A Cry of Stone

Children of the Last Days #6

by Michael D. O'Brien

In this long-awaited fifth novel in his series, Children of the Last Days, Michael O'Brien explores the true meaning of poverty of spirit. Loosely based on the real lives of a number of native North Americans, A Cry of Stone is the fictional account of the life of a native artist, Rose Wâbos. Abandoned as an infant, Rose is raised by her grandmother, Oldmary Wâbos, in the remotest regions of the northern Ontario wilderness. The story covers a period from 1940 to 1973, chronicling Rose's growth to womanhood, her discovery of art, her moving out into the world of cities and sophisticated cultural circles. Above all it is the story of a soul who is granted little of human strengths and resources, yet who strives to love in all circumstances. As she searches for the ultimate meaning of her life, she changes the lives of many people whom she meets along the way. O'Brien takes the reader deep into the heart of a ''small'' person. There he uncovers the beauty and struggles of a soul who wants only to create, to help others to see what she sees. The story also explores the complex lies and false images, the ambitions and posturing that dominate much of contemporary culture, and shows how these have contributed to a loss of our understanding of the sacredness of each human life. Once again, Michael O'Brien beautifully demonstrates that no matter how insignificant a person may be in the world's eyes, marvels and mysteries are to be found in everyone. His central character, Rose, is among the despised and rejected of the earth, yet her life bears witness to the greatness in man, and to his eternal destiny.

Genres: Fiction, Catholic, Christian, Christian Fiction, Novels, Spirituality, Literature

849 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Michael D. O'Brien is a Roman Catholic author, artist, and frequent essayist and lecturer on faith and culture, living in Combermere, Ontario, Canada.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” (Jesus) said in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” —Luke 19:39-40

I didn’t understand the title at first, though I was quite chagrined when this Scripture came up in the text. How did I forget it?

Michael O’Brien’s A Cry of Stone is unique among books in my reading experience. It’s a book which is hard to classify as well as hard to put down. That is probably because it seems to be several books in one. Primarily it is a fictional narrative of native artist, Rose Wâbos, abandoned by her mother at birth, raised by her devout grandmother, who instills strong Catholic and native values in young Rose, who clings to them as her heritage when she loses everything else. It is a heart-wrenching tale. Be prepared, but it is still hopeful and so beautiful.

The novel’s synopsis tells what the author wanted to do in A Cry of Stone and I believe he accomplished his objectives. It is a parable illustrative of ‘Poverty of Spirit’.

I see why my friend, Marc, was so insistent I read it. Now I want to pass the recommendation on to others—anyone I can get to listen.

Dear Rose, you are my heroine! May I try harder to model my life after you!

MOST HIGHLY recommended! Thanks again Marc!



September 9, 2019: Finished last night. It's beautiful. I'm still processing... Review to follow.

My friend Marc says this is his favorite Michael O'Brien and Michael O'Brien is his favorite author...

Thanks Marc!

[Maggie Lunsford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been more edified by a piece of fiction in my life. The obedience and little way of Rose gives me big St. Thérèse vibes. I have found myself pondering what it looks like to give a yes to the Lord in the simply ways of loving the person in front of me and carrying the little crosses He presents me with more frequently as a result of this novel.

“Only love creates.”

[John O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rating my father's novels here as a fan. I look forward to his books as much as anyone else, and find them deeply moving. I am not unaware of their flaws, but their strengths surpass them, and so abundantly that I find them almost moot. He has a rare gift of penetrating deeply into spiritual truths which is a reflection of the person he is -- an artist who has been refined in a furnace of faith, not unlike many of his characters.

"A Cry of Stone" is about a native Canadian named Rose Wabos from northern Ontario, who goes on to become an artist and living in the cities of the south. Like other of my father's books, this one is exploring the mystery of suffering with a high degree of sensitivity, not offering pat answers but showing how a hidden fruitfulness can emerge from even the most apparently "failed" and tragic lives. Rose is a beautiful character, and is modelled imaginatively after Rose Prince, of the Carrier people in B.C., who was also an artist, a suffering servant, and is revered as a saint by her own people.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly stunned by this book. “Maybe it is supposed to be this way, this inexplicable fragility of being, the not-knowingness of life, the beauty that can break your heart. Without it we would soon enough make ourselves into gods.” There is quite literally on every page peace, sadness, suffering, and joy and what it looks like to have hope and trust in God in a life. “‘Then she understood. If God could patiently create this stone over thousands of years, seeing ahead to the woman who would one day walk on the beach with discouragement in her soul, he could do anything … He could bring dead things to life, and even a life that seemed a failure might become fruitful.’”

[Aimee Ecuyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So those of you who followed along with my updates may be surprised to see that I have given this 5 stars. Let me explain . . .
If I were to rate this book on how much I enjoyed it, I would probably give it a 1.5. This book is a narrative about redemptive suffering and a lesson in offering our sufferings as a humble gift to our Lord for the sake of others. Michael O’Brien writes about suffering so well that I suffered the entire time I was reading this. The story contains a multitude of tragedies and I wanted to walk away from it many, many times. But Maggie loves this book and I love and trust Maggie. So, I literally kept reading it so I could try to understand her better and also to hold out hope for the good that was (supposedly) to come.
This book taught me so much about trust and obedience and not shying away from the suffering that the Lord asks us to endure, but rather turning toward him to unite my suffering with His. It demanded that I grow in spiritual maturity so that I could be more childlike, more dependent, more receptive. And the beauty of this book is that it’s the story of someone’s life with spiritual nuggets that we can glean wisdom from. There is nothing “extraordinary” in this, until you realize that our humanity in and of itself is extraordinary and incredibly sacred.

[Kaylee Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful to encounter Rose’s physical and material poverty throughout the book. Her ability to surrender to the Lord’s will for her life was reconvicting for me. I also really loved the theme of beauty throughout the book and the way it isn’t your typical view of beauty. Couldn’t recommend more!

[Matthew Lauderdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second read of this book, and while I thought it was fantastic my first time through, it managed to exceed my expectations even more on a reread. The beatitudes are running through this book from beginning to end. I think on a fundamental level, A Cry of Stone is a story about God's love for mankind, but particularly about his love for the smallest, weakest, most broken and humble of people, and how his love manifests in our lives. Another major theme in this book is that of redemptive suffering. A Cry of Stone can be difficult to read at times because of the depths of pain and sorrow that occur, but God's love is seen throughout all of it. One of my favorite aspects of this book is the focus on one character, Rose, throughout most of her life. O'Brien's character work is exceptional, and you get to know Rose deeply and intimately and care for her in all of the events that happen to her. One of the biggest compliments I can give a book is that it moved me to tears, and this one did that multiple times. There's so much that can said about this book, but to sum it up concisely, this is a stunningly beautiful book that is extremely edifying and deeply profound in all that it conveys and the story will stick with you long after it's over. This one gets my highest recommendation.

[Marc Berube · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to sum in words how I feel about this book, but I can tell you that it's one of my favourite books all time!

It has all the makings of a very sad and dismal story, except for one thing: the main character's faith and belief that God is giving meaning to her life. It's a book of suffering, but redemptive suffering. Pain, but meaningful pain. And as weird as it sounds: a beacon of open nothingness in a world of closed-in abundance.

It follows the life of someone who is called to be a sufferer, pain-bearer, and in the eyes of the world, a nobody. And yet she finds purpose and joy through accepting that calling and using it for the redemption of herself and others around her.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

As all of Michael O'Brien's books, this one too is great. The central message seems to be that each life is a unique word of God. Along the way, the discussions about art knocked some of the modernism out of me. (That alone would've made it worth reading!)

[Brooklyn Hannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spend ample time reflecting on these novels—not just reading them, but mostly about how to optimize my GoodReads review. As a consequence of my cynicism, I usually dislike over-spiritualization, but Big Mike (can I call him that?) somehow makes the miraculous feel less try-hard and more like your plain, poor, lonely neighbor casually handing you bread that multiplies on the spot. I have never been so convicted of the Beauty in the ordinary. Much like Island of the World, A Cry of Stone reminded me how far I am from sainthood without leaving me bitter. Which, speaking plainly, is practically a minor miracle within itself.

These aren’t just “good Catholic feel-good reads.” They’re the kind of literature you’ll pretentiously recommend to your friends and for good reason. I genuinely cannot believe Big Mike isn’t the Taylor Swift of Catholic circles yet. Read these books, people!!! They’ll like trick you into holiness for real.

I recognize I didn't even talk about this novel in particular, but like, you get it.

[Rachel M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a year ago, and it seems that the process of thought-fermentation has taken hold and brought about new meanings. Good books like this one perpetuate new thoughts and inner growth, while bad books are just easy to forget. What I remember now about the story of Rose Wabos is the idea of being at home anywhere in the world, whether rich or poor, employed or unemployed, having a home or homeless. No matter where she is, she always has the Beating Heart.

This book forced me to reconcile my American pursuit of security with the actual realities of an honestly lived Christian life. We take it as a matter of course to have a comfortable savings account, retirement fund, insurance for health, car, life: we maybe even consider good financial planning and the pursuit of security as something of a virtue. And yet – here is Rose Wabos, poor in every way, absolutely broke at many points in her life, and yet, somehow, a saint. Even if she is out on the streets without a place to live, or well-loved and supported in a high-cultured art school, she is perfectly at home.

After a year, I find myself returning in my mind to this story and saying to myself, “Well, if Rose could face this or that situation with confidence that God would take care of her needs, and come through it, so can I.” Which is funny, because she is just a fictional character. Somehow, O’Brien was able to make her real to me in the same way that a role model is real... and somehow, the character of Rose Wabos has taught me a lot.

[Candise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank goodness my brother gives me these books as gifts as soon as they are published. O'Brien is my most favorite author! This was his most difficult book to read. But I loved it. I loved the art and the pain. I loved the little details of nothingness, and the grand plan of Providence caring for Rose. She is a tiny sparrow, but God sees their needs cares for them.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is the significance of a life? In his fifth novel in the Children of the Last Days series, Michael O’Brien beautifully and poignantly captures this question through the life of Rose Wabos, a native North American artist who we follow throughout the entirety of her life from 1940 to 1973. At the novel’s core, O’Brien captures the beauty and importance of every person’s story, no matter how small or insignificant in the world’s eyes, and through Rose’s life portrays the depth of the human experience in a way I have encountered few authors achieve. This is a novel that moved me deeply and I wish I could express more profoundly how much I loved it. Though she is looked down on and despised by the world as a “nothing-person”, Rose shows the profound dignity and sacredness of every created being in God’s eyes. Her character is at once lovable, strange, inspiring, and refreshing, portraying sanctity and holiness in a way that captures the otherworldliness of Christ and the Saints. Yet, at the same time she is quite human, with a rich personality and inner life, filled with struggles, longings, joys, fears, and hopes. O’Brien also captures beautifully the inner movements of her spiritual life and describes the life of grace and the workings of the Holy Spirit in Rose’s soul in a way that is rich and powerful. This is where I have often found O’Brien to be at his best and he did not disappoint here. Specifically, the theme of poverty of spirit is ever present throughout Rose’s story which was both inspiring and challenging at times to encounter. O’Brien writes with such gravity that by the end of the novel I can truly say that I had been changed by Rose’s story. Additionally, Rose’s femininity in particular captivated me. Her spiritual motherhood, as well as her desire for biological motherhood, was a major theme of the novel and I was inspired by Rose’s ability to mother those around her and carry them in her heart as she offered her sufferings for them. Her gentleness, kindness, receptivity, and vulnerability all beautifully portrayed the warmth and tenderness of a woman’s heart that deeply moved me as the reader. As a male reader, I would be particularly interested to hear from a woman’s perspective about this, but I personally found it to be a moving and authentic portrait of the feminine spirit.

Though there is little within the plot that the reader may find “extraordinary” and the pacing is rather slow, this allows O’Brien to really take the reader on a journey with Rose such that the reader truly feels her joys, pains, and longings. This allowed me to really engross myself in the characters’ world and gain an intimacy and familiarity with the characters, such that by the end of the novel I truly felt as if I knew them. The slow burn of the story as it unfolds mimics the slowness and ordinariness of life and paints a picture that perfectly encapsulates the beauty of a small, ordinary life lived with love. Throughout the backdrop of the story is a changing world as modernity is slowly ushered into society as the decades pass by and the spirit of the age becomes more and more omnipresent. Though it is never explicitly expressed, it is ever lurking, adding an atmosphere more subtle but still consistent with O’Brien’s other works in the series. This is most explicitly felt in O’Brien’s commentary on the role of art as Rose navigates her career as an artist amidst the pride, nihilism, greed, and worldliness of the post-modern art scene in North America. O’Brien’s thesis of art as a means of expression, transcendence, and beauty not only brought philosophical depth to the novel, but also contributed to Rose’s character development and the advancement of the plot. As an artist himself, O’Brien is uniquely positioned to add insightful observations on these themes and I felt he did not disappoint. Though at times the dialogue, or monologues, felt forced, this is something I have learned to look past for O’Brien, especially when his insights are interesting, as they were here.

With a story so ambitious, this novel at times felt as if it were multiple books merged into one, with so many characters, tones, and plotlines introduced throughout the novel. However, I felt O’Brien overall executed this very well and the meandering plotline, along with the length and depth of the novel, gave the impression of real life, with its twists and turns, varying seasons, and mixture of the mundane and adventurous. Though there may have been small gripes I had with the novel, given the tremendous accomplishment I found the novel to be as a whole, I find them unworthy of mention. This novel is truly a masterpiece and may have been my favorite Michael O’Brien novel that I have read. I cried, I laughed, I read with great anticipation and fervor, and also enjoyed its leisureliness and quiet moments. It truly has everything and more.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

What O'Brien often lacks in subtlety he compensates for by communicating the depth and drama of human persons and the unfolding of Providence in their lives. "A Cry of Stone" is the sixth of his "Children of the Last Days" series and is a biography of Rose Wabos, a Native American, Ojibwa girl born an orphan in extreme poverty and with a physical handicap.

Rose, in her own words, is a "non-person."

She is small, ugly, poor, naive, ignorant, unwanted, and without belonging.

This story is about the value and grace within those lives of the most "worthless" and their seemingly arbitrary suffering.

Rose learns early in life to avoid escapism and to offer up all her physical, emotional, mental, and relational suffering for the salvation of those she mostly deeply loves and for the whole world. She is a budding mystic, with the capacity to see into the hearts of people, their wounds, and their stories. O'Brien illustrates these mystical graces in a convincing and true-to-life manner. Rose uses her artistic talent and these mystical graces to communicate the truths of the people she knows and what God is doing in them through her paintings, a mission she has received which will only bare fruit in the future, only when a new cultural zeitgeist will allow it.

Her story spans from 1940-1972, throughout rural Canada, Montreal, the countryside of England, the Louvre of Paris, and ends again in Montreal.

The real life story and intercession of Rose Prince, an incorrupt Native American woman of British Columbia, were inspirations for this novel.

This quote from the novel seems to communicate its heart well:

"Poor? Even if what you say is true, Rose, it does not matter, for in your failure you may bring about a greater harvest for souls than if your work is praised throughout your nation and beyond. Perhaps the failure is a necessary sacrifice. Will there be a soul one day, I wonder, who happens to stop before a painting of yours and is struck a gentle blow in his heart? Will the Holy Spirit then speak to him, because of the word you have made flesh for his eyes to see? Will he perhaps turn to God and consider the impossible question?"

"What question, ma Mere?"

"Is God, after all, what he says he is? If he does ask this, God will answer him. This I believe. You must not doubt it. You may never see it; you may never know for certain; it may occur far from where you live or long after your death. But, because you existed, it will occur. You came into being, and you stood firm in the cold dark places of the world, you continued to walk through the forest in winter even when all bearings seemed lost."

Written inside my front paperback cover:
"Read during the quarantine of April 2020,
St. Paul, Minnesota, Old St. Michael's Rectory"

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed and was inspired by this book which surprised me because books about Native American culture don’t normally catch my attention. The strong Catholic tradition and message are beautiful and shared in a way that is thought-provoking rather than preachy. I was debating a three or four star rating because I did find some of the descriptions and explanations a bit longer than necessary and tedious, particularly about the various paintings and some of Rose’s insights and internal conversations were a little too unrealistic for me (her son, for example). At a few points the story went too far outside of believable which was distracting. Despite these points I recommend the novel and think it will rest in my mind for quite a while. There is a lot to consider regarding how I live my life and changes that I could make to offer my life as a gift to others.

[Chris DeCleene · Rating 4 out of 5]

My view of this one likely couldn’t help but be formed by knowing this was the first book Michael O’Brien wrote, though not his first published. As such, I saw in it a nascent version of the great ones: Island of the World, Strangers and Sojourners, Sophia House. Even still, very worthwhile and captivating, and a heck of a first go at it.

“A life is a word. It’s meaning and it’s shape are the answer you seek. It must be lived in order to be spoken.”

[Michelle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cry of Stone weaves together themes of vulnerability, loneliness, real joy, experienced beauty, deep pain, hope, and redemption experienced by a sensitive and talented little Indian girl named Rose. It shattered me—I don’t say that about books very often. And the theme of redemption was sunlight on a rain-streaked window. I think I love this book as much as Island of the World.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterpiece

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review comingI just finished “A Cry of Stone” by Michael D. O’Brien which is part of his loose series “Children of the Last Days”. I have now read all of his fiction except “Island of the World” which I am sure I will get to. As with all of his books I certainly enjoyed it even though an O’Brien novel is usually anything but fast-paced.

"A Cry of Stone is the fictional account of the life of a native artist, Rose Wâbos. Abandoned as an infant, Rose is raised by her grandmother, Oldmary Wâbos, in the remotest regions of the northern Ontario wilderness. The story covers a period from 1940 to 1973, chronicling Rose’s growth to womanhood, her discovery of art, her moving out into the world of cities and sophisticated cultural circles."

The reason this book was the last in the series I read is because the basic plot doesn’t sound very enticing. People often name the “Father Elijah” novel as their favorite O’Brien novel and I think partly it is because the apocalyptic plot is so intriguing and such an antithesis to the badly written and never ending Left Behind novels. A Cry of Stone though is now my favorite novel of his even if it does not contain the excitement of “Father Elijah.” O’Brien as a novelist is much like O’Brien the painter and iconographer. Icons portray a spiritual reality seemingly distorted in our eyes full of symbolic meanings. An Icon is not painted overnight and takes time to properly display these symbolic meanings. O’Brien’s novels are much the same in that they are character driven following the main character over their life and you come to feel you really know the person and their spiritual life and this is done with a rich palette.

A Cry of Stone is also for me is O’Brien’s deepest novel and the character Rose Wâbos is so developed that I often felt I was reading more of an autobiography from a saint than I was reading a fictionalized novel. More like I was reading Saint Augustine’s “Confessions”. The story of native Rose Wâbos as she struggle through childhood with a developing deformity and being raised by her grandmother as she develops fully into an artist in her adulthood covers so many stages of her life and really shows life as a pilgrimage. In fact to really sum up the plot in one sentence.

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church." Colossians 1:24

Rose learns to take the many afflictions she has in her life and to unite them with Christ. Though this is a constant struggle even with her deep devotion to Christ as the “beating heart” and really portrays the temptations so common in life and especially in trying to fully live the spiritual life. Often this book led me to a sort of contemplative novel reading where I was so often drawn back during my day into thinking about the spiritual life and prayer at a deeper level.

Though it is not only the main character Rose who you come to know and love. There is a landscape of rich characters throughout the novel. No not characters, bigger than life — but ones full of life. Her grandmother, the teacher, the artist couple, the doll making sisters, and so forth are more than just plot devices, but people you come to care about and once again drawing you away from just reading a novel. There are common O’Brien elements within such as the anti-religous bureaucrats and the attitudes from others that Christianity is something for the past and that secularism is king. Criticism of the art world and so-called modern art is another thread shared by other novels in this series. This is certainly an area where I am fully in agreements with O’Brien’s criticisms.

The title of this novel also has a meaning at several levels and is a theme throughout. Even as you come to find the title in it’s explicit meaning — you also see how it is a common thread.

I am also reviewing the Audiobook version of this novel. At about 33 hours this Audiobook put out by Ignatius Press is an unabridged version of the 800 plus page novel. Kevin O’Brien of Theatre of the Word once again has done the reading for Ignatius Press. I have been quite impressed with Kevin’s work and the other Audiobooks I have recently reviewed he did. He has surpassed himself with this reading though. If I had the power to give Kevin the Oscar for his performance I would. I’ve listened to a fair amount of Audiobooks and Kevin’s various voices go beyond what I have heard in the past. When Rose is being drawn to prayer or crying out, Kevin does his best work and like the novel itself I feel a real person doing this. His voice for the artist who becomes a father to Rose is also especially deserving of praise and adds a perfect dimension to the man portrayed as if obviously this would be the voice of that character. I am not saying this just because Kevin was nice enough to send me some of his narration work he did for Ignatius Press.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m all for re-reading good books. A Cry of Stone for the second time blew me away just like it did the first time. O’Brien has a way of writing that is so sacramental and page turning. He writes about the human heart in a deeply captivating way. The people he creates are real and flawed and feel deeply.

Rose has an ability to see deeper than the average person. She does so not in a way that seems fake or superficial but that is all rooted in love. She must be a witness to Christ through her life and through her art. Even though she will never be recognized for her work on earth, the Lord knows of the hearts that will be stirred because of her art.

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” -Luke 19:40

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've already written reviews of this book in other publications and there's simply not the space to tackle this 847 page novel here. I will say that I was stunned by the storytelling and mesmerized by the main character, Rose Wabos. Some of the themes the author explores are: finding peace in hardship, embracing poverty and seeking contentment while feeling God's absence...and the book's language is like inhaling a piece of fine art. It was truly lovely...

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to haunt me for a long time. Everything that Rose was, and did, and gave, hits me right where it counts, because so much of that humble love is missing in my own heart. A fictional character whose author lets her die in obscurity has the power to affect millions of readers. Affect? Make that change.

[Mary G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never ever forget the character of little "Rose"... This book by Michael D. O'Brien has made an impact on me... While the details of the story may become fuzzy over time - the character of such a humble, special, artistic soul will forever be imprinted on my heart... Thank you Michael!

[John Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cry of Stone is yet another novel by Michael O’Brien that follows the full life of Rose Wabos. I found the book incredibly insightful to my own spiritual life, especially in Rose’s continual fight with trusting in God beyond all doubt and in trusting that her seemingly meaningless acts of kindness and her life’s work have great unseen meaning. As a person taught by the culture that all stories need a ribbon tied knot, this book has left me wrestling with how Rose’s extreme poverty, self-sacrifice, and unrequited love for others, all of which seem unanswered except in some vague incomprehensible way, will fit in to God’s providence. I have come to see that the fight against nihilism is real in my own life, but up to this point, has remained hidden from my eyes. What a book which for days has kept me praying, wrestling, and wondering who God is and how He operates!

[Elizabeth Tamburelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layers upon layers

After having read all others of Michael O’Brien’s “Children of the Last Days” series, I dove into this tale with anticipation.

I was positively amazed at the layers and layers of this story - all separate stories within themselves, yet all entwined into one “small” life.

Engrossing; captivating and deep with insights that echoed my own heart, I could not put it down.

Highly recommend, in my own “small” way. Moving.

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable novel in the way that Michael O’Brien novels are - full of his character and plot classics: prophetic children, meaningful dreams, Fr. Andrei, main character loses everything, general lessons of poverty as gift. This book didn’t stand out to me among his others, but it is a good book for fans of this author.

[Collin Likover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never thought I’d see the day I gave a M.O.B. book a 4 star rating but this one while really great, took me forever to get through. What i’m trying to say is that it tends to drag on without feeling like you’re really going anywhere. No real climax or anything. Would still recommend but it’s my last recommendation from this author.

[Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reflection on suffering and the struggle to surrender life's various circumstances to the Lord in a childlike, trusting manner. Also cause for further retrospection on personal relationships and the mutual effects had in the lives of others. And finally, on the blessings each of us have been granted to grow closer to the Father in our unique, unrepeatable way.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

10000/10 would read again!! The characters in this book both serve as an example and a meditation on humble faith and the suffering we endure for love of another. Rose was the picture of a hidden gift for the Lord - hidden beauty, faith, and strength. Prepare to devote more than just your time to this one for it strikes at the heart, mind, and soul - I’m still blown away.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It is good to need God, and in our need to be reminded that we are not God.”

“Thus she now experienced a small sadness as she meditated on the transitoriness of time.”

“For it seemed they instinctively knew that names had power to bind and loose, to tame and soothe, that a name went straight to the heart.”