Matt McAvoy Book Review

Something of a fable, this short, poignant and moving tale; I know there is some sort of moral or cautionary tale in there somewhere, but I think therein lies a mystery for the reader, for I believe much of this book is open to interpretation.  Whilst not necessarily metaphorical, it is fair to say that the cerebral and discoursing nature of the narrative implies it is intended to get you thinking, not just about death, but about the things which are important while we are alive: the world around us, the people we love and the commitments we make.  As Pastor Jack lies dying on Hollow Mountain, he reflects on all of these things, and the circumstances leading to how he got here.  Don’t expect grand literary gestures, dramatic setpieces or an unexpected ending; this is pure literary fiction with an underlying objective.

I like books which get me thinking about the writer’s intention; the ambiguity in my mind is a form of art – not that the story arc itself is in any way ambiguous, but rather more how Jack addresses his situation, and whether he will come to terms with the reality before he dies.  It is clever writing.  A short, cosy read, which doesn’t need to be rushed at all; it is one you can immerse yourself in, and wonder at the elements which make Jack who he is, and which bring the virtue and love into his home.  There is a large element of faith in God in this book, and my personal suspicion is that Nash Rhodes – who writes with a warm, comfy style – is sharing a parable of sorts, though you may need to excuse my ignorance in this respect, should I be inaccurate.

It is a nice book to read, whether you are a reader of faith or not.  The pastoral aspect of the book is not forced, nor even pushed in any way, but you can feel the glow from it throughout, always just beneath the surface.  The story itself is brief and anecdotal; it is the reflection and the philosophizing at the moment of death which is its point – though I don’t wish to paint an incorrect picture; Jack’s demise itself features minimally.  Something is clearly bothering Jack a great deal when he heads up the mountain, enough to make him change the direction of his entire life, and whatever it is we know he wants only to do the right thing.  This is a book in which the poignancy is the star – as for what it’s actually about, I’m not entirely convinced that matters too much.