Composing Amelia

by Alison Strobel

Composing Amelia, is a journey through the introduction of mental illness into a young marriage and the resulting havoc that can be wreaked by the disease.

A young Los Angeles marriage is put to the test and two careers are threatened when Amelia's husband Marcus is hired as a pastor at a remote Nebraska church. The move results in resentment and sparks the onset of mental illness in Amelia. Can Amelia's faith stand up to the oppression in her mind and the dysfunction in her relationship with her workaholic pastor husband? Will Marcus recognize the mistakes he's made in time to make things right or will the darkness in Amelia's head push her off the edge before Marcus can be the husband he's meant to be? And how can God use such broken people to turn around the lives of the small flock of believers to whom He's led them?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Romance, Audiobook, Drama

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Alison is a women's fiction novelist who writes books about life, love, and faith. Her sophomore release, "Violette Between," was a RITA Award finalist in 2007. She lives in Colorado with her husband (with whom she has co-authored two children's books) and their two daughters.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

This booked tricked me. It was Christian fiction.

In theory I'm not opposed to Christian fiction. I'll read just about anything. I'll read science fiction even though I'm not an alien, I'll read fantasy even though I'm not a princess, so in theory I have no problems reading Christian fiction even if the characters are motivated by a power I don't understand.

I was able to get past the many instances of asking God for guidance and putting trust in God. That made sense for those characters, so I was okay with it.

What I was not okay with was how immature, self-involved, and idiotic these characters were.

I also felt that the novel was written by an author who was obviously deeply involved in Christianity, but was hoping to seem like she was writing from the perspective of an outsider. But she didn't capture outsider's opinions of Christians very well.

Also, one of the characters spoke of never having met a Christian until college. I laughed so hard. Whatever. Yeah, Christians are the minority in the US. Sure.

I'm moving this from one star to two because I actually did manage to finish it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another repeat author for me, I really enjoyed her previous novel Heart of Memory which was a nook freebie some time ago and I was really look forward to this novel.

Composing Amelia is the story of a young, broke married couple- Amelia and Marcus who begin the novel living check to check in a cramped L.A. apartment, working three jobs as they each focus on building their dream careers. For Marcus, this career is a as pastor and Amelia hopes to become a renowned pianist. Both have agreed to look for jobs that will offer them both something but all that changes when Marcus gets the opportunity to interview for a coveted senior pastor position in…. Nebraska. Not just Nebraska, but a small town in the middle of nowhere. To complicate matters, Amelia has just accepted a position as a pianist in a newly formed theater group and finally feels as though she is on her way.

Both Marcus and Amelia balk at the turn of events and when Marcus gets the position they decide on an un-easy compromise that turns out to be much harder than it sounds- Marcus goes to Nebraska and Amelia moves in with friends to continue her new gig. They will re-evaluate in 3 months after the opening of Amelia’s first show. What happens next begins Amelia’s downward spiral and struggle with depression and anxiety. Even a reprieve of moving to Nebraska with Marcus can help Amelia and as she continues on a downward spiral, Marcus caught up in his own spiritual struggle must step aside and help his wife with her own.
This book had several plot twists that I didn’t particularly care for and in my opinion didn’t really fit in with the storyline. I did enjoy the struggle that was portrayed as Amelia and Marcus struggled to find their callings and battle the demons and ghosts that haunted them. I found that struggle really unique and accurate in the way it was portrayed.
Overall I give this one 3.5 stars. Good overall story, but I feels as though there were some “holes” in the story ( which I explain after the spoiler alert).
********Spoiler Alert*******

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By one main issue with this book, and it was pretty big for me was the way in which Amelia suicide attempt was handled my Marcus. IF he felt strong enough to go hide all potential items but not enough to say anything just seems so phony, especially considering Amelia was pregnant with their child. Without the pregnancy, that would seem somewhat more plausible but to me it didn’t ring true. Also, the fact that there were no repercussions for Amelia's suicide attempt while pregnant seemed suspect. Even with the mental illness, I suspect that there would be something more than just medication.
That brings me to the 2nd point, the pregnancy plot twist seemed out place. It was almost like an afterthought to the entire story- I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more without it.

[Margo Berendsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, 4.5 stars, because I'm not sure I'd ever read it again (5 stars) but I definitely think everyone should read this book, especially if you are newly married or starry-eyed with ambition or if you've just discovered hidden dysfuntionality in your family or ESPECIALLY if you think there IS NO DYSFUNCTION in your family.

Quick summary: two people love each other very much and get married, but they are both pursuing very different dreams that end up tearing them apart. Throw into the mix difficult discoveries both Amelia and her husband Marcus make about their parents, and Amelia struggling with bipolar for the better part of a year without seeking help (yeah, DENIAL, you are an ugly foe).

Loved this other reviewer's summary so much I had to share it:

Marriage, ministry, the arts, and God’s will all converge in this story in a way that is relatable no matter where you are in your life journey. Understanding how it is that God makes Romans 8:28 a reality, even when nothing seems to be moving in the right direction is something that every believer can aspire to.

I think I might take it back: I probably will re-read this book again at some point. I struggle with SAD (seasonal affective disorder), not bipolar, but I could easily see how - without help - it could tear my life and my family apart. I also have a close friend going through a severe relapse with bipolar right now, and the affects are devastating to her and her six children; she lost her husband years ago.

Sometimes I find additional help and insight for relating to situations through fiction, in addition to non-fiction. Sometimes fiction can really drive the home the danger more powerfully.

I also could relate so much to the situation of wanting to pursue my own dreams and having those sometimes at odds with my husband's pursuit of his dreams. And at times feeling like being a professional in the arts is an impossible dream that requires too much of a sacrifice in other areas of life, and yet, this is your PASSION. This is such a part of your soul!

This book has its flaws (sometimes it tells too much instead of showing), but there were parts that I loved. It's honest, raw Christianity, the beautiful and the messy, the grace and the sin, the faith and the doubts. Amelia has a lot of doubts about her Christianity. I absolutely loved when it occurs to her that she can take her doubts to God:

Maybe I could ask that Creator for a little guidance.
She smiled faintly at the thought, but then considered it seriously. Why not? Why not ask for a little help in figuring it all out? If there really was a God, then chances were He wanted peoole to know Him, and if someone flat-out asked, what reason would He have not to respond?

I remember when that exact same thing occurred to me (albeit in a slightly more challenging tone: "if you are real, you're gonna have to prove it to me") - and then He did.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a phenomenal story! I can't think of a more accurate way to describe this incredible novel. The author touches on so many aspects of real life. Composing Amelia gives readers a glimpse into varying emotional landscapes. It shows effective and ineffective communication, uncovers scars from dysfunctional families, exposes discord due to different marriage goals, shows how guilt and suppressed pain often leads to out-of-control depression, outlines couples searching for a balance between their needs and their dreams, exposes the agony of secrets, and explores the definition of genuine faith.

I love books that touch on the many aspects of our lives. This story was not only well-rounded, but well thought-out. Yes, it had a few downer themes, but I found it ultimately uplifting and a book I wanted to rave about. This story would be perfect for book clubs because of the discussions it would spark. Plus, it causes the reader to think about his or her own life. I kept imagining myself in the characters' situations and asking myself what I would do if it were me. What I loved most about this book was the insight into why people do various things. It delved into what drives behavior or motivates people to pursue something such as choosing a career, deciding to come to faith in Christ, run from trials, or want to end it all.

Bottom line... the story pulled me in and held me to the end. The tension in Composing Amelia kept building, so it held my interest. I grieved with this struggling couple, but at the same time I grew very fond of them and forgot at times that they were pretend people. I wanted to consult with friends about their problems and share how they were dealing with them. What I love about the author's writing is that she's not afraid to tell it like it is. She writes real and doesn't sanitize her characters' lives. She lets them doubt, experience fear, question things, etc. In short, she drags them through the fire. People often do things for the wrong reasons, and the author showed that well. Many people doubt their faith. Some people even fake their relationship with Christ but then once they realize it, they don't know how to come clean about their struggles so they can get help.

See what I mean about dealing with the hard truths in life? Strobel is a master at this and I love the way she writes her characters. I highly recommend this book and hope it inspires you like it did me.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book as it dealt with some issues that are very relevant to me right now - being newly married graduates, making tough decisions about jobs and money and starting a family, and mental health. Sadly university work interrupted my reading so much that it took me almost two weeks to read this book! I'm not sure if that stunted my enjoyment of it somewhat, but I found myself getting increasingly annoyed with Amelia towards the end of the novel, instead of sympathising with her, and sometimes thinking, "Really? Could they have any more issues to deal with?"

I'm still not sure what I thought of this book. The first half was so compelling and it was really hard to put it down, but due to all the interruptions and my SAD acting up, I really didn't feel like I was in the right place for reading this book, or maybe, after all, I wasn't the target audience! I struggled with the communication issues that Amelia and Marcus had in their marriage and felt like shouting at them for going about everything so wrong! I think for newly weds who do have communication issues in their marriage this would be a great book to make them realise why communication can be the source of so much upheaval, but, well, I'm just so glad that Simon and I do not have these sorts of problems!

While at the start of this book I could understand, although not entirely relate to, the issues Amelia and Marcus were having, I just became increasingly frustrated that it took them so long to realise the source of their problems and that they continued to behave the exact same way until the last 5% or so of the book. I think this is probably an 8/10, with one mark dropped because I didn't find it so compelling after the halfway mark, and another mark dropped because I struggled to sympathise with the characters and became increasingly frustrated with them.

[Jennifer Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ways in which we set ourselves up to be disappointed are endless. Sometimes we wade through a difficult patch and work ourselves into a fevered pitch to make things turn out better. Sometimes we hang our hats on our predetermined ideas of what comes next, certain that we know best. In the end, everything we encounter and go through is part of the plan God has for us, and as Christians our lives on earth are meant to give us opportunity to know him better, to grow closer to him as we prepare for an eternity together.

In this story, Amelia and Marcus are trying to come to terms with their distinctive callings, but neither is sure if they are meant to be successful together. They are married, but as things change and progress, they have many obstacles to overcome, physically, mentally, and spiritually. In many ways, they encounter many of the same things that any married couple does – whose life path is ordained by God, and which is not? Which career path should take precedence, his or hers? And how exactly do you figure that out and stay married?

I enjoyed the story, because I definitely understood the character’s perspectives. Marriage, ministry, the arts, and God’s will all converge in this story in a way that is relatable no matter where you are in your life journey. Understanding how it is that God makes Romans 8:28 a reality, even when nothing seems to be moving in the right direction is something that every believer can aspire to. This story gives a glimpse of what it looks like to try to figure that out in the midst of a life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[TinaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia and Marcus are newly married, crazy in love and living in LA. Amelia has dreams of becoming a famous concert pianist and Marcus has dreams of becoming a pastor like his father. When opportunity comes at the same time for both of them, the decision mentally and physically tears them apart. Being so young in the marriage they make huge mistakes dealing with it and wind up separated as they try and work things out. Depression and anxiety spark a buried mental illness in Amelia, while doubt and stress plaque Marcus.

Stobel gives the reader an anchor to hold to with character Amelia, she did everything right with her balancing act, the questioning of her faith, her husband, her career, it all worked well to anchor us to that “reality” type struggle that most people go through. Amelia’s issues were obviously compounded by her mental disorder, which I guess could be construed as a genius way to present wearying Christian thoughts…but even in real life, people deal with the same emotions Amelia was going through minus the depression and mental issues. That issue aside, Composing Amelia was a lovely read into the human condition, mixed with secrets, fear, genuine love, the cost and benefits of pursing our dreams and the delicate struggle with faith.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I contemplated rating this book with three stars. It almost got to that point.

When I first started reading this book (available via a kindle download from my library) I was caught by surprise that it was a Christian book. While I hate to admit it, I was disappointed that it was. Unfortunately many Christian authors feel that Christianity restricts their prose or dictates certain answers, certain character descriptions, certain plots.

Ms. Strobel fell into that trap often throughout this book. Her prose was catchy but not catchy enough to overlook the rough patches, the trite answers. When I read the last third today I almost changed my mind about the two star rating. Ms. Strobel dealt with stuff that in some Christian circles you just "aren't supposed to talk about" such as depression, attempted suicide, and bipolar disorder.

That was the one section of the book in which I was genuinely engaged. Unfortunately, the ultimate resolution (the three month later epilogue) was too "perfect". While it wasn't actually "perfect" it was a little too perfect to be taking place only three months after the climax of the issues.

This is a decent book but I can't really recommend it to anyone.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that goes to a depressing place quick and the reader is stuck there for most of the book. With mental illness, lost career goals and a move away from home, this book is chocked full of hard issues that are confronted head on.

Amelia is new to the Christian faith and married to Marcus who has his dreams wrapped around following in his father's footsteps to be a pastor of a church. They both come from backgrounds that didn't have the best role models to learn how adulthood should be. It made it interesting to see how each reacted to becoming an adult and overcoming the obstacles that come with responsibility. A Christian fiction work that wasn't all rainbows and perfection, with real life problems that couldn't just be prayed away - I liked that there was realism in Christian fiction.

This book isn't for the faint of heart. I would only recommend it to readers who are ok to go to a sad place and don't mind a read that is heartbreaking and devastating.

[Ane Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alison Strobel keeps getting better and better. Composing Amelia is a novel I consider to be a lasting work of fiction. Within its pages, Strobel plumbs the depths of emotion in a subject fraught with prejudice and misinformation within the church. With characters your heart will embrace, it is a story of pride and depression without being depressive. From the first page until the last, I was caught up in Marcus and Amelia's world, unwilling to stop reading. A beautiful love story, you'll see God's grace through unconditional love. Alison Strobel is quickly proving she has what it takes to be a bestselling author, book after book. Novel Rocket and I give it our highest recommendation. It is a 5-star must read. Bravo, Alison!

[Rebecca Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and Alison Strobel for the opportunity to read this book. I'm from NE, so my initial desire to read it came from that connection to the story. My mother suffered from mental health issues, so this was a tough read. Not only is mental illness difficult for those experiencing it, but it is just as difficult for their families. It is hard to watch a loved one hurt and not be able to fix what is hurting them. Thanks for a book that addresses this topic and gives others an insight into this very real and frustrating illness.

[writer... · Rating 3 out of 5]

without spoiling it for future readers...
Alison writes of tough, real life issues, with candor and insight. helpfully directing our attention to realities we regularly bump up against. unwanted pregnancy, in-law struggles, choices between her career/his career, cross-country moves, friendships, depression...
well done, Alison, for your creatively realistic writing and for competently tackling the challenging situations of Composing Amelia ...

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a bit of a difficult time enjoying parts of this story due to the character's depression. I kind of skimmed some of those parts because it is realistically written and I find depression to be rather depressing. I did think it was a well written interesting story and I liked the author's questions and explanations at the end.

[Pam Chaffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a 3.5, so better than a 3. I like Alison Strobel. I love Christian Fiction. But.......I connected with the issues of the book; mental health, young faith, family issues, moving from big city to small town, unexpected pregnancy, etc. more than I did with the characters that were going through them. Overall though, still an enjoyable read. Just not one of my favorites by AS.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this book was average. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I thought some parts drug on forever, but at the same time, I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens.

*I was provided this book through a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Shelly Troup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't care for Amelia for most of the book, I thought she was selfish,and immature, but by the end of the story I began to like her. She ends up going through some difficult times but in the end she has grown into a giving, mature adult. All in all I like the book.

[Carole Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book informative regarding mental illness. I saw the grace that God allows in our lives to accept those we love, inspite of their illness and personalities. I can't say it was a FUN read, but I couldn't put it down. Especially the second half.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I am mixed on the review of this book. It was very slow starting off and way too long but the ending picked up and was wonderful. I guess I need to put it at 3.5 stars.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a Christian non-fiction book that isn't too involved.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very interesting in that it is a strongly "Christian fiction" story. That being said, I truly enjoyed the relationships and the emotions as the characters went through their individual and combined struggles. It felt very real and honest, which I really appreciated.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alison Strobel is a Christian author that isn't afraid to delve into real, messy life. I loved this book and even got my toes stepped on a bit. A real picture of letting go and letting God.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This audiobook (unabridged) was great company on a long winter road trip. Kept me engaged (and awake) and interested. Really enjoyed it. Will have to check out Strobel's other titles.

[Marnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Composing Amelia looks at depression within a Christian couple. It also looks at the impact that parents have on children, even when the children are grown and making their own way. Marcus and Amelia struggle to find jobs in their fields, and then are granted them, in opposite areas, right around the same time. The newlywed couple must navigate through selfishness and selflessness to figure out how God is directing, or not, their steps. Add to that mix the challenge of depression and non-communication.
I greatly enjoyed this book as a look into the thought process of newlyweds and also for the way in which a more mature Christian (Ed in this story) can be vital to guiding young adults.

[Jamey Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this not realizing that it’s Christian fiction. As a person of faith, that’s not an issue for me at all, but I almost put it down because I didn’t think I was in the mood for that genre. I’m glad I didn’t. I enjoyed it but wish that the issues Amelia and Marcus struggled with had been explored on a deeper level, particularly regarding Marcus’ strained relationship with his father. In my opinion, this isn’t a bad read, but it had the potential to be so much more. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it and may consider checking out more from this author.

[Sarah Sartin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very well written. I almost didn’t read it due to the under 4 star rating on here but am glad I did. As a mental health professional, I feel the diagnosis was very well written. The hard parts were hard to read but the authenticity and deep emotion of what this reality would be like were felt through the pages. I also really loved the parallel of the problems with Christian culture vs. how Christian life should be done. Well done.

[Marjorie J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book held my attention from beginning to end. It was well written and kept me guessing until the end. Most people have no idea of the struggles pastors and their families sometimes experience. This book helped me to be more understanding that not everything is perfect all the time. I love a happy ending.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read.
I loved the how Alison made the story as real as can be but disliked the part where she didn't tell her husband all through the story what happened that night with the other guy.
When's the next one? There should be a follow up.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I appreciable that are real and raw. This book was both! Marriage is hard. No one has it all together. Everyone struggled with something. Some people are just better at hiding it :). Great read! Thanks for allowing God to dictate this story, Alison!

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flight delayed and this book filled the need...simple predictable story.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the important topic of mental illness.

[Heidi Busch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a good job covering the issues people face when dealing with mental illness. It was a bit heavy on the “preaching” side of Christian fiction and dragged a bit in places.