World Split Open

by Elisabeth Klein Corcoran

Jesus or no Jesus, Mitch and Jules Millhouse are a Christian couple whose lives are falling apart. Their marriage is hanging by a thread, filled with unmet expectations and unkindnesses aimed at each other every day. There is underlying abuse and addiction taking place but Jules is not at first aware of this which keeps them in a cycle of crazy-making behaviors that leaves them frustrated and beaten down. In the midst of all this, Jules struggles to know how to be a good Christian wife, mother, friend, anything in the middle of such pain and chaos; Mitch is in a job crisis as his drinking was the cause of a plane crash on his watch as an air traffic controller; their two teenagers are flailing; and Jules receives a surprise: a stack of letters that her deceased mother wrote her as she was growing up has surfaced, and its insights and guidance couldn't have come at a better time. Jules moves from beaten down woman, unaware of all that's really going on, to a woman on the verge of healing and answers. She is sincere in her desires for help and healing and yet she struggles constantly with wanting out of a marriage that is suffocating her. "World Split Open" will resonate with some, almost too closely, and challenge others' perspective that Christian marriages - and Christians' lives - just aren't supposed to be messy.

198 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2014

About the author

Elisabeth Klein lives with her husband in Illinois. They are parents of nine and grandparents to four. She provides resources to women in transition through her podcast, speaking events, blog, books and e-books, webcasts, private Facebook groups and coaching courses.

Reviews

[Alora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw and real. A bit depressing but that's because it's the reality that so many have lived--and do live. The Church often does not deal well with abuse. 'Be a better wife and he'll be a better husband', we are told. Sadly, it does not work that way with abusive relationships. That is Scripture taken out of context. My hope and prayer is that churches will address abuse--from the pulpit and regularly!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had similarities to my own

In my case, there was no alcoholism, but my marriage was extremely difficult. Harder than most people will ever know. The wife's story gave some comfort.

I feel like this was one of the most real novels I have read.