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Indivisible: A Novelization
Inspired by true events, Indivisible is a story of love, service, and finding each other all over again.
Darren and Heather Turner share a passion for serving God, family, and country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq as an army chaplain, Heather vows to serve military families back home as she cares for the couple's three young children.
Darren knows he's overseas to support the troops in their suffering as their chaplain. What he doesn't know is how he will get through his own dark moments. And as communication from Darren dwindles, Heather wonders what is happening in her husband's heart. Meanwhile, she's growing weary in the day-to-day life of a military base--each child's milestone Darren will never see, each month waiting for orders, each late-night knock on the door.
When Darren returns, he is no longer the husband Heather once knew. She is no longer the woman Darren wed. And so it's at home that the Turners face their biggest to save their marriage.
Based on the screen play by David Evans, Indivisible is a tribute to the beauty of serving our country, the courage of choosing love in the darkness, and the power of a God who never gives up hope.
Darren and Heather Turner share a passion for serving God, family, and country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq as an army chaplain, Heather vows to serve military families back home as she cares for the couple's three young children.
Darren knows he's overseas to support the troops in their suffering as their chaplain. What he doesn't know is how he will get through his own dark moments. And as communication from Darren dwindles, Heather wonders what is happening in her husband's heart. Meanwhile, she's growing weary in the day-to-day life of a military base--each child's milestone Darren will never see, each month waiting for orders, each late-night knock on the door.
When Darren returns, he is no longer the husband Heather once knew. She is no longer the woman Darren wed. And so it's at home that the Turners face their biggest to save their marriage.
Based on the screen play by David Evans, Indivisible is a tribute to the beauty of serving our country, the courage of choosing love in the darkness, and the power of a God who never gives up hope.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2018
74 people are currently reading
1331 people want to read
About the author
Travis Thrasher
72 books419 followersNew York Times bestselling author Travis Thrasher has written over 75 books, from fiction in a variety of genres to memoirs and children’s books. He has collaborated with filmmakers, musicians, athletes, comedians and pastors. Travis lives with his wife and three daughters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 25, 2019
Faith Building. That is the best way to describe this novel based upon the marriage of Darren and Heather Turner during his deployment to Iraq.
Darren is a new Army Chaplain and confident in God's call to serve in this way. The 15 months in Iraq impact him in both positive and negative ways. His marriage and faith are tested.
I love the friendships formed in the pages and the reality of what it's like to serve in a war zone.
My respect and gratitude for our U.S. Servicemen has been profoundly renewed by this novel.
My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
Darren is a new Army Chaplain and confident in God's call to serve in this way. The 15 months in Iraq impact him in both positive and negative ways. His marriage and faith are tested.
I love the friendships formed in the pages and the reality of what it's like to serve in a war zone.
My respect and gratitude for our U.S. Servicemen has been profoundly renewed by this novel.
My gratitude to publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
July 15, 2018
The Christian walk is a battle, but Darren and Heather's battle become even more of a reality when Darren is sent to Iraq as a chaplain.
I loved the progress of this story and the deep feelings put into all the characters. Those who serve in the military are special people! The emotions were high as I read, and I could understand some of how Darren and Heather felt as they served those around them. Serving others is draining, but oh so fulfilling.
I enjoyed the short chapters, and how easy this was to pick up. I can't wait to see the movie! I did find it strange that a couple chapters switched to present instead of past, but I think it was more for effect on the emotions of certain scenes. Also, there are a couple euphemisms used throughout, but not overused.
I definitely recommend this to mid teens and up. There is some war scenes shown, but written carefully and not gruesomely. I loved the depiction of the armour of God being Darren's guide as a soldier. A powerful comparison!
*I received this to read from Thomas Nelson publishers. All thoughts are my own*
I loved the progress of this story and the deep feelings put into all the characters. Those who serve in the military are special people! The emotions were high as I read, and I could understand some of how Darren and Heather felt as they served those around them. Serving others is draining, but oh so fulfilling.
I enjoyed the short chapters, and how easy this was to pick up. I can't wait to see the movie! I did find it strange that a couple chapters switched to present instead of past, but I think it was more for effect on the emotions of certain scenes. Also, there are a couple euphemisms used throughout, but not overused.
I definitely recommend this to mid teens and up. There is some war scenes shown, but written carefully and not gruesomely. I loved the depiction of the armour of God being Darren's guide as a soldier. A powerful comparison!
*I received this to read from Thomas Nelson publishers. All thoughts are my own*
April 22, 2019
“One Family. Under God. Indivisible”
Being called by God is not a call to an easy, wealthy and laid back life. Being called by God is a call to partner with him through the challenges of life and allow him to use you to reach others.
The story of Darren and Heather Turner demonstrates a beautiful picture of what it means to be called by and to walk with God. To stay unseparated from God regardless what may come your way.
This family’s experience is very real. The challenges, the emotions, the faith, the ups, the downs, the heartbreaks I loved it all!!
“Both of them had been trying so hard to carry this impossible load. It was a load neither of them could endure. They couldn’t right this ship on there own. God was going to finish the work he was doing in them”.
I also really liked how Wild at heart was used to demonstrate practical application of John Eldredge’s teachings.
Well done Travis Thrasher this is wonderfully written! My first but not my last By this author.
Recommended to all!!
Being called by God is not a call to an easy, wealthy and laid back life. Being called by God is a call to partner with him through the challenges of life and allow him to use you to reach others.
The story of Darren and Heather Turner demonstrates a beautiful picture of what it means to be called by and to walk with God. To stay unseparated from God regardless what may come your way.
This family’s experience is very real. The challenges, the emotions, the faith, the ups, the downs, the heartbreaks I loved it all!!
“Both of them had been trying so hard to carry this impossible load. It was a load neither of them could endure. They couldn’t right this ship on there own. God was going to finish the work he was doing in them”.
I also really liked how Wild at heart was used to demonstrate practical application of John Eldredge’s teachings.
Well done Travis Thrasher this is wonderfully written! My first but not my last By this author.
Recommended to all!!
October 11, 2018
Look, I live in a military town. I’ve seen the pain of deployments and the aftermath in families. I expected it to be a hard book. And it was.
Unfortunately, most of what was hard was slogging through the narrative. The book read almost like a diary of events but not written in a diary style. Because of that, I felt disconnected from the characters.
Now I cared enough to keep reading even when it dragged and dragged, but not enough that I didn’t have to flip back every now and then because I found myself skimming.
Add to that bizarre lapses into present tense for reasons I feel like I should know but never made themselves obvious, and it was just a difficult, uninteresting read.
Frankly, I feel heartless at the end of it. Because real people were hurting in the pages of that book, and I really didn’t care. It was a very disconnected, “that’s sad” instead of feeling my heart ripped out for them.
As a movie?
I sure hope they manage to tell a cohesive story in a way that holds viewers’ attention because if they do with the movie what happened with the book, an important film is going to flop. And I’d really hate to see that happen. I'm kind of sorry that I requested a review copy now. I'm afraid to spend the money on a movie that may disappoint me as well.
As for the Turners, I pray for them. Why? Because while I read with a detached attitude about the events in this book, they lived them. And though it is obvious that they’ve healed from all they went through, the scars are still there.
I appreciate their service to our country—all of them.
Unfortunately, most of what was hard was slogging through the narrative. The book read almost like a diary of events but not written in a diary style. Because of that, I felt disconnected from the characters.
Now I cared enough to keep reading even when it dragged and dragged, but not enough that I didn’t have to flip back every now and then because I found myself skimming.
Add to that bizarre lapses into present tense for reasons I feel like I should know but never made themselves obvious, and it was just a difficult, uninteresting read.
Frankly, I feel heartless at the end of it. Because real people were hurting in the pages of that book, and I really didn’t care. It was a very disconnected, “that’s sad” instead of feeling my heart ripped out for them.
As a movie?
I sure hope they manage to tell a cohesive story in a way that holds viewers’ attention because if they do with the movie what happened with the book, an important film is going to flop. And I’d really hate to see that happen. I'm kind of sorry that I requested a review copy now. I'm afraid to spend the money on a movie that may disappoint me as well.
As for the Turners, I pray for them. Why? Because while I read with a detached attitude about the events in this book, they lived them. And though it is obvious that they’ve healed from all they went through, the scars are still there.
I appreciate their service to our country—all of them.
October 10, 2018
Soon after picking this book up I felt like I was in the actual war zone, but also back home and having the horrible duty of going and being with someone who had just lost their loved one.
Yes, this book shows you the side of war you probably don’t want to know, we put faces to those who give the utmost, both away and at home.
With God centered lives you would think that this journey would be easier, but the horrible reality of war, and some of the most devout can doubt their faith, but without faith how do you find your way back.
This is a book that is based on a true story, and knowing that we come to see the toll war takes on our military.
Come and walk in this couple’s shoes, they might get a bit tight, but it is an experience with a journey of faith.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
Yes, this book shows you the side of war you probably don’t want to know, we put faces to those who give the utmost, both away and at home.
With God centered lives you would think that this journey would be easier, but the horrible reality of war, and some of the most devout can doubt their faith, but without faith how do you find your way back.
This is a book that is based on a true story, and knowing that we come to see the toll war takes on our military.
Come and walk in this couple’s shoes, they might get a bit tight, but it is an experience with a journey of faith.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
October 6, 2018
Indivisible by Travis Thrasher - oh wow, oh wow, oh wow - what a powerful contemporary Christian novel showing the effects of a military chaplain at war, on the whole family. My emotions really went through the mill and were shot to pieces. I 'felt' for all the family. As an outsider looking in, I could 'see' all their pain.
Indivisible is a microcosm focusing in on one family, of a macrocosm happening the world over. An army chaplain going to war in Iraq in 2007 is the focus of the novel. He "head(ed) off into the unknown with God." Faithful to God's calling, the chaplain wanted to shine light into the dark places. "He didn't like the destination God had picked, but there was no better place to be than where God calls you to be. "
An army chaplain still sees war, tries to bring faith and God's love to the troops, and is a strong rock on which they can rely. The reader witnesses the effects of war - the anger, the survivors guilt, the questioning of God and the attempt to cover it all up and try to cope alone. "The enemy got you trusting in you." No man is an island and no man can carry the weight of things seen in war alone. All troops return from war with scars, it's just that some are invisible.
The reader sees the families left behind. The women and children who have to cope without their men folk and who then have to adjust when they return. The heart stopping knock at the door, never knowing if it is the pizza delivery or bad news.
A loving father goes off to serve. A shell of a man returns. It's so heart breaking.
The novel has many Godly lessons for us all to learn. Scripture is quoted and we glimpse the heart of God.
I could not put Indivisible down. It is a testament to the bravery of all our servicemen and women and their families. You all deserve medals. Thank you for your bravery. May God richly bless you all.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Indivisible is a microcosm focusing in on one family, of a macrocosm happening the world over. An army chaplain going to war in Iraq in 2007 is the focus of the novel. He "head(ed) off into the unknown with God." Faithful to God's calling, the chaplain wanted to shine light into the dark places. "He didn't like the destination God had picked, but there was no better place to be than where God calls you to be. "
An army chaplain still sees war, tries to bring faith and God's love to the troops, and is a strong rock on which they can rely. The reader witnesses the effects of war - the anger, the survivors guilt, the questioning of God and the attempt to cover it all up and try to cope alone. "The enemy got you trusting in you." No man is an island and no man can carry the weight of things seen in war alone. All troops return from war with scars, it's just that some are invisible.
The reader sees the families left behind. The women and children who have to cope without their men folk and who then have to adjust when they return. The heart stopping knock at the door, never knowing if it is the pizza delivery or bad news.
A loving father goes off to serve. A shell of a man returns. It's so heart breaking.
The novel has many Godly lessons for us all to learn. Scripture is quoted and we glimpse the heart of God.
I could not put Indivisible down. It is a testament to the bravery of all our servicemen and women and their families. You all deserve medals. Thank you for your bravery. May God richly bless you all.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
November 20, 2018
I had trouble with this one. It did not hold my attention and it did not seem like a thrasher book. (I am a huge fan of his.) It was one book that was not as good as the movie was.
I will say this the emotion that I felt watching the movie was not in the book. But the book had some depth and the characters were will portrayed on the pages.
I had to give this book 3.5 stars. But please give it a try you may feel different about it when you read it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I will say this the emotion that I felt watching the movie was not in the book. But the book had some depth and the characters were will portrayed on the pages.
I had to give this book 3.5 stars. But please give it a try you may feel different about it when you read it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
September 21, 2019
Based on a true story of a couple finding themselves and coming back to a place of love and compassion and happiness after a tragic moment in their relationship. There is also a movie based on this story. Indivisible starts with a Christian family named the Turners. Darren Turner is a minister and the family is all for serving God before Heather got pregnant and had her family she had wanted to become a missionary and serve. A news report features President George Bush talking about the war and terrorism in Iraq and the beginning of Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda. They are asking Americans to sign up and join the army and the fight to save the regular people from danger. Darren sees this as his calling and so the Turner family moved to an Army base where Darren signs up as an Army Chaplain. Within the next few months, Darren learns that he is being sent overseas with a troop for fifteen months. The family prepare and tears are shed. For the first three-six months Darren and Heather keep in good spirits and contact but then things start to get strained as overseas Darren is being hit every day by death of both American troops and innocent civilians - children and adults. He is losing friends and having to preside over the funerals of them all is getting to him. His communication with his family begins to slack and become short and sharp when he does get a chance. When Darren returns home from the war, he is a different person and not the same loving and caring husband and father he used to be. Even his children are afraid of him. Can Darren and Heather repair their marriage and their family? Will Darren be able to move on from what he experienced and let Heather into his heart again or was is the man he was before the war disappeared for good?
Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher "Indivisible". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.
Find out in this emotional, inspiring and powerful read by Travis Thrasher "Indivisible". After finishing this book and feeling like I did afterward, I am now interested in watching the movie.
October 11, 2018
After seeing the trailer for the upcoming Indivisible movie, I was super excited to see that I had been approved for an ARC of this book. Knowing that the story of Darren and Heather Turner is in fact based off of the Turner family's true life experience only made me enjoy this book more. I really enjoyed the way this book was broken into three parts of pre-deployment, deployment, and reintegration. It really helped the pacing and progression of both the story and the characters. The difficult emotions of loss, homesickness, and maintaining faith throughout the cruelties of war were eloquently written. Thrasher has written a truly inspiring story about life, love, and trusting God's plan even if it isn't what you imagined.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for and honest review.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for and honest review.
October 26, 2018
Indivisible by Travis Thrasher, is the novelization of the upcoming movie by David G. Evans. The synopsis is the same as the movie, obviously, so I'll just share my opinions:
I loved the progress of the story line and the raw emotion shown by the characters made this a very strong story. I appreciated how the author used short chapters that made the story very easy and fast flowing. I'll be honest -- I read the book before I saw the movie, and it really caused me to be excited to see the movie!
I liked how some of the chapters would switch to the present because it provided good emotional effects for some of the situations. I would say though, that this story wouldn't necessarily be good to share with some of your younger family members since there are some war scenes in the story (in movie version anyway).
Through this story, readers are provided with the truths of how difficult it is for families to be separated for long periods of time and the dangers that our soldiers face. It also shares the difficulties the military has when they come back home after facing war and death and how it changes everyone. It makes me thank God everyday for the courage and strength of our military.
I was provided with a complimentary electronic advanced reader copy from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley in exchange for my post. I was not required to post a positive review, but have chosen to do so because this book was great! Thank you!!
I loved the progress of the story line and the raw emotion shown by the characters made this a very strong story. I appreciated how the author used short chapters that made the story very easy and fast flowing. I'll be honest -- I read the book before I saw the movie, and it really caused me to be excited to see the movie!
I liked how some of the chapters would switch to the present because it provided good emotional effects for some of the situations. I would say though, that this story wouldn't necessarily be good to share with some of your younger family members since there are some war scenes in the story (in movie version anyway).
Through this story, readers are provided with the truths of how difficult it is for families to be separated for long periods of time and the dangers that our soldiers face. It also shares the difficulties the military has when they come back home after facing war and death and how it changes everyone. It makes me thank God everyday for the courage and strength of our military.
I was provided with a complimentary electronic advanced reader copy from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley in exchange for my post. I was not required to post a positive review, but have chosen to do so because this book was great! Thank you!!
June 7, 2023
BOOK REVIEW ✝️
"Indivisible"
by Travis Thrasher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Indivisible" is based on the movie and true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his family as they face the realities of faith in the midst of war. The story documents Darren's fifteen month deployment to Iraq and how it affected him, his faith, and his family.
This book is better read after watching the movie - I HIGHLY recommend the movie! The book supplements and gives the movie more depth and context. I grew up in a military family, but still, this book was eye-opening as to the incredibly hard realities that soldiers face while deployed, all while serving our country and protecting our freedom. Wow. On top of that, it is a wonder how one still keeps their faith in the midst of such violence and loss.
This book was definitely the right book, at the right time for me. Though I will never come remotely close to experiencing similar atrocities, I could relate to some of the questions asked of God in the midst of hard times when rubber meets the road with our faith.... Are we trying to do things our way with our own strength, or are we relying on God's way? Like Darren, if we continue to trust Him even when it's so hard, God will show us that He hasn't forgotten about us, that He loves us, and that He never let us go.
It's definitely an inspiring faith read! Bonus if you are married - it represents the challenges of marriage (in the normal world and suring war) in a very realistic and fair way.
"Indivisible"
by Travis Thrasher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Indivisible" is based on the movie and true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his family as they face the realities of faith in the midst of war. The story documents Darren's fifteen month deployment to Iraq and how it affected him, his faith, and his family.
This book is better read after watching the movie - I HIGHLY recommend the movie! The book supplements and gives the movie more depth and context. I grew up in a military family, but still, this book was eye-opening as to the incredibly hard realities that soldiers face while deployed, all while serving our country and protecting our freedom. Wow. On top of that, it is a wonder how one still keeps their faith in the midst of such violence and loss.
This book was definitely the right book, at the right time for me. Though I will never come remotely close to experiencing similar atrocities, I could relate to some of the questions asked of God in the midst of hard times when rubber meets the road with our faith.... Are we trying to do things our way with our own strength, or are we relying on God's way? Like Darren, if we continue to trust Him even when it's so hard, God will show us that He hasn't forgotten about us, that He loves us, and that He never let us go.
It's definitely an inspiring faith read! Bonus if you are married - it represents the challenges of marriage (in the normal world and suring war) in a very realistic and fair way.
October 13, 2018
Indivisible takes us on one family’s journey as they decide to serve our country in the military. Darren and Heather Turner are a loving couple with three beautiful children who both feel the call to serve; Darren as a chaplain and Heather focuses on a ministry for military wives. We are walked through their decision to take this path, Darren’s orders and deployment, and the events that take place at home and abroad during their time apart.
I have always been amazed and very thankful to our soldiers and their families and for the sacrifices they make for this country. Through the Turner’s story we get a sidelines view of how difficult it is for families to be separated for long periods of time, the danger our soldiers face, and the difficulties in coming back home after facing harrowing circumstances and the losing of comrades. Everyone has been changed.
This is a book based on the movie, Indivisible, which is based on the Turner’s real life. I look forward to viewing this movie and to thank God everyday for the courage and strength our military has.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
I have always been amazed and very thankful to our soldiers and their families and for the sacrifices they make for this country. Through the Turner’s story we get a sidelines view of how difficult it is for families to be separated for long periods of time, the danger our soldiers face, and the difficulties in coming back home after facing harrowing circumstances and the losing of comrades. Everyone has been changed.
This is a book based on the movie, Indivisible, which is based on the Turner’s real life. I look forward to viewing this movie and to thank God everyday for the courage and strength our military has.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
December 7, 2018
This is a pretty emotional read which given the subject matter, I fully expected it to be. What I didn’t expect was being choked up almost immediately but I was.
Heather and Darren Turner are a wonderful couple with a young family and they both are loving, unselfish people who love the Lord and are committed to serving Him and their country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq in his capacity as a chaplain that’s when I started to get emotional because I’m reminded of how brave our military are and what a huge sacrifice they make every single day. I understand the wives and family members make sacrifices, too but reading Heather’s perspective was a real eye opener for me. I started to realize just how difficult the wives have it and the fears they face.
I loved reading their story and have a huge amount of respect for them for sharing it with us. The harsh reality of combat and how it changes lives is something that you hear of quite often but reading about it is entirely different and makes me more aware of what these families go through on a daily basis.
I didn’t see the movie but after reading the book, I would like to.. This is the first book that I’ve read by Mr. Thrasher and I’m definitely be looking for more of his work.
I received a complimentary from the publisher and was under no obligation wo write a review. All opinions are my own.
Heather and Darren Turner are a wonderful couple with a young family and they both are loving, unselfish people who love the Lord and are committed to serving Him and their country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq in his capacity as a chaplain that’s when I started to get emotional because I’m reminded of how brave our military are and what a huge sacrifice they make every single day. I understand the wives and family members make sacrifices, too but reading Heather’s perspective was a real eye opener for me. I started to realize just how difficult the wives have it and the fears they face.
I loved reading their story and have a huge amount of respect for them for sharing it with us. The harsh reality of combat and how it changes lives is something that you hear of quite often but reading about it is entirely different and makes me more aware of what these families go through on a daily basis.
I didn’t see the movie but after reading the book, I would like to.. This is the first book that I’ve read by Mr. Thrasher and I’m definitely be looking for more of his work.
I received a complimentary from the publisher and was under no obligation wo write a review. All opinions are my own.
October 14, 2018
I learned a lot of things about serving our country after reading this book. Every day men and women are shipped out to other countries to protect us from those who want to destroy our freedom. The news is full of reports of wars being fought and the loss of life in the aftermath. The book made me take a deeper look at what these men and women face on a daily basis.
I can't imagine what it would be like to know at any minute enemy fire or bombs could take my life. It can really do emotional damage living in that environment for months at a time. I never thought of a chaplain being there on the ground with the troops. After reading this book, I understand more clearly how vital that position is. I liked how the author let us walk along beside Darren as he shares the love of Jesus with the troops. He became very close to some and I'm sure there were times he wasn't sure if they were listening to him. The burden seemed overwhelming at times at Darren prayed with them and let them share their frustrations. War is not easy. It can tear you from the in side out. The scars people can't see are sometimes the most damaging. I liked reading how Darren missed his family, but at one point he seemed to distance himself from them. His duties in the service became more important and he lost his way .
Heather was someone I admired a lot. Being left with three children is hard, but add to that the worry of not knowing if your husband is coming home safely wears on you. I thought she took on a lot of responsibilities and perhaps put to much on herself. Maybe she felt she needed to do her part at home as the Chaplain's wife. She held wives hands as they received devastating news, became their confidant when they needed someone to talk to and devoted her time to sending care packages overseas to the troops.
I can see how their marriage was hanging on by a thread and liked how the author took us through their journey back to each other. Darren's journal was a window into his soul for me. He felt that he needed to be strong for everyone, but in that journal he exposed his hurts, doubts and fears. I enjoyed the story and found it to be intense at times as well as hopeful. I will be looking forward to seeing the movie when it is released.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I can't imagine what it would be like to know at any minute enemy fire or bombs could take my life. It can really do emotional damage living in that environment for months at a time. I never thought of a chaplain being there on the ground with the troops. After reading this book, I understand more clearly how vital that position is. I liked how the author let us walk along beside Darren as he shares the love of Jesus with the troops. He became very close to some and I'm sure there were times he wasn't sure if they were listening to him. The burden seemed overwhelming at times at Darren prayed with them and let them share their frustrations. War is not easy. It can tear you from the in side out. The scars people can't see are sometimes the most damaging. I liked reading how Darren missed his family, but at one point he seemed to distance himself from them. His duties in the service became more important and he lost his way .
Heather was someone I admired a lot. Being left with three children is hard, but add to that the worry of not knowing if your husband is coming home safely wears on you. I thought she took on a lot of responsibilities and perhaps put to much on herself. Maybe she felt she needed to do her part at home as the Chaplain's wife. She held wives hands as they received devastating news, became their confidant when they needed someone to talk to and devoted her time to sending care packages overseas to the troops.
I can see how their marriage was hanging on by a thread and liked how the author took us through their journey back to each other. Darren's journal was a window into his soul for me. He felt that he needed to be strong for everyone, but in that journal he exposed his hurts, doubts and fears. I enjoyed the story and found it to be intense at times as well as hopeful. I will be looking forward to seeing the movie when it is released.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
December 27, 2018
"I'm flying back home a wounded man. I didn't lose a limb and I didn't lose my life. I have no scars anyone can see. But I carry bags and bags of hurt and sorrow."
Darren Turner's calling to the military was for a specific purpose; to serve God and country as an army chaplain. He left behind a beautiful wife and three young children for an eighteen month deployment in Afghanistan. Confident that he was in the center of God's will, the weight of responsibility for those coming on and off the battlefield was a duty that he gratefully embraced; until he came home.
Heather Turner laments, "God, is he ever going to show back up?"
A moving story; depicting the realities of war, not only on foreign fronts, but on the home fronts that they leave behind. It is also a story filled with hope, for the mighty armor of God is a powerful piece of equipment.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Darren Turner's calling to the military was for a specific purpose; to serve God and country as an army chaplain. He left behind a beautiful wife and three young children for an eighteen month deployment in Afghanistan. Confident that he was in the center of God's will, the weight of responsibility for those coming on and off the battlefield was a duty that he gratefully embraced; until he came home.
Heather Turner laments, "God, is he ever going to show back up?"
A moving story; depicting the realities of war, not only on foreign fronts, but on the home fronts that they leave behind. It is also a story filled with hope, for the mighty armor of God is a powerful piece of equipment.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
October 5, 2018
Have your tissues close by because this story is full of emotion. Darren and Heather appear to be that couple that everyone wants to be. Loving, loyal, followers of Christ, and like they have it together. Nothing, not even war could tear them apart. But what you see as you read through the book is not just how war changed them as a couple, but how it changed them as individual people. I don't have family member in the military right now, so I've never experienced first hand what war can do to a person. It was so heartbreaking to read what Darren went through, what he witnessed, and how it changed him completely. Thrasher paints a vivid picture (not graphic in any way) of the war scene. What's amazing to me is the response different soldiers have to Christ during the most difficult time in their life. There was one character in particular (I won't give it away!) that just kept brushing it off. I was actually worried at one point, but then you see the power of the Holy Spirit just slowly work on his heart. It really gave me hope for some people in my life right now that keep brushing the Lord to the side. While they may not be in an earthly war right now, they certainly are suffering through an internal war, one that I hope the Holy Spirit will continue to work on their hearts over.
The thing I loved most about this book was seeing Heather's perspective. Quite often when we thinking about war, we think about the impact it has on the soldiers. Heather reminds us, as does Darren, that war affects so many people, especially the families back home. I could not imagine being a wife to someone who comes home one day a completely different person. I wouldn't know how to react or respond. How do you live your daily life taking care of your children alone, and not feel the slightest bit resentment? Heather's story really opened up my eyes to this fact, and makes me wish I could do something. The power that this little story has is amazing, and I imagine if it has touched my heart this much, then it will touch many others as well.
This poignant story is one that will stay with me forever. And while I cannot wait to see the movie, I am almost nervous about it after reading the book. I know I'll cry, but most important I'm not sure how the big screen is going to be able to connect with me in the way that the book did by seeing the internal thoughts of Darren and Heather. I highly recommend reading the book first - perhaps that is the reader in me speaking. It will touch your heart and speak to your soul. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The thing I loved most about this book was seeing Heather's perspective. Quite often when we thinking about war, we think about the impact it has on the soldiers. Heather reminds us, as does Darren, that war affects so many people, especially the families back home. I could not imagine being a wife to someone who comes home one day a completely different person. I wouldn't know how to react or respond. How do you live your daily life taking care of your children alone, and not feel the slightest bit resentment? Heather's story really opened up my eyes to this fact, and makes me wish I could do something. The power that this little story has is amazing, and I imagine if it has touched my heart this much, then it will touch many others as well.
This poignant story is one that will stay with me forever. And while I cannot wait to see the movie, I am almost nervous about it after reading the book. I know I'll cry, but most important I'm not sure how the big screen is going to be able to connect with me in the way that the book did by seeing the internal thoughts of Darren and Heather. I highly recommend reading the book first - perhaps that is the reader in me speaking. It will touch your heart and speak to your soul. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 13, 2018
I can honestly say I don’t know what category this book would fall in, I haven’t read anything truly like it before. It was heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time. The struggles our characters face are realistic to the bone. The emotions they feel will leave you feeling the same. Some moments I was tired emotionally from a chapter, others lifted me up and gave me hope.
Heather and Darren make this story come to life. Seriously, I was blown away by how real these characters felt to me. It wasn’t just on the pages but in my mind. I easily saw it playing out. I felt for Heather in so many moments, as a single mom of one I couldn’t imagine having to take care of three mainly on my own. Heather faces struggles and fears that no parent wants to face. Darren however, was not only facing terror but darkness he could never imagine. At one point in therapy Darren mentions how he can’t recall when Heather and him first met because the bad thoughts attack. This hit what I think many with PTSD and war wounds feel, that sometimes the light is too far out of reach. This book though isn’t dark moments but hope and coming back to the light.
I think that this is an impactful Christian Fiction novel. It will touch everyone who reads it in different ways. But I feel confident in saying that everyone who reads this book would be recommending it and sharing it with those around them. It isn’t an easy read, but the best books aren’t. The best books make you feel, think, and explore the storyline beyond just the pages.
February 27, 2025
I enjoyed this book but I liked it as a movie. I liked it because in spite of it being a Christian inspiration book, it didn’t hit the reader over the head as much as other books would have. Plus it’s a true story. A real military family dealing with real life experiences that a military family would face, not seen often in a Christian book. I’d recommend it.
November 11, 2019
Wow, what a book. An eye opening account of what soldiers went through in Iraq. It really does show the impact not only on the soldier, but also the families. Highly recommended
October 5, 2018
Indivisible by author Travis Thrasher is based on a true story and truly powerful. It was based on the field by David Evans, which I have not seen yet. The 336 page book by Barbour Publishing took me through a plethora of emotions as I read nonstop. It captured me early and I willing stayed until the end.
Opening the book is a forward stating this book is dedicated to the chaplains of the US Armed Forces and soldiers who valiantly serve to protect our freedom. Amen. Where would any of us be without them? Indivisible broaches many relevant topics and issues that our servicemen and their families face. After reading it, I had a little better understanding of the trials and trauma facing them. However, I said “little” because I cannot imagine going through the ordeal myself.
This is a God glorifying tale of husband and wife, Darren and Heather Turner. He is a Chaplain. Their relationship and marriage is definitely strained and changed by his deployment. How could anyone go overseas and come back the same person? PTSD is discussed. Yes, it is real and terrible. Spouses left behind, trying to support one another while raising children alone and feeling neglected is another topic. That really made me think. How many times would I have missed my husband had he been gone? Every single one. Indivisible does a good job showing the left at home spouse’s side, too.
My emotions were raw by the time I finished this book. The author did an exemplary job writing this. I highly recommend this book. If you have someone in service this may touch a little close to home, but it is wonderful. A worthy read that is so hard to put down. My mind keeps revisiting it even though ai finished the book days ago. Definitely a 5 out of 5 star book. I received copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my own, honest review.
Opening the book is a forward stating this book is dedicated to the chaplains of the US Armed Forces and soldiers who valiantly serve to protect our freedom. Amen. Where would any of us be without them? Indivisible broaches many relevant topics and issues that our servicemen and their families face. After reading it, I had a little better understanding of the trials and trauma facing them. However, I said “little” because I cannot imagine going through the ordeal myself.
This is a God glorifying tale of husband and wife, Darren and Heather Turner. He is a Chaplain. Their relationship and marriage is definitely strained and changed by his deployment. How could anyone go overseas and come back the same person? PTSD is discussed. Yes, it is real and terrible. Spouses left behind, trying to support one another while raising children alone and feeling neglected is another topic. That really made me think. How many times would I have missed my husband had he been gone? Every single one. Indivisible does a good job showing the left at home spouse’s side, too.
My emotions were raw by the time I finished this book. The author did an exemplary job writing this. I highly recommend this book. If you have someone in service this may touch a little close to home, but it is wonderful. A worthy read that is so hard to put down. My mind keeps revisiting it even though ai finished the book days ago. Definitely a 5 out of 5 star book. I received copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my own, honest review.
November 29, 2018
Clean; Christian faith and Inspirational read
Darren and Heather's story of faith and family as they struggle with separation during a military deployment, and Darren's return after as he tries to reconcile his deployment and come back to his 'life' in Christ, and with his loved ones as he struggles is heartfelt, real, poignant, and of course faith promoting. Definitely a tissue read at the end. The reality of the terrors, hurts, and fear during the deployment, the dangers and the struggles while supporting others in their weakness and fear was so beautifully told. Real, ragged, hurting and hopeful in the midst of the terror, and a beautiful heartfelt emotional ending. Here is to hope in the face of death, reality, and terror, along with the glory of living and loyalty and love in the face of trials and trouble. Glorious beautiful read for anyone who has Christian faith. Strong, struggling characters, struggling and working to do their best, fight the good fight. Beautiful, honest, real supporting characters in their friends and comrades. Setting and backstory was so beautifully, and realistically portrayed.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
Darren and Heather's story of faith and family as they struggle with separation during a military deployment, and Darren's return after as he tries to reconcile his deployment and come back to his 'life' in Christ, and with his loved ones as he struggles is heartfelt, real, poignant, and of course faith promoting. Definitely a tissue read at the end. The reality of the terrors, hurts, and fear during the deployment, the dangers and the struggles while supporting others in their weakness and fear was so beautifully told. Real, ragged, hurting and hopeful in the midst of the terror, and a beautiful heartfelt emotional ending. Here is to hope in the face of death, reality, and terror, along with the glory of living and loyalty and love in the face of trials and trouble. Glorious beautiful read for anyone who has Christian faith. Strong, struggling characters, struggling and working to do their best, fight the good fight. Beautiful, honest, real supporting characters in their friends and comrades. Setting and backstory was so beautifully, and realistically portrayed.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
February 19, 2019
Inspired by a true story, Indivisible tells the story of Army chaplain Darren Turner, whose deployment in Iraq ends up challenging the foundation of his marriage to wife Heather. Based on the original screenplay by David Evans, this book features a foreword from the real Darren & Heather Turner, where Darren says that while the film has taken creative license in parts (to be expected), much of what made it to screen is a pretty accurate portrayal of their story.
In May of 2007, Darren Turner is sent to Iraq to serve as chaplain to the troops there. While he does his best to provide comfort to soldiers emotionally struggling, he comes to find he has his own struggle with inner dark thoughts. It begins to wear him down as he tries to find balance between duty to his job and his family back home.
Back home, wife Heather notices a decrease in communications on Darren's end. She tries to be patient, but it's hard when she has her own tough and lonely journey as a military wife and really just wants a spouse she can have some bonding time with. When Darren does make it back home, his overall demeanor is noticeably different. Pretty quickly, life for the two becomes a fight to save their marriage.
On the surface, that sounds like a pretty touching story, as long as the reader can hope for a happy ending, right? Judging from the high praise of this work, it seems to have hit the mark just fine for many. Me, not so much. For reasons I'll get into in a minute, I came not to be all that impressed with Darren, at least how he comes off in this book.
Right from the foreword, I was a little bothered that it's titled as being from both Darren and Heather, but Heather is not given her own space to share her own perspective. We only get things from Darren's point of view. Read past that and into the novelization itself, and Darren still gets top billing. The story's actually not as much of a Team Turner production as it's advertised to be. In fact, this thing read like one big humble brag on Darren's end. Perhaps the onus of that lies on the shoulders of Travis Thrasher's fictionalization of Darren's story, but I have to think Darren had some say and must have okay'd how he was portrayed here.... and come to think of it, why wasn't this just done as a nonfiction account to begin with?!
Darren's characterization in general here was a large part of the problem for me. The underlying sexism that was hinted at in the foreword ("I am the man, I speak for both of us" attitude) shows its face even in the novel, when Darren is shocked to find that Sergeant Peterson is A WOMAN?! *Insert Scooby-Doo noise*
A few other scenes I found bothersome:
* Friends throw Darren a going away party after he shares news of his upcoming deployment. As party guests are leaving, he gives everyone a long letter, the contents of which are shared in the novel. This letter basically amounts to more humble brag, scattered with "don't grieve for me", "just what I was called to do" and other unnecessary martyr-ish nonsense sentiments that scream of fake humility. If you want to get that stuff off your chest, just say a little something at the party real quick. The whole letter thing was definitely an ego stroke for him. It just read too over the top to me.
* There's another part of the story that describes the time when Darren is still overseas and his communications to his wife start to drop off. She's sending him multiple emails begging from a word from him. He's hanging out at the base, it would be easy enough to shoot her a quick line and say, "Hey, just really busy but yeah, I'm good. Miss you." It's even mentioned that one of his CO's sees his email page open and mentions that Darren should let his wife know he's okay. Darren's response is basically, "Yeah, I know but meh, I'm busy." IT'S YOUR WIFE. YOU ARE IN A WAR ZONE. If you have the time and the ability, TELL HER YOU'RE OKAY. OMG. He also ends up forgetting their anniversary. When he does finally call her, what does he say? "Oh hey babe, can you start putting together Christmas stockings for the troops here?" When she asks how many he's thinking exactly he casually says, "Give or take a thousand." A THOUSAND. For a woman already swamped with raising three kids by herself for over a year. Yeah, cool. Not insensitive or selfish to ask this of your depressed, stressed out wife at all.
SIDENOTE
Now don't hate on me btw, I was all for the idea of sending gifts to the troops. My beef is just with the way he dropped that on her like that after all that radio silence and then forgetting her anniversary. I'm just saying it definitely read like a man who doesn't see that he is most definitely taking the blessing of a loyal spouse for granted. Which is a HUGE peeve of mine. Like a solid life partner can be found just any old place. No! You gotta honor that gold! On the other hand though, Heather is also insanely quick to forgive Darren's lousy treatment of her, which I was also bothered by... having a successful traditional marriage setup does not require that one person be an emotional doormat, but it seems to be a dang trend these days!
*The portion of the story where Darren comes back home and he and Heather try to find their new normal and work out their differences... that all felt very rushed. Again, Heather is quick with forgiving Darren before he quite deserves it, and he has one unbelievably cruel scene where he dares to ask what her contribution was while he was out serving the country. That sealed it for me. After that, I was done with anything he had to say.
*Darren didn't strike me as all that great a pastor. I can't get behind someone who, when faced with someone grieving, questioning the existence of a loving God in the face of such horrors as those that come out in times of war, responds with an attitude of Well, if you won't immediately accept what I'm saying as correct, then you clearly are not listening and I have nothing else to say to you right now.
The problems continue. The dialogue between characters reads like a low budget tv movie. While I was reading, I could actually almost hear the sappy music drifting behind several of these scenes. The reader is also practically beaten over the head with the level of evangelism soaked into the text. Not really my cuppa. Then there was the subtle but definitely present biased military-themed propaganda, the whole "we're the good guys, THEY'RE evil". Yet again, here's a story making unfair blanket statements towards an entire group of people -- in this case, Muslims -- blaming the many not full of hate, just trying to quietly live their lives, for the sins of the minority group of extremists.
Darren's character is disturbingly flippant in his letters back home, "Things are going good, we are killing lots of bad guys!" I understand not wanting your family back home to worry, but maybe have a moment, a pause, of solemn acknowledgement for the tragic, horrible vacuum a war zone creates for families, on all sides of the equation. Maybe remind yourself that no one is really winning in this scenario. Maybe, just maybe don't go in with the attitude of a new age megachurch pastor on the first day of summer bible school. Reality hits Darren just pages after this scene, as he witnesses a young Iraqi girl struck by stray gunfire brought into the base for treatment. Watching her slowly die, he thinks of how close in age the girl is to one of his own daughters. Why does it so often take the death of someone for people to see others of a different race from your own are -- wild I know! -- in fact, people too. That the good guy / bad guy isn't always as clear as your narrow, sheltered viewpoint would have you believe.
I have not yet seen the film this novelization was based off of, but honestly... just reading this book, I'm disappointed this was published at all.
FTC Disclaimer: TNZ Fiction Guild kindly provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.
In May of 2007, Darren Turner is sent to Iraq to serve as chaplain to the troops there. While he does his best to provide comfort to soldiers emotionally struggling, he comes to find he has his own struggle with inner dark thoughts. It begins to wear him down as he tries to find balance between duty to his job and his family back home.
Back home, wife Heather notices a decrease in communications on Darren's end. She tries to be patient, but it's hard when she has her own tough and lonely journey as a military wife and really just wants a spouse she can have some bonding time with. When Darren does make it back home, his overall demeanor is noticeably different. Pretty quickly, life for the two becomes a fight to save their marriage.
On the surface, that sounds like a pretty touching story, as long as the reader can hope for a happy ending, right? Judging from the high praise of this work, it seems to have hit the mark just fine for many. Me, not so much. For reasons I'll get into in a minute, I came not to be all that impressed with Darren, at least how he comes off in this book.
Right from the foreword, I was a little bothered that it's titled as being from both Darren and Heather, but Heather is not given her own space to share her own perspective. We only get things from Darren's point of view. Read past that and into the novelization itself, and Darren still gets top billing. The story's actually not as much of a Team Turner production as it's advertised to be. In fact, this thing read like one big humble brag on Darren's end. Perhaps the onus of that lies on the shoulders of Travis Thrasher's fictionalization of Darren's story, but I have to think Darren had some say and must have okay'd how he was portrayed here.... and come to think of it, why wasn't this just done as a nonfiction account to begin with?!
Darren's characterization in general here was a large part of the problem for me. The underlying sexism that was hinted at in the foreword ("I am the man, I speak for both of us" attitude) shows its face even in the novel, when Darren is shocked to find that Sergeant Peterson is A WOMAN?! *Insert Scooby-Doo noise*
A few other scenes I found bothersome:
* Friends throw Darren a going away party after he shares news of his upcoming deployment. As party guests are leaving, he gives everyone a long letter, the contents of which are shared in the novel. This letter basically amounts to more humble brag, scattered with "don't grieve for me", "just what I was called to do" and other unnecessary martyr-ish nonsense sentiments that scream of fake humility. If you want to get that stuff off your chest, just say a little something at the party real quick. The whole letter thing was definitely an ego stroke for him. It just read too over the top to me.
* There's another part of the story that describes the time when Darren is still overseas and his communications to his wife start to drop off. She's sending him multiple emails begging from a word from him. He's hanging out at the base, it would be easy enough to shoot her a quick line and say, "Hey, just really busy but yeah, I'm good. Miss you." It's even mentioned that one of his CO's sees his email page open and mentions that Darren should let his wife know he's okay. Darren's response is basically, "Yeah, I know but meh, I'm busy." IT'S YOUR WIFE. YOU ARE IN A WAR ZONE. If you have the time and the ability, TELL HER YOU'RE OKAY. OMG. He also ends up forgetting their anniversary. When he does finally call her, what does he say? "Oh hey babe, can you start putting together Christmas stockings for the troops here?" When she asks how many he's thinking exactly he casually says, "Give or take a thousand." A THOUSAND. For a woman already swamped with raising three kids by herself for over a year. Yeah, cool. Not insensitive or selfish to ask this of your depressed, stressed out wife at all.
SIDENOTE
Now don't hate on me btw, I was all for the idea of sending gifts to the troops. My beef is just with the way he dropped that on her like that after all that radio silence and then forgetting her anniversary. I'm just saying it definitely read like a man who doesn't see that he is most definitely taking the blessing of a loyal spouse for granted. Which is a HUGE peeve of mine. Like a solid life partner can be found just any old place. No! You gotta honor that gold! On the other hand though, Heather is also insanely quick to forgive Darren's lousy treatment of her, which I was also bothered by... having a successful traditional marriage setup does not require that one person be an emotional doormat, but it seems to be a dang trend these days!
*The portion of the story where Darren comes back home and he and Heather try to find their new normal and work out their differences... that all felt very rushed. Again, Heather is quick with forgiving Darren before he quite deserves it, and he has one unbelievably cruel scene where he dares to ask what her contribution was while he was out serving the country. That sealed it for me. After that, I was done with anything he had to say.
*Darren didn't strike me as all that great a pastor. I can't get behind someone who, when faced with someone grieving, questioning the existence of a loving God in the face of such horrors as those that come out in times of war, responds with an attitude of Well, if you won't immediately accept what I'm saying as correct, then you clearly are not listening and I have nothing else to say to you right now.
The problems continue. The dialogue between characters reads like a low budget tv movie. While I was reading, I could actually almost hear the sappy music drifting behind several of these scenes. The reader is also practically beaten over the head with the level of evangelism soaked into the text. Not really my cuppa. Then there was the subtle but definitely present biased military-themed propaganda, the whole "we're the good guys, THEY'RE evil". Yet again, here's a story making unfair blanket statements towards an entire group of people -- in this case, Muslims -- blaming the many not full of hate, just trying to quietly live their lives, for the sins of the minority group of extremists.
Darren's character is disturbingly flippant in his letters back home, "Things are going good, we are killing lots of bad guys!" I understand not wanting your family back home to worry, but maybe have a moment, a pause, of solemn acknowledgement for the tragic, horrible vacuum a war zone creates for families, on all sides of the equation. Maybe remind yourself that no one is really winning in this scenario. Maybe, just maybe don't go in with the attitude of a new age megachurch pastor on the first day of summer bible school. Reality hits Darren just pages after this scene, as he witnesses a young Iraqi girl struck by stray gunfire brought into the base for treatment. Watching her slowly die, he thinks of how close in age the girl is to one of his own daughters. Why does it so often take the death of someone for people to see others of a different race from your own are -- wild I know! -- in fact, people too. That the good guy / bad guy isn't always as clear as your narrow, sheltered viewpoint would have you believe.
I have not yet seen the film this novelization was based off of, but honestly... just reading this book, I'm disappointed this was published at all.
FTC Disclaimer: TNZ Fiction Guild kindly provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.
January 26, 2019
I wanted SOOO badly to see the movie, Indivisible, since I am a HUGE fan of the Kendrick brothers' productions. However, my schedule just didn't allow it. So when I saw this novelization of the film, which is based on the actual experiences of a military couple involved with the U.S. deployment to Iraq, you bet I jumped at the chance to check it out.
This book is so INTENSE! We have had several family members who served in the Middle East, many of whom came back deeply affected. Some still deal with PTSD. Now I can see why they had such a tough time and why it's been hard for them to talk about their experiences. It makes me really proud of the ones who stayed together and made their marriages work after experiencing such a test of their faith and character.
The author did a great job of interweaving the struggles of both Chaplain Darren Turner and his wife, Heather, following the timeline of Darren's 15 months of service in Iraq during 2007-2008. He also did a fantastic job of getting you into Darren's head and heart without traumatizing his readers in the process. Although I am sure Chaplain Turner got close to a lot more soldiers while he was deployed, Travis Thrasher masterfully focused on three that were each affected in a different way by his ministry and whose fates profoundly impacted the army chaplain. It was hard to put the book down, because I really wanted to know what was going to happen to this couple and how God was going to help them put their lives back together.
If for no other reason, I think everyone should read this book so that they understand why our men and women in uniform are coming home so exhausted and emotionally bound up. It will also help you know how to pray for them and their families and how to help them when they get back. I can't say whether it would be helpful for a veteran to read, but it may help their spouses understand their behavior. It might be good for military couples to read BEFORE they're deployed, just to get a sense of what they'll be up against and how to guard their hearts and minds. I am so grateful that Darren and Heather Turner were willing to allow this book and the movie give us a glimpse into their sacrifices and struggles.
I still plan to see the movie--in fact, I'll probably end up buying a copy. But I am glad I read the book, so I can benefit even more from the film. God is such an amazing healer! It's thrilling to see His hand at work through this powerful book and film.
This book is so INTENSE! We have had several family members who served in the Middle East, many of whom came back deeply affected. Some still deal with PTSD. Now I can see why they had such a tough time and why it's been hard for them to talk about their experiences. It makes me really proud of the ones who stayed together and made their marriages work after experiencing such a test of their faith and character.
The author did a great job of interweaving the struggles of both Chaplain Darren Turner and his wife, Heather, following the timeline of Darren's 15 months of service in Iraq during 2007-2008. He also did a fantastic job of getting you into Darren's head and heart without traumatizing his readers in the process. Although I am sure Chaplain Turner got close to a lot more soldiers while he was deployed, Travis Thrasher masterfully focused on three that were each affected in a different way by his ministry and whose fates profoundly impacted the army chaplain. It was hard to put the book down, because I really wanted to know what was going to happen to this couple and how God was going to help them put their lives back together.
If for no other reason, I think everyone should read this book so that they understand why our men and women in uniform are coming home so exhausted and emotionally bound up. It will also help you know how to pray for them and their families and how to help them when they get back. I can't say whether it would be helpful for a veteran to read, but it may help their spouses understand their behavior. It might be good for military couples to read BEFORE they're deployed, just to get a sense of what they'll be up against and how to guard their hearts and minds. I am so grateful that Darren and Heather Turner were willing to allow this book and the movie give us a glimpse into their sacrifices and struggles.
I still plan to see the movie--in fact, I'll probably end up buying a copy. But I am glad I read the book, so I can benefit even more from the film. God is such an amazing healer! It's thrilling to see His hand at work through this powerful book and film.
October 17, 2018
Reviewed at The Power of Words: https://bit.ly/2OGCUA0
I’m flying back home a wounded man. I didn’t lose a limb and didn’t lose my life. I have no scars anybody can see. But I carry bags and bags of hurt and sorrow. I don’t know where I’m going to be able to store them.
- Darren
Often the life experiences of real people make the most moving stories, and that is certainly the case with Darren and Heather. Indivisible is a story that is powerful, thought provoking, compelling, and inspirational. Travis Thrasher has done a wonderful job creating a novelization from the screenplay in such a way that both versions stand strong.
Darren and Heather loved God, loved each other, and believed the way they chose to serve was God’s calling. Darren “wanted to bring faith and confidence in Christ into a place of war,” while Heather became sole caregiver to their three children and ministered to military wives and families. I thought these words spoken to Darren were so true: “Deployments strengthen strong marriages and weaken weak ones.” Both Darren and Heather had a difficult physical and emotional journey during his 15-month deployment, but neither could fully comprehend the impact of that life on the other.
I have found that there are two options to mental survival over here: one is to constantly be on edge because, really, at any moment there could be some sort of attack and people could die. The other is to go numb to the threat and live as normally as possible.
- Darren
Thrasher realistically conveys the physical and emotional impact of the war, both on the front and at home, and shows the bonds of friendship through secondary characters. Darren’s journal entries are eye opening.
Indivisible is, at its heart, a story of commitment, hope, and love. Darren and Heather face struggles that all can relate to, in having a strong love and faith tested through life’s hardships and tragedies. This promises to be a powerful movie that I’m eager to see.
Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I’m flying back home a wounded man. I didn’t lose a limb and didn’t lose my life. I have no scars anybody can see. But I carry bags and bags of hurt and sorrow. I don’t know where I’m going to be able to store them.
- Darren
Often the life experiences of real people make the most moving stories, and that is certainly the case with Darren and Heather. Indivisible is a story that is powerful, thought provoking, compelling, and inspirational. Travis Thrasher has done a wonderful job creating a novelization from the screenplay in such a way that both versions stand strong.
Darren and Heather loved God, loved each other, and believed the way they chose to serve was God’s calling. Darren “wanted to bring faith and confidence in Christ into a place of war,” while Heather became sole caregiver to their three children and ministered to military wives and families. I thought these words spoken to Darren were so true: “Deployments strengthen strong marriages and weaken weak ones.” Both Darren and Heather had a difficult physical and emotional journey during his 15-month deployment, but neither could fully comprehend the impact of that life on the other.
I have found that there are two options to mental survival over here: one is to constantly be on edge because, really, at any moment there could be some sort of attack and people could die. The other is to go numb to the threat and live as normally as possible.
- Darren
Thrasher realistically conveys the physical and emotional impact of the war, both on the front and at home, and shows the bonds of friendship through secondary characters. Darren’s journal entries are eye opening.
Indivisible is, at its heart, a story of commitment, hope, and love. Darren and Heather face struggles that all can relate to, in having a strong love and faith tested through life’s hardships and tragedies. This promises to be a powerful movie that I’m eager to see.
Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
January 15, 2019
** “God rarely rescues us out of the trouble, but promises to be with us in it. Through the pain and loss. God can be found by those who choose to look for Him.” **
“Indivisible” is a novelization by author Travis Thrasher of David G. Evans’ motion picture, which tells the real-life story of military couple Darren and Heather Turner.
The Turners, parents of three children, are deeply in love and supportive of each other. When Darren decides to become a military chaplain, he is immediately sent to Iraq for a 15-month deployment with an infantry battalion.
As Darren and Heather each fight their own battles — him in the war zone, her at home — they begin to develop relationships. Darren grows close to several soldiers, helping guide them through the intensity of war and overcoming losses, and revealing to them the love and protection of God. And with Heather’s involvement with the unit’s Response Team, she meets several fellow wives and must be the love and comfort of God to women who lose their husbands.
But as they strengthen relationships with others, they find their own relationship struggling, especially after Darren’s return. As he struggles to reintegrate into “normal” life after dealing with the horrors of war, he pushes Heather and the children further and further away.
“Indivisible” is a story of heartache, homesickness and frustration, and the redemptive power of God to overcome these struggles. As the Turners work to rebuild their relationship, their story reminds us to constantly choose joy, no matter how difficult it may be. It also reminds us to always turn to God and his protective armor.
When approached by filmmakers David and Esther Evans, the Turners decided to allow their story to be told for two reasons: so that people will learn to be honest with themselves, others and the Lord; and that nonmilitary Americans will grow to understand what veterans and their families battle, and to get involved in their lives. They also hoped to show the world the redemptive power of God and His love.
“Indivisible” will definitely challenge you — to appreciate the life you have and the people that are in your life; to appreciate what military members go through when deployed, and how difficult it is for them to reintegrate into “normal” life; and to appreciate what their family members sacrifice, and that they may not always get their happy family life back when their loved one returns home. May we never take our military members for granted.
Told in three parts beginning in 2007 (Predeployment, Deployment and Reintegration), “Indivisible” bounces back and forth between what’s going on with Darren, and Heather’s life at home. Darren’s story is often told through letter form, as he keeps several forms of journals to record his experience. Because it is a novelization of a motion picture, at times the writing is a bit choppy, almost as if reading a screenplay. But overall, it is written very well. You almost wouldn’t realize it wasn’t a fiction novel to begin with.
This is a lovely, inspirational story, which has been very well adapted from a film’s screenplay.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
“Indivisible” is a novelization by author Travis Thrasher of David G. Evans’ motion picture, which tells the real-life story of military couple Darren and Heather Turner.
The Turners, parents of three children, are deeply in love and supportive of each other. When Darren decides to become a military chaplain, he is immediately sent to Iraq for a 15-month deployment with an infantry battalion.
As Darren and Heather each fight their own battles — him in the war zone, her at home — they begin to develop relationships. Darren grows close to several soldiers, helping guide them through the intensity of war and overcoming losses, and revealing to them the love and protection of God. And with Heather’s involvement with the unit’s Response Team, she meets several fellow wives and must be the love and comfort of God to women who lose their husbands.
But as they strengthen relationships with others, they find their own relationship struggling, especially after Darren’s return. As he struggles to reintegrate into “normal” life after dealing with the horrors of war, he pushes Heather and the children further and further away.
“Indivisible” is a story of heartache, homesickness and frustration, and the redemptive power of God to overcome these struggles. As the Turners work to rebuild their relationship, their story reminds us to constantly choose joy, no matter how difficult it may be. It also reminds us to always turn to God and his protective armor.
When approached by filmmakers David and Esther Evans, the Turners decided to allow their story to be told for two reasons: so that people will learn to be honest with themselves, others and the Lord; and that nonmilitary Americans will grow to understand what veterans and their families battle, and to get involved in their lives. They also hoped to show the world the redemptive power of God and His love.
“Indivisible” will definitely challenge you — to appreciate the life you have and the people that are in your life; to appreciate what military members go through when deployed, and how difficult it is for them to reintegrate into “normal” life; and to appreciate what their family members sacrifice, and that they may not always get their happy family life back when their loved one returns home. May we never take our military members for granted.
Told in three parts beginning in 2007 (Predeployment, Deployment and Reintegration), “Indivisible” bounces back and forth between what’s going on with Darren, and Heather’s life at home. Darren’s story is often told through letter form, as he keeps several forms of journals to record his experience. Because it is a novelization of a motion picture, at times the writing is a bit choppy, almost as if reading a screenplay. But overall, it is written very well. You almost wouldn’t realize it wasn’t a fiction novel to begin with.
This is a lovely, inspirational story, which has been very well adapted from a film’s screenplay.
Five stars out of five.
Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
November 26, 2018
One Marriage, One Family Under God
This book is the novelization of a movie and is based on true events. Darren and Heather Turner, a couple committed to God and country and each other, but when life throws them a curve ball they are a little unprepared to handle it.
Darren is a Army Chaplain and sent to Iraq for 15 months. Heather holds down the fort at home and gets involved with support groups etc. for army wives, especially the group that provides support after a wife receives news of the death of her husband. All this is done while living on pins and needles, always wondering when the knock will happen at your door that rips your life apart.
So while I'm not a proponent of war, the substance of this book is very, very good. Regardless, we are in a spiritual war where Satan is waiting to trip us up and destroy us and our families. And in this book, he was using the scars and the battle wounds worn internally on Darren to do it. And he nearly succeeds, but not quite. And that is all the spoilers I want to give there except to say that it required vulnerability and trust on Darren's part to work through the internal wounding he had experienced.
One of the amazing things in this book is when Darren's children all of a sudden run to their bedroom to pray for their dad and that was the time when Darren's convoy was in trouble. What a great God we serve.
"My family and I - we've made a promise to each other to protect ourselves from anything the might try to divide us. We've learned the best way for us to do that is to pout on the Armor of God and to seek to honor Him in all that we do. And we want to invite our brothers and sisters here and abroad to do the same."
One thing I do want to say is that the book is a bit challenging to read in a way. I did have an early copy where there were still corrections to be made, but this didn't seem like something that would be corrected. And that was the way the book went back and forth between present and past tense. One part of the book would say like "Darren sat down and thought about...." and the next part would say "Darren walks over to the young man" etc. While it is fine, I found it just a bit distracting to the overall ease of reading.
However, for the overall theme of the book: redemption, second chances, God's grace, etc. I would recommend it and I will definitely be interested in watching the movie as well. Along with that there is also a nonfiction book called Indivisible:One Marriage Under God by Robert Noland. This is a devotional for couples also based off the movie and the life of Darren and Heather Turner.
This is a Thomas Nelson book that I received through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.
This book is the novelization of a movie and is based on true events. Darren and Heather Turner, a couple committed to God and country and each other, but when life throws them a curve ball they are a little unprepared to handle it.
Darren is a Army Chaplain and sent to Iraq for 15 months. Heather holds down the fort at home and gets involved with support groups etc. for army wives, especially the group that provides support after a wife receives news of the death of her husband. All this is done while living on pins and needles, always wondering when the knock will happen at your door that rips your life apart.
So while I'm not a proponent of war, the substance of this book is very, very good. Regardless, we are in a spiritual war where Satan is waiting to trip us up and destroy us and our families. And in this book, he was using the scars and the battle wounds worn internally on Darren to do it. And he nearly succeeds, but not quite. And that is all the spoilers I want to give there except to say that it required vulnerability and trust on Darren's part to work through the internal wounding he had experienced.
One of the amazing things in this book is when Darren's children all of a sudden run to their bedroom to pray for their dad and that was the time when Darren's convoy was in trouble. What a great God we serve.
"My family and I - we've made a promise to each other to protect ourselves from anything the might try to divide us. We've learned the best way for us to do that is to pout on the Armor of God and to seek to honor Him in all that we do. And we want to invite our brothers and sisters here and abroad to do the same."
One thing I do want to say is that the book is a bit challenging to read in a way. I did have an early copy where there were still corrections to be made, but this didn't seem like something that would be corrected. And that was the way the book went back and forth between present and past tense. One part of the book would say like "Darren sat down and thought about...." and the next part would say "Darren walks over to the young man" etc. While it is fine, I found it just a bit distracting to the overall ease of reading.
However, for the overall theme of the book: redemption, second chances, God's grace, etc. I would recommend it and I will definitely be interested in watching the movie as well. Along with that there is also a nonfiction book called Indivisible:One Marriage Under God by Robert Noland. This is a devotional for couples also based off the movie and the life of Darren and Heather Turner.
This is a Thomas Nelson book that I received through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.
January 8, 2019
Often war movies are focused around a “famous” battle or event, such is the case with Dunkirk and Hacksaw Ridge, or full of blood and gore. However, refreshingly, that is not the case with Indivisible. Rarely are readers, or viewers, exposed to the battles soldiers are facing within.
Darren Turner is a Chaplain in the U.S. Army. Shortly after 9/11 he is deployed to Iraq for a 15-month tour. During his tour, he spreads the word of God and offers support, advice and guidance to his fellow comrades. But, while Chaplains are tasked with being there for others, who is there to help the Chaplains?
Meanwhile, Darren’s wife, Heather, is on the home front caring for their three children as they anxiously await their fathers return. But, when Darren finally returns home, like many soldiers, he isn’t the same man. Their marriage nearly falls apart, and the same man that helped put others’ marriages together struggles to maintain his own.
Written with the actual CaringBridge entries of Heather and Darren Turner and via a first-person point of view, the reader is offered exclusive access to the mind of a solider and his family. Indivisible is sectioned into three parts: the pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment. Each part offers enough detail to familiarize the reader with the process each solider must face. Through this layout, those unfamiliar with the armed forces begin to understand the hardships both soldiers and their families face. I especially loved that the deployment section is laid out month by month, each beginning and ending with Darren’s actual CaringBridge entries. By laying out the book in such fashion, I found myself counting down the months until Darren’s return home, making one feel extremely connected to the characters both near and far.
This extraordinary story developed for the big screen captures what is often not visible, the internal battles we endure to show strength and support on the exterior while hiding our own anger, fear and pain. This captivating novel reminds us to live and let God.
*Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Darren Turner is a Chaplain in the U.S. Army. Shortly after 9/11 he is deployed to Iraq for a 15-month tour. During his tour, he spreads the word of God and offers support, advice and guidance to his fellow comrades. But, while Chaplains are tasked with being there for others, who is there to help the Chaplains?
Meanwhile, Darren’s wife, Heather, is on the home front caring for their three children as they anxiously await their fathers return. But, when Darren finally returns home, like many soldiers, he isn’t the same man. Their marriage nearly falls apart, and the same man that helped put others’ marriages together struggles to maintain his own.
Written with the actual CaringBridge entries of Heather and Darren Turner and via a first-person point of view, the reader is offered exclusive access to the mind of a solider and his family. Indivisible is sectioned into three parts: the pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment. Each part offers enough detail to familiarize the reader with the process each solider must face. Through this layout, those unfamiliar with the armed forces begin to understand the hardships both soldiers and their families face. I especially loved that the deployment section is laid out month by month, each beginning and ending with Darren’s actual CaringBridge entries. By laying out the book in such fashion, I found myself counting down the months until Darren’s return home, making one feel extremely connected to the characters both near and far.
This extraordinary story developed for the big screen captures what is often not visible, the internal battles we endure to show strength and support on the exterior while hiding our own anger, fear and pain. This captivating novel reminds us to live and let God.
*Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
October 8, 2018
Darren and Heather Turner share a passion for serving God, family, and country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq as an army chaplain, Heather vows to serve military families back home as she cares for the couple’s three young children. Darren knows he’s overseas to support the troops in their suffering as their chaplain. What he doesn’t know is how he will get through his own dark moments. And as communication from Darren dwindles, Heather wonders what is happening in her husband’s heart. Meanwhile, she’s growing weary in the day-to-day life of a military base—each child’s milestone Darren will never see, each month waiting for orders, each late-night knock on the door. When Darren returns, he is no longer the husband Heather once knew. She is no longer the woman Darren wed. And so it’s at home that the Turners face their biggest battle: to save their marriage. Based on the screen play by David Evans, Indivisible is a tribute to the beauty of serving our country, the courage of choosing love in the darkness, and the power of a God who never gives up hope.
The movie intrigues me, but I haven’t gotten around to seeing it yet. I’m thinking, after reading this, that it may be one of those rare times when the movie is better than the book. I say that purely because the alternating perspectives make it a little difficult to read at times. The story is based on a true story about a military chaplain and his wife. There are some war scenes, but it is not very graphic. The first half of the book is about the couple’s separation, and what they go through with that, while the second half covers his return home from deployment and how their marriage has to evolve with that. I preferred the second half of the story. I also liked how the chapters were short (those 40+ page chapters at bedtime can be a beast!), so it was easy to pick up and put down when I had a free moment.
The movie intrigues me, but I haven’t gotten around to seeing it yet. I’m thinking, after reading this, that it may be one of those rare times when the movie is better than the book. I say that purely because the alternating perspectives make it a little difficult to read at times. The story is based on a true story about a military chaplain and his wife. There are some war scenes, but it is not very graphic. The first half of the book is about the couple’s separation, and what they go through with that, while the second half covers his return home from deployment and how their marriage has to evolve with that. I preferred the second half of the story. I also liked how the chapters were short (those 40+ page chapters at bedtime can be a beast!), so it was easy to pick up and put down when I had a free moment.
October 7, 2018
This novel is divided into three parts: 1. Predeployment 2007
2. Deployment
3. Reintegration 2008
Darren Turner spends 15 months in Iraq as an army chaplain. This leaves his wife Heather at home to take care of their three children but also to help the army wives whose husbands are also in Iraq. Even though they both feel called by God, neither realizes the hardships they will face. Darren gives glimpses of what the soldiers are having to go through. Such eye-opening detail is given that is hard to comprehend. But Heather faces fear of her husband not coming home and jumps every time she hears the doorbell ring. But she also spends time with the wives that lose their husbands in the war. She struggles being a single mom, responsible for all the details of their children's lives.
The big hardship is when Darren comes home totally changed by his experiences and will not share any details with his wife. The whole family is upended. No meaningful communication to the point they find themselves separating.
Travel for a brief time with a family that experiences what so many other deployed soldiers with family at home experience.
One example given in the story really stuck with me. Jesus also served a deployment when he left Heaven and came to earth. Many soldiers have died to keep us free but Jesus gave his life so that ALL could be free.
This novel is based on the motion picture by David G. Evans and is inspired by true events. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie now that I have read the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit, but I was not required to write a review.
2. Deployment
3. Reintegration 2008
Darren Turner spends 15 months in Iraq as an army chaplain. This leaves his wife Heather at home to take care of their three children but also to help the army wives whose husbands are also in Iraq. Even though they both feel called by God, neither realizes the hardships they will face. Darren gives glimpses of what the soldiers are having to go through. Such eye-opening detail is given that is hard to comprehend. But Heather faces fear of her husband not coming home and jumps every time she hears the doorbell ring. But she also spends time with the wives that lose their husbands in the war. She struggles being a single mom, responsible for all the details of their children's lives.
The big hardship is when Darren comes home totally changed by his experiences and will not share any details with his wife. The whole family is upended. No meaningful communication to the point they find themselves separating.
Travel for a brief time with a family that experiences what so many other deployed soldiers with family at home experience.
One example given in the story really stuck with me. Jesus also served a deployment when he left Heaven and came to earth. Many soldiers have died to keep us free but Jesus gave his life so that ALL could be free.
This novel is based on the motion picture by David G. Evans and is inspired by true events. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie now that I have read the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit, but I was not required to write a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2018
“A heart should never stay in place. A soul should never grow stagnant.”
This book is a novelization of the movie Indivisible which is being released on October 26, 2018. Now that I have read the novelization, I must go see the movie when it comes out. Will it be as incredible as the novelization is? Even if the movie is only half as incredible, it will still be excellent.
The movie and book are based on real life military chaplain Darren and his time on tour and his re-entry. It is well-written and powerfully moving. It’s told mostly from Darren and Heather’s (his wife) perspective in third person narrative. Their raw emotions - faith, doubt, fear, anger, guilt, grief - are so real and tangible. Their admirable yet fragile faith is so relatable and heart-wrenching as are their final revelations into God’s redemption and unending, incredible, ridiculous grace. Insight into Darren’s spirit as a man, a father, a husband, and a follower of Christ answering His calling is eye-opening and revealing. The vulnerability and trust needed to rebuild a marriage from ground up totally confirmed what I need to remember to keep my own marriage alive and well. The beauty of brotherhood and fellowship Darren has with other brothers-in-arms and brothers-in-Christ reminded me that we all need the help of fellow believers.
This novelization epitomizes the powerful message of the cross and what His grace and redemption really mean.
I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
This book is a novelization of the movie Indivisible which is being released on October 26, 2018. Now that I have read the novelization, I must go see the movie when it comes out. Will it be as incredible as the novelization is? Even if the movie is only half as incredible, it will still be excellent.
The movie and book are based on real life military chaplain Darren and his time on tour and his re-entry. It is well-written and powerfully moving. It’s told mostly from Darren and Heather’s (his wife) perspective in third person narrative. Their raw emotions - faith, doubt, fear, anger, guilt, grief - are so real and tangible. Their admirable yet fragile faith is so relatable and heart-wrenching as are their final revelations into God’s redemption and unending, incredible, ridiculous grace. Insight into Darren’s spirit as a man, a father, a husband, and a follower of Christ answering His calling is eye-opening and revealing. The vulnerability and trust needed to rebuild a marriage from ground up totally confirmed what I need to remember to keep my own marriage alive and well. The beauty of brotherhood and fellowship Darren has with other brothers-in-arms and brothers-in-Christ reminded me that we all need the help of fellow believers.
This novelization epitomizes the powerful message of the cross and what His grace and redemption really mean.
I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
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