Operating on Faith: A Painfully True Love Story

by Matt Weber

2017 Christopher Award Winner2017 Catholic Press Association Book Awards, First Marriage “In sickness and in health . . .” At age 29, Matt Weber was newly married to Nell, the girl of his dreams. They had bought their first house, adopted a dog, and looked forward to a blissful first year together. But shortly after his honeymoon, Matt’s recurring, severe stomach troubles send him to the emergency room—and after a five-hour, life-saving surgery in which a third of his stomach is removed, Matt and Nell’s plans for their new life are dramatically altered. Forced to undergo a lengthy and painful recovery, Matt finds that his relationships with God, himself, and his wife are forever changed. Operating on Faith is the gutsy story of a happy-go-lucky Catholic guy whose life was literally burst apart then stitched back together—with faith in the God he’d always known, the sweet and inexhaustible love of his wife, and healthy if sometimes irreverent doses of humor. For everyone who’s ever had plans and expectations upset by life’s events, Operating on Faith proves just how necessary love, faith, and a little grit are in facing major challenges and emerging on the other side.

Genres: Catholic

147 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2016

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I really liked reading about Matt's experiences and how him and his wife worked through everything together. Operating on Faith had a very interesting and different perspective and I really enjoyed that.
I wasn't a big fan of the writing style though. There was a lot of metaphors and smilies and it created an embellished tone to the story.
But I really liked everything else about this book and I would definitely recommend it it you're looking for a memoir.

[Katherine Philbrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of the book from Loyola Press via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Operating on Faith is a faith-centered memoir starring the author, Matt Weber. At the age of 29, Matt’s life is really starting to come together. This is the age he marries the love of his life, Nell, and he couldn’t be happier. After a year living as a married couple in a great new house with a fun new dog to take care of, Matt and Nell seem to be filled with bliss. That is until one day, Matt feels out of the ordinary and is rushed to the hospital. There, he discovers he has health issues that will completely change his life. From there on, his illness challenges his relationship with his family, his wife and most importantly, his relationship with God. Through his health issues, Matt learns what it truly means to live significant life.

I believe Operating on Faith is a mesmerizing redefinition of what it means to love and to be loved. Through vignette-style chapters, Matt speaks to you as if you were an old friend, telling you the in’s-and-outs of what is going on his life and what he makes of them. He is very honest and witty and I loved hearing what he had to say. His relationship with his wife is not perfect but it is definitely a relationship to look up to, they both take care of each other in the most loving ways. I loved reading about their hardships because eventually it ended up bringing them closer together. Most of all, I love the way their marriage brought out their Catholic roots and helped Matt realize that God, and the different ways he talks to God, truly matters. He teaches you that as a human being you should not be afraid to connect with God but instead to embrace your relationship with Him.

Finally, I love this book simply for what it is. It is a funny telling of a husband and wife loving each other, and in return, loving God. I feel like there aren’t enough Catholic books in the world like this one- ones that make you laugh and feel warm all over. Matt Weber’s writing style is great, the pacing is well done and I was a fan of the short chapters. I thought each one brought a new perspective and a new detail to giggle at. You will definitely never get bored while reading this story and may find yourself laughing out loud most of the time. I recommend Operating on Faith to any person who has any sort of faith, or to any married person looking for inspiration. This book will teach you that sometimes life can become a little bit crazy but as a long as you have faith by your side, you will be okay.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found out: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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Operating on Faith is a memoir written by Matt Weber. At age 29 he got married, bought a house with his wife, honeymooned then had an emergency life changing surgery. You face a lot in your first year of marriage, but a health crisis is not what Matt or his wife had planned, especially being that young and never having health issues previously.

I am not Catholic, so I had never heard of Matt Weber. He had written a book before Operating on Faith called Fearing the Stigmata and is host of The CatholicTV Network series The Lens. I wanted to read Operating on Faith based on the premise of the book. I enjoyed it and I liked Matt’s writing style. He takes his writing with humor, including the introduction to the book and even the chapter titles. The chapters are short which makes the book a very quick one to read.

You can see the struggle that Matt and his wife face dealing with his multiple health crises. I say multiple as there is a second struggle for them that happens. Through it all Matt and his wife have their love for each other and their faith. There is definitely humor in that household and you can’t help but laugh at parts of the book, even through their frustrations.

The only negative that I could see with the book is that I am not Catholic, so there were a few things that I did not understand. For example, I found myself wondering what the importance of Pope Francis is to Catholics, and also what exactly a “black mass” is. I felt a little more explanation would have been nice for those not knowing about the Catholic religion.

I did enjoy Operating on Faith and would be interested in Reading Matt Weber’s first book, Fearing the Stigmata.

Operating on Faith is recommended.

I received a copy from NetGalley and Loyola Press.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not a Catholic, I am a Christian and found a lot of things about this book to appreciate. Matt Weber and his wife Nell saw marriage as a serious step. They took the time to be sure that they were right for each other. When Matt developed serious health problems, Nell stood by him. She encouraged him and even acted as his nurse at times. In a world where so many people aren't willing to work through difficulties in their marriages, I found this to be refreshing.

It's obvious that Matt's faith is very important to him, and throughout the book, he talks about his childhood years and beyond, so I got a very clear idea of Matt and the values he holds dear. But we also see the vulnerability and even the doubts and puzzlement because he had to go through so much.

The reason I got this book was because I have been going through a bit of a rough patch, and I've found encouragement through books like this that are about what others are going through. In my opinion, it would benefit anyone who is facing tribulations of their own. This book would also make a perfect engagement gift for anyone contemplating marriage. You never really know what is going to happen in life, and it definitely gives the reader some things to think about.

[Erica Wissick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book during a wearisome hour at work with the intent on skimming through it as I wasn't at all interested in the story as more interested in what these two people had to say about the one "adversity" that tore through their otherwise easy, simple lives. And skim through it I did, as one would an animation flip book.

The meagerness-there are 26 chapters with each chapter about two pages; quantity doesn't make for substance-and vapidness of the author's thoughts, though relayed in a hyper, happy-go-lucky, breezy tone that reflects the author's "Leave-It-To-Beaver" (his example) existence and misguidedly taken for humor and resilience, makes this book trite reading for an adult, on par with sixth grade level jocularity and tribulation.

As emphasized by the author, he and his wife are Harvard grads who are are active in the Harvard community, including worship services. They refer to each other as "darling". Along with pointing out the many people affiliated with Harvard who wished the author a speedy recovery from his one-time adversity (a life-saving stomach operation), he mentions his many family members, friends and even the proprietor of a bed-and-breakfast in Dublin, Ireland, a gift from his wife for his birthday. He actually includes the proprietor's email verbatim.

I got the impression Operating on Faith was nothing more than a feel-good story for none other but the author and his wife. I also got the sense the author felt tremendous guilt for getting sick nearly immediately after his wedding and putting his dear little wife through such emotional wringer so early in their marriage in what is normally known as the honeymoon phase. The story could've been interesting had the author explored this. Alas, he seems inept to delve that deep.

What I did find comical about the book was the epilogue written by the wife. She begins with "When I look back on that year-our first year of marriage-*of course* (stressed) I remember [my husband] being sick." Mind you, this was written a mere two years after. Along with the author's near-death sickness, it was their first year of marriage-um, why wouldn't you remember? Trite and fatuous with the tone of a middle-aged woman who sips tea with her biscuits. Most abhorrent was how she used a blocks worth of Gabriel García Márquez's quote to end the epilogue that filled half the page. I should have thought a Harvard grad would be able to come up with her own thoughts to her husband's memoir.

For the cost of the Kindle book, $7 and change, a sandwich would've been better spent.

[Ryan and Sara Wendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about how Matt Weber and his wife endured through their difficulties and struggles together as a married couple. However, I am not a fan of the writing style, though. The similes and metaphors took away from the story.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has been through a life changing event or has a life long illness/condition this book puts into words exactly how we are all thinking and feeling.

I think that it is wonderful that Matt had the courage to write honestly and openly about his condition, his faith and his love of his life.

For anyone who has been through anything like this and continues to go through these things having someone there who loves, supports, care and stands by you is truly a beautiful thing.

I have so thankful for my husband who is my best friend who encourages me to keep going and picks me up when life gets you down. It is hard work living life like normal when you have something wrong with you that is a life long condition but with the love of a good partner you get through anything.

I really loved this book and i found it moving and beautiful.

I want to thank NetGalley, Matt Weber and publisher Loyola Press for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

Happy reading everyone

[Studentofparables · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Painfully True Love Story” is the subtitle of this book, and boy – it’s not kidding around. The Webers sure went through a lot their first year of marriage.

I appreciate Mr. Weber writing this book. So many memoirs out there focus on the struggles and triumphs of the author only – and while there’s nothing wrong with those works, this book brings something new by focusing so much on his wife, making what THEY are going through the central theme.

A better book on how to forge a marriage together would be hard to find.

No, the Webers aren’t perfect, but they are great role-models in how they actively put each other first, help each other through the hard days, and show grace for each other’s mistakes. The story in these pages will remind you to slow down a moment and savor the time you have with others – making each interaction count.

I recommend this book as good training for all who want to make their own relationships stronger.

I received a review copy of this work from the publisher through NetGalley

[Lindsay Wilcox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the concept of being drawn closer to God through trial, and I liked that it was written by a young person facing a serious health condition. You don't see that angle often. I'm not a fan of vignette-style books. For example, "The House on Mango Street" might be a modern classic, but I wasn't into it. I had a similar problem with this book. I do have to say, though, that I loved seeing a man write so fondly of his wife. Matt and Nell are deeply in love. If ever there were a case of being drawn together through suffering, this is it. It makes me long even more for my own copilot and face of God in my life.

Read my full review at ATX Catholic.

[Kat Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting, which I have not done since reading The Hunger Games. Before starting the book, I was curious how Weber would tie his illness, love for his wife, and God together in one short book. After reading, I realize that he would not be able to tell his story without incorporating those three themes. I both laughed and cried when reading about Matt and Nell's love for each other, and learned how love and God can be one in the same when dealing with sickness and pain. For anyone looking for an opportunity to immediately connect with a story and protagonist, Operating on Faith is your book.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with a copy in exhange for an honest review

I am not entirely sure as to how the title fits with the book. I wouldn't describe it as a love story. It's just a memoir where the author happens to be happily married. I nevertheless enjoyed the book, even though it was much too religious for me, but it's my fault for not noticing that Religion-&-Spirituality label when I requested this book on Netgalley. ^^

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a fan of the writing style--overdone metaphors and smilies, and everything exaggerated to make it seem more exciting, or impressive, or funny, or unusual, or whatever.