The Understudy

by Jack Weyland

The Understudy is a sensitive portrayal of a man who finds out what it means to follows the example of the Master. In this heartwarming story, you'll find the vivid characters and witty dialogue that have made Jack Weyland one of the most popular authors in Latter-day Saint fiction.

Genres: Lds, Lds Fiction, Fiction, Religion, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Adult Fiction

122 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Jack Weyland is the best-selling author of young-adult fiction for the Latter-day Saint market. In fact, the modern genre of Latter-day Saint-themed popular fiction is one he is largely responsible for creating with his overwhelmingly popular novel Charly. His interest in fiction began with a correspondence course in creative writing taken during a summer at BYU where he was doing research work. Since then he has published more than two dozen books, and over fifty of his short stories have been published by the LDS Church magazine The New Era.

Born in Butte, Montana, Jack received a B.S. degree in physics from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in physics from BYU. Currently he teaches physics at BYU-Idaho. He formerly taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Jack and his wife, Sheryl, are the parents of five children and have four grandchildren. His hobbies include racquetball and singing.

Reviews

[Shaumbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a wonderful insight into how being like the Savior, Jesus Christ, a person can be transformed. I learned a lot from the character who had to play Christ and how his attitude and outlook on life changed when he delved into his role.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE IT!!!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weyland books always feel a little dated to read BUT I love this one and the focus on the Savior. Really cool storyline & powerful messages.

[Alyssa G. 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, The Understudy by Jack Weyland, is told from guy named Michael Hill's point of view. His wife dies at the beginning of the book so now it's just Michael and his son Jim. Michael is an actor and was asked to play the part of the savior in a Mormon movie. As he is playing this part, his son would go to this daycare, even though he is not a toddler or a younger kid, She let Jim, Michael's son, in because she thought that Jim would be good to hang out with her disabled son, Rusty. After work Michael would go and pick up Jim, and talk with Kellie, the lady who runs the daycare. A few days of talking after work, Michael found out that Kellie had lost her husband that summer too. Michael thought they were perfect for each other and begged for Kellie to date him, he really liked her.... But what does Kellie say?
I love this book. I am a big fan of Jack Weyland's books, but this one I was totally sucked into. I read half the book in one sitting. It lets you get a good taste of what it would be like to loose someone, then fall in love with a girl when you didn't even think you could love again. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars! The Author is really good at describing the characters feelings, winch make you feel kin-dove like you're the character. It makes me think of a quote, "God works in mysterious ways". I don't know who said that, but I do hear it a lot. It paints a good picture. I would totally recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

[Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this was a good book that seemed thought out and is a LDS realistic fiction. I really liked it. But I can't get over this picture:



or this one:



and finally:
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[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and it's very different from other Jack Weyland books I've read. The Understudy is a beautiful story about an actor who takes a role playing Jesus Christ and through that role, comes to know the Lord for the first time.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe the part that most impressed me in this book was how the man felt when he was playing the Savior and what he learned and gained from that experience. It kind of led me to "In His Shoes" and WWJD thought-processes.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

i am in the process of reading this book so only 1 star for now.

its about an actor who is playing a mormon in a movie and someone teaches him how to play the part and along the way i assume he learns about the church

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

How would my YW book collection be complete without at least one Jack Weyland book. My parents were huge fans of this author and each child was given at least 4 of his books in a year. They're a nice quick read before going to bed. Fun to re-read Jack Weyland's books after being married.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you were asked to play the part of Jesus Christ? That is exactly what the main character in this novel faces and though it would seem to be an honor on the surface it may be harder than you think!

[Kim]

This is a story that really got me thinking about what it means to truly follow the life of the savior. even when times are tough and we make mistakes there will still be hope for us. this story really taught me that. I hope everyone who reads this book gets as much out of it as I did.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book from the Deseret Industries. It's an older book so I didn't expect it to draw me into the story like the more recently published LDS novel. I was inspired.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Jack Weyland Book! I loved it!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Very fast moving. I enjoyed how he was able to put some of his feelings and views of Jesus Christ in the book. It made me stop and think.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books that he has written.

[Shelleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. One of the few written from the perspective of an adult the entire time (instead of a teenager).

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of how one man finds Christ.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good message. I loved the analogy of being "the understudy." I simply didn't find this book captivating.

[Mnmstaten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reread most of the Jack Weyland YA novels this year before letting my teens read them. Some I liked more than others.

[Rylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelli got married again only causes Michael told her it was right. But who does Michael get in heaven?

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I've always been a fan of Jack Weyland this novel was completely a different experience for me. Not only did I fall in love with the characters and find myself growing and learning right along with them through their experiences that they went through, it also made me ponder about my own relationship with Christ. You made me think about how I see Christ, what He means to me and what I truly believe about that Him. This is my third favorite book of Jack Weyland!!! It is a Must Read.

[Londi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel the ending was a bit abrupt. But it is a short story. I enjoyed it.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one holds up well since I read it years ago, and there are some wonderful insights about Jesus and what it means to follow Him. They really make me think. I am so glad I read it again.
In contemplating the Atonement and Crucifixion of Christ, we should pay attention to this part of the book:

She reached for her scriptures. "Michael, I added to his suffering that day."
"How?'
"Because he carried the burden of our sins. Mine and yours too. He suffered for our sins not only on the cross but also in the Garden of Gethsemane."
"Why would he do that?"
"So we won't have to."
"I didn't ask him to."
"I know," she said, "but he did it for us, and we all added to the price he had to pay."
"Here's what he said years later about his suffering in Gethsemane, 'Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.'
Then this: "Jesus was a master teacher. We can leave it at that or we can go deeper." "There are layers to our understanding of him." "We never come to the end of him, we never take a true measure of the man, because he is like a sky with no horizon. As wonderful as you can imagine him to be, he is a thousand times more wonderful." "The deeper I went, the more I loved him."

The deeper I go, the more I love Him.

[Heidi]

I loved this book. It is hard not to be influenced by the subjects we study.