The Parable of the Road

by Brandon Evans

“It’s finally the time to deal with our father.”

In the midst of a quarter-life crisis, failed overachiever Casey King convinces her laid-back brother, Dom, to drive across America with her so she can finally confront their dad, the man she blames for screwing up her life. The siblings embark on a misadventure-filled quest for revenge, facing the realities of loss and life on the way to surprising discoveries.

The Parable of the Road is a fiercely funny, brutally honest, and ultimately healing post-evangelical novel about rediscovering God and recovering hope. With biting wit and deeply tender insight, it’s a redemptive story that will be cathartic for anyone searching for meaning on the other side of deconstructed faith.

180 pages, Paperback

Published December 4, 2025

Reviews

[Ja’Laya Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way. The Parable of the Road is funny, raw, and quietly healing. It captures the ache of a quarter-life crisis, the weight of unresolved family pain, and the confusing space of faith after disappointment. Casey’s anger, grief, and longing felt deeply real, and the sibling road trip dynamic added so much heart and humor.

What I loved most is how this story doesn’t rush healing or force answers. It allows doubt, faith, and hope to exist together. Gentle, honest, and cathartic—especially for anyone navigating life after deconstructed faith.

[Sarah LaFata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t the type book I read, but I found it enjoyable. This short novel takes Casey and her brother Dom on a cross country road trip to hopefully close one chapter of her life before she stars another. I loved Casey and her crass attitude towards life. She was wronged and made sure everyone knew it. I loved that this book took place in 2000 because I remember that time like it was yesterday! Overall, this book was a pleasant and easy read.

[thebookaddict25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon Evans’ The Parable of the Road is a book that immediately draws you in with its honest and relatable opening. Casey King’s decision that it is finally time to deal with their father sets the stage for a road trip that is messy, heartfelt, and downright hilarious. Evans writes in a way that feels like a conversation with a good friend, unfiltered, sharp, and full of truth. You do not need any particular background to connect with Casey’s frustration and longing for answers, and that makes her journey feel personal for everyone.

What makes this story stand out is how Evans balances humor with genuine emotional depth. The road trip across America becomes much more than just miles and states; it is a backdrop for Casey and Dom to face memories, regrets, and the weight of their upbringing. There are moments that will make you laugh out loud, moments that might make you wince with recognition, and moments where you feel like you are right there in the car with them. Even amid all the chaos, the book never loses its heart.

At its core, The Parable of the Road is not just about confronting a father; it is about confronting the parts of ourselves we have shoved aside. For anyone who has gone through a crisis of faith, battled with disappointment, or wondered what comes next after losing the certainties of youth, this book offers a kind of healing that you do not always find in fiction. Evans writes with a tenderness and clarity that stays with you long after the last page.

[Lisa F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is small but mighty. It’s a quick read with a lingering message: faith, hope, and salvation is available on the other side of church hurt. Brandon’s witty, profound, and humorous writing left me not only caring about the characters but seeing myself in them and my own story in theirs. As a reader, this is an incredible sense of connection with a book and despite being an avid reader, is not something I often feel. This book’s message of hope and is depth of wisdom and faith left me feeling hopeful for the differences we can make in the lives of others around us, simply by sharing love.

[Margaret Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly fast and delightful read that is eye-opening in the most retrospectively “duh” way when you reflect on it! Christianity and faith is complicated in so many ways, and this book find a way to humanize it in a way that feels tangible. Finished it in 3 nights!

[Kenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great one sitting read! Its like reading a story - conversation but kept details in line the whole time which made it so fun to flip to the next page. Casey for sure represents the oldest angry daughter in all of us and that is more than relatable! would highly recommend!!