Miller family, which I couldn’t really see going down that well on my own, less sociable side of the pond.  Of course, though, it is what it is: a fictional mechanism for the mentoring Weichels to promote their program, delivered via the medium of a narrative fable.

This was a pleasant book and, without wanting to reduce the fiction genre generally to an unwholesome and salacious dreg-pile, it does make a warming and welcome change to find oneself so engaged by something so well meaning and good.  Although I’m not a Christian, or indeed ever likely to adopt any faith, even I can see the coveted universal truth in this desire – indeed, this necessity.  The family’s problems are not what many would call major (rather more of the first world, emotive kind), but so what; we all have things in life which make us unhappy, often on a collective basis – this book just shows that there is always a way to turn unhappiness around, and at least delivers a solution to one of them, which can be practised by any family, God or not.