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The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell
Elijah Campbell is on the verge of losing his writing career, his faith, and his marriage when a recurring childhood nightmare drives him back to his hometown, Bradford's Ferry. There, his encounters with loved ones both past and present shed light on the reason his wife left him—and the meaning of his nightmare. However, beyond the light he begins to glimpse something even more terrifying—a decision he must make either to continue hiding the secrets of his past or unhide the only thing that can save his himself.
In psychologist Kelly Flanagan's nonfiction works ( Loveable , True Companions ), he drew from clinical insight to explore the spiritual depths of identity and relationships. Now, in this debut novel, he weaves a compelling and plot-twisting tale that brings new life to those insights, along with fresh revelations about personal growth, spiritual transformation, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
In psychologist Kelly Flanagan's nonfiction works ( Loveable , True Companions ), he drew from clinical insight to explore the spiritual depths of identity and relationships. Now, in this debut novel, he weaves a compelling and plot-twisting tale that brings new life to those insights, along with fresh revelations about personal growth, spiritual transformation, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
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Published October 18, 2022
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About the author
Kelly Flanagan
5 books77 followersDr. Kelly Flanagan is an award-winning author, international speaker, concierge coach, and clinical psychologist with two decades of expertise in interpersonal relationships. His thought leadership has been featured in THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES, the TODAY Show, and Success Magazine. His first two books, LOVEABLE and TRUE COMPANIONS were #1 New Releases in Interpersonal Relations on Amazon, and his debut novel, THE UNHIDING OF ELIJAH CAMPBELL, won multiple literary awards. The proprietary frameworks in his book THE ROAD LESS TRIGGERED will take your relationships to a level that traditional communication strategies can’t touch. He is married to another clinical psychologist named Kelly, and they have three children—one adulting, and two at home in their small town outside of Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 25, 2022
It's such a privilege to read an advanced copy of book and even more of a privilege when it's a story as meaningful as this one.
As is usually the case, Kelly Flanagan leads us readers into the places we think we don't want to go--our hidden selves, the past, our pain--and shows us the way to beauty and freedom through those paths.
This novel, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell, is fiction but it felt like a story I could have lived. It feels like the truth.
"The past is behind us, but it is also, always, within us."
This opening line becomes a refrain throughout the book and by the time I finished reading, my soul was singing along.
Take an unforgettable inner journey with Elijah Campbell and maybe discover your own hiding places along the way.
As is usually the case, Kelly Flanagan leads us readers into the places we think we don't want to go--our hidden selves, the past, our pain--and shows us the way to beauty and freedom through those paths.
This novel, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell, is fiction but it felt like a story I could have lived. It feels like the truth.
"The past is behind us, but it is also, always, within us."
This opening line becomes a refrain throughout the book and by the time I finished reading, my soul was singing along.
Take an unforgettable inner journey with Elijah Campbell and maybe discover your own hiding places along the way.
September 22, 2022
This is a book that stays with me. I’ve described scenes from it and why they were helpful to multiple friends.
It’s a story that helps you explore what keeps you from going where good people are inviting you to go in relationship with them. The storytelling is clever and keeps you wondering what interesting thing will happen next.
It’s written by a counselor that has listened to countless stories of people being stuck and has found a unique way to offer a guide into freedom and grace.
If you read it and want to chat about it let me know.
It’s a story that helps you explore what keeps you from going where good people are inviting you to go in relationship with them. The storytelling is clever and keeps you wondering what interesting thing will happen next.
It’s written by a counselor that has listened to countless stories of people being stuck and has found a unique way to offer a guide into freedom and grace.
If you read it and want to chat about it let me know.
August 4, 2022
Getting real with ourselves can often be one of life's most difficult tasks. We think we are able to hide ourselves from those we love, from God, and even from ourselves, yet the psyche doesn't let us get away with such attempts, at least not without major repercussions. Walking this journey with Elijah Campbell resonates with my own personal journey; Eli (rhymes with "Belly") speaks not only to himself and his ghosts but also to me. I suspect his epiphanies will resonate in some way with most human beings, especially those of us who feel the need to protect ourselves from whatever perceived dangers we face. Themes regarding acceptance, grace, peace, resistance, love, truth, shame, anger, remorse, forgiveness, control, and worth all speak to the struggle of being human. Each "awareness" can separate us or connect us; how we choose to respond to them determines our trajectory. Eli found his path; I suspect all readers will find similar ones if they take the time to join Eli on his.
August 5, 2022
The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell is a wonderful chance to revisit with yourself, the people, pieces and chapters of your life. The story is everybody's story. It is a chance to see everything with fresh eyes, to set aside what you think you already know about the past...all the while coming to terms with and even falling in love with who you are, when you have the courage to be found.
September 27, 2022
Absolutely loved this book 😍 I am hoping this will be the first of a Bradford’s Ferry series. I am invested in the characters and hope to hear the stories of Benjamin, Father Lou, Rebecca etc etc. I hope we get to experience Sarah growing up. Why did Gus choose to become a teacher rather than a writer himself? Did Jeff always want to help people? Definitely invested❣️ Not since Mitford have I raced to get back so quickly to Bradford’s Ferry. I am so proud of Eli for doing the hard work - love, belonging, purpose. Thank you for the hours of work you poured into this fabulous story. Loved it.
August 19, 2022
I was so gripped by this novel. As a therapist, and someone who has done a lot of my own therapy, it invites the reader into the journey of becoming and discovering our true self! This is a must read for those curious about the beautiful and courageous work of unhiding and being truly ourselves.
October 17, 2022
Right from the start, in the intriguing Prologue, the reader is pulled in to this story, leaving you desperate to know how it will all unfold.
It is so insightful, looking into the mind and the thinking of the main character, seeing his doubts, insecurities and internal conversation that is easy to relate to. The author has a great ability to write the inner workings of someone’s thoughts, so convincingly. To really get inside someone else’s mind, even the darkest of recesses, in a realistic way.
The book is about the main character coming to terms with who he is, whether it is by way of a midlife crisis, a crisis of faith or a personality crisis, or a combination of them all. And the irony is not lost on the reader that he has made a career writing books on just these topics. But a fragile personality is tipped over the edge, having never really admitted to himself, or others, who he really is, which leads down a path of unravelling and eventually rebuilding.
As his life falls apart, he visits old haunts and his background is revealed, exposing some of the reasons why he is how he is. The amateur psychologists amongst us will have a field day spotting all the clues along the way, that have been laid by a truly professional psychologist author.
It is a well presented case study ... read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/the-unhid...
It is so insightful, looking into the mind and the thinking of the main character, seeing his doubts, insecurities and internal conversation that is easy to relate to. The author has a great ability to write the inner workings of someone’s thoughts, so convincingly. To really get inside someone else’s mind, even the darkest of recesses, in a realistic way.
The book is about the main character coming to terms with who he is, whether it is by way of a midlife crisis, a crisis of faith or a personality crisis, or a combination of them all. And the irony is not lost on the reader that he has made a career writing books on just these topics. But a fragile personality is tipped over the edge, having never really admitted to himself, or others, who he really is, which leads down a path of unravelling and eventually rebuilding.
As his life falls apart, he visits old haunts and his background is revealed, exposing some of the reasons why he is how he is. The amateur psychologists amongst us will have a field day spotting all the clues along the way, that have been laid by a truly professional psychologist author.
It is a well presented case study ... read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/the-unhid...
August 15, 2022
Once again, Kelly has put himself and his words out there for all of us to enjoy and to be enlightened.
This time he has created an inside look at a life that is so relatable and so raw, you won't be able to turn away. In his previous books he spoke to you directly and demonstrated a true nack at helping you reflect on yourself. This time he has thrown you in to a place where the hurt is all too real but the redeeming effect of healing with your vulnerability in tact is quite astounding. This book captured me and held me deeply and I was up until 2:30 AM the last night I read because of how gripping and engrossed I was.
Well done, I fully recommend it to anyone who needs some healing in their heart.
This time he has created an inside look at a life that is so relatable and so raw, you won't be able to turn away. In his previous books he spoke to you directly and demonstrated a true nack at helping you reflect on yourself. This time he has thrown you in to a place where the hurt is all too real but the redeeming effect of healing with your vulnerability in tact is quite astounding. This book captured me and held me deeply and I was up until 2:30 AM the last night I read because of how gripping and engrossed I was.
Well done, I fully recommend it to anyone who needs some healing in their heart.
October 15, 2022
I would divide this book into 3 sections of 100 pages. The bad, the okay and a good ending is how I look at it. The major character, Eli (Elijah) is not appealing to me. He is flat for the first 200 pages. The author writes about a bridge, the beginning, the middle, is very scary and the end to finally get to the other side. That is how the sections feel. The character hides from his true feelings to himself and the people he cares about or loves. Can he find himself? The problem was I just did not care.
August 20, 2022
This is the story of Eli, but it's also my story, and probably your story. It is a story of being human, and reading it will make you a more compassionate person--toward others, but more importantly, toward yourself.
May 12, 2022
Loved this book. Reminds me a bit of a favorite novel, Glittering Images by Susan Howatch.
October 3, 2022
I finished devouring this book in ONE day! I have read everything by Kelly Flanagan and love his writing style; open, honest and always inspiring!! This book is Kelly’s first novel. I couldn’t put it down until I found out how things turned out for Elijah and his family. You will be sucked in and even recognize yourself as you journey through the the book and the story of the unhiding of Elijah. Excellent!
August 22, 2022
I snarfed this book over the course of just a couple of days. For a while I wasn't sure it was going to pull its weight: were the stakes really this high, or were the moments of crisis overly dramatized? Obviously I'm trying to avoid spoilers. The stakes really ARE high, & we come to understand Eli as he comes to understand himself. I'll leave it at that. :-)
October 3, 2022
Dr. Kelly Flanagan has a way of writing in a wonderfully relatable fashion. His gift for alliterating a “life moment” as a heartfelt lesson is amazing. I have read all of his books and each one is well, there are so many adjectives that come to mind but each would not reach the mark. Pick this book up and find just what you need. Relate to the character and enjoy the growth that stirs within!
October 20, 2022
Beautifully written story about healing and the secrets we keep and the secrets we carry. It captures the power of place and people in our stories and the rewriting of those stories. A story that will stay with you long beyond it’s last pages.
August 13, 2022
I couldn't put this down! It's a great adventure story about marriage, but more than that, Flanagan's elegant writing gathers you in like you're family. This book invites honest questions and shows us the beauty in true identity.
August 13, 2022
This is a captivating and thought provoking book! You’ll want to read it twice!
October 30, 2022
Elijah Campbell’s marriage, relationship with his daughter, and writing career bear all the marks of a life well lived–and that’s his goal. Never mind that he is deeply in debt and suffering from writer’s block. Never mind that his wife is miserable, lonely, and feeling as if she had never known him.
Suddenly Elijah is forced to realize he’s spent his life hiding– and the un-hiding of a hidden soul is a painful and laborious process. Kelly Flanagan’s story weaving and character development take the reader through an entire range of emotions. I sympathized with Elijah, all the while wanting to shout, “Stop doing this to yourself!”
Well-conceived Christan fiction has a way of opening a Pandora’s Box of questions, some of which I’m still pondering:
What is the role of imagination in a vital prayer life?
What is the best measure of love?
Why do we all struggle to forgive freely when we are so deeply in need of forgiveness ourselves?
A Better Strategy for Living
A hidden and unhealthy life takes a long time to turn inward, and it may start to look even worse on its way to getting better. Elijah’s return to home town Bradford’s Ferry seems to create more problems than it solves, for what he imagined to be his own personal mess turns out to be merely one falling domino in a chain of generational dysfunction. The quick fix visit to put the past behind him turned out to be impossible because “you can’t put something behind you if it is also within you.”
Readers who commiserated with Jack Boughton, Marilynne Robinson’s wayward son from the Gilead series, will find a soft spot in their hearts for Elijah Campbell’s clumsiness at life. Honorary members of the Sensible Shoes Club who appreciate honest conversation around spiritual formation within their fiction and cherish the wise input of a fictional coach will linger long over the dialogue between Elijah and Father Lou.
Fortunately, our unhiding happens first before God who “holds us completely, without holding on to us at all, because that’s what love does.” How wonderful to soak up a beautiful story that carries with it a push toward a better strategy for living and loving.
And how wonderful to share it with friends.
Many thanks to IVP for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Suddenly Elijah is forced to realize he’s spent his life hiding– and the un-hiding of a hidden soul is a painful and laborious process. Kelly Flanagan’s story weaving and character development take the reader through an entire range of emotions. I sympathized with Elijah, all the while wanting to shout, “Stop doing this to yourself!”
Well-conceived Christan fiction has a way of opening a Pandora’s Box of questions, some of which I’m still pondering:
What is the role of imagination in a vital prayer life?
What is the best measure of love?
Why do we all struggle to forgive freely when we are so deeply in need of forgiveness ourselves?
A Better Strategy for Living
A hidden and unhealthy life takes a long time to turn inward, and it may start to look even worse on its way to getting better. Elijah’s return to home town Bradford’s Ferry seems to create more problems than it solves, for what he imagined to be his own personal mess turns out to be merely one falling domino in a chain of generational dysfunction. The quick fix visit to put the past behind him turned out to be impossible because “you can’t put something behind you if it is also within you.”
Readers who commiserated with Jack Boughton, Marilynne Robinson’s wayward son from the Gilead series, will find a soft spot in their hearts for Elijah Campbell’s clumsiness at life. Honorary members of the Sensible Shoes Club who appreciate honest conversation around spiritual formation within their fiction and cherish the wise input of a fictional coach will linger long over the dialogue between Elijah and Father Lou.
Fortunately, our unhiding happens first before God who “holds us completely, without holding on to us at all, because that’s what love does.” How wonderful to soak up a beautiful story that carries with it a push toward a better strategy for living and loving.
And how wonderful to share it with friends.
Many thanks to IVP for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
April 29, 2025
The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell stands as psychologist Kelly Flanagan’s debut novel. Flanagan’s expertise was fully on display as Elijah, the protagonist, struggled with his mental health and the buried trauma haunting his dreams. I marked many quotes while reading because I felt the truth of them. Then again, when I prepared to write this review I reread all I had marked and found the statements still worth further pondering.
The theme of “The past is behind us, but it is also, always, within us” repeated throughout The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell. As Eljah processed his trauma, he came close to suicide twice which might be a trigger for some readers. I admit, the book unsettled me with its depictions of emotional pain and a child carrying a family secret. Hard situations, complex feelings, and disturbing memories surfaced along the plot. A few mild cuss words appeared in times of frustration. The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan was not a pleasure read, but it held a lot of truth for survivors of childhood trauma. The book mixed self-help with fiction, and it would make a good therapy resource. Four stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
The theme of “The past is behind us, but it is also, always, within us” repeated throughout The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell. As Eljah processed his trauma, he came close to suicide twice which might be a trigger for some readers. I admit, the book unsettled me with its depictions of emotional pain and a child carrying a family secret. Hard situations, complex feelings, and disturbing memories surfaced along the plot. A few mild cuss words appeared in times of frustration. The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan was not a pleasure read, but it held a lot of truth for survivors of childhood trauma. The book mixed self-help with fiction, and it would make a good therapy resource. Four stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
October 18, 2022
Powerful book of awakening.
"We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Dr. Kelly once again shines light into the dark corners of life revealing our shared human experience.
Richly layered like the shades of light from twilight to dawn… like the progression from childhood to our life’s purpose… like the transition from fear of darkness to our revelation that it’s always been simply the absence of light and nothing changes but our eyes.
Affirming gratitude in seeing and being seen. The real work of self-discovery is a delicate process of unhiding and shattering habitual patterns of thinking to knowing the truth by being.
Honest, inspiring, & beautiful.
"We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Dr. Kelly once again shines light into the dark corners of life revealing our shared human experience.
Richly layered like the shades of light from twilight to dawn… like the progression from childhood to our life’s purpose… like the transition from fear of darkness to our revelation that it’s always been simply the absence of light and nothing changes but our eyes.
Affirming gratitude in seeing and being seen. The real work of self-discovery is a delicate process of unhiding and shattering habitual patterns of thinking to knowing the truth by being.
Honest, inspiring, & beautiful.
October 20, 2022
This book is amazing! You will be swept along with this book’s page-turning and plot twisted story of a man that goes home to find answers to unhide from his past. This isn’t a psychological self help book, but a story that could help some. But, if you want to feel more centered in yourself and more connected to your people this book does just that. I haven’t read a book that changed my life in years. This one has. I love this book and have bought 10 copies for friends and family.
October 18, 2022
Poignant and powerful book just right for the transformative times in which we are living. Elijah’s journey of self-understanding, blossoming connection to himself and others fills me with hope for the future. A beautifully written story that illuminates the turbulent and essential work of looking for insights inside of us in order to grow in love for self and others.
February 11, 2023
This book started out being difficult to read. It was haerd to like Elijah. But as it continued and Elijahs world turned upside down the story began to speak to my heart. By the end I had completely changed my view of Elijah and the book. The story brought me to some realizations about myself. Its like a self help book in fiction form.
December 22, 2022
Omg. I think I just gave an official five-star rating to a Christian fiction book. It really was that good.
May 20, 2023
I’m still processing this book, with all of its nuggets of truth and glimpses of the divine, of the surreal and the mundane, of the people and experiences that color our day to day, and the importance of the Great I Am in all of it. Elijah was real, and flawed, and a bit of a bonehead, but wow what a ride! I feel so honored to have read it.
January 23, 2023
Elijah Campbell is prompted to return to his hometown by a recurring childhood nightmare as he grapples with his failing writing career and marriage in shambles. Conversations with his loved ones in the present and of the past lead him to contemplate whether he’s ready to unhide secrets he’s been keeping for a long time and hopefully save his marriage.
I wanted to like THE UNHIDING OF ELIJAH CAMPBELL more than I did. I came away feeling like it was a self-help book poorly disguised as a Christian fiction novel. I had a hard time connecting with the writing and became annoyed at the many passages that were very directly written psychology teaching points. That said, I think that for the right audience, this book would be a meaningful read. Unfortunately, that wasn’t me.
Thank you to InterVarsity Press for the giveaway ARC.
I wanted to like THE UNHIDING OF ELIJAH CAMPBELL more than I did. I came away feeling like it was a self-help book poorly disguised as a Christian fiction novel. I had a hard time connecting with the writing and became annoyed at the many passages that were very directly written psychology teaching points. That said, I think that for the right audience, this book would be a meaningful read. Unfortunately, that wasn’t me.
Thank you to InterVarsity Press for the giveaway ARC.
May 17, 2023
I bought this book to read because I have been following Kelly as an author since his Loveable and True Companions books. I was even more excited that this was going to be a work of fiction! But don’t get me wrong, it was still a book that allowed me to learn about myself and the people around me. I found the main character and his struggles very relatable. He took us on a journey of Unhiding and learned the importance of showing our true selves:
“The longing to understand someone may be the truest expression of love, the opposite of love isn’t hating someone, it’s hiding yourself from them so you can never be known.” I would definitely recommend this book to read on your own or even as a book club as it provokes some great discussion!
“The longing to understand someone may be the truest expression of love, the opposite of love isn’t hating someone, it’s hiding yourself from them so you can never be known.” I would definitely recommend this book to read on your own or even as a book club as it provokes some great discussion!
November 10, 2022
Writing style not for me. Quit early on.
October 25, 2022
'Comtemplative' is the adjective I'd use for this book that reads like an autobiography but is actually faith based fiction. The life of Elijah Campbell (Eli) is in a scramble - some would call it a "mid-life crisis". He seems to pout and whine and kick up an angry tantrum or two, precipitated by his own hiding of many secrets of his past as well as his present, even from his wife Rebecca, which culminates in a bleak - looking future. Thus the need for the "unhiding".
I almost gave up on this book because it seemed like a spoiled brat whinging and wallowing in self-pity and found it boring in parts, so I admit to reading in spurts and skipping paragraphs here and there, until I got 'arrested' with narrative of interest, about which to cogitate.
However, empathy did kick in, and I had to realize, hey! many people have past hurts and traumas, or are even occuring in their current present, that horrendously affect their present and their trust in the goodness of God and I needed to give Eli a break. So saying, I believe this would be a good therapy-type of book (although actual going to a therapist should not be precluded if need be, especially if having suicidal thoughts, I believe). Those people of like childhood angst could relate to and even may be greatly helped by Eli's struggle and wrestling to heal and find that place in which to cross that nightmarish bridge to moving into their future with faith, healing and fortitude.
May this be a message of hope and healing to many.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
June 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and InterVarsity Press publisher.
I almost gave up on this book because it seemed like a spoiled brat whinging and wallowing in self-pity and found it boring in parts, so I admit to reading in spurts and skipping paragraphs here and there, until I got 'arrested' with narrative of interest, about which to cogitate.
However, empathy did kick in, and I had to realize, hey! many people have past hurts and traumas, or are even occuring in their current present, that horrendously affect their present and their trust in the goodness of God and I needed to give Eli a break. So saying, I believe this would be a good therapy-type of book (although actual going to a therapist should not be precluded if need be, especially if having suicidal thoughts, I believe). Those people of like childhood angst could relate to and even may be greatly helped by Eli's struggle and wrestling to heal and find that place in which to cross that nightmarish bridge to moving into their future with faith, healing and fortitude.
May this be a message of hope and healing to many.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
June 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and InterVarsity Press publisher.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews