Heartland

by Davis Bunn

What happens when you think you've died, only to wake up on a movie set and find out your whole life may be a figment of someone else's imagination?

What if everyone sees you as the hero?

JayJay's new life may seem like a dream to him--but it's a miracle to everyone else.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction, Fantasy

400 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2006

About the author

Davis Bunn is an internationally-acclaimed author who has sold more than eight million books in twenty languages.

Honored with four Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, Davis was inducted into the Christy Hall of Fame in 2014.

His bestsellers include The Great Divide, Winner Take All, The Meeting Place, The Book of Hours, and The Quilt. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was serves as Writer in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.

Davis Bunn also writes under the names Thomas Locke (for his epic fantasy and techno-thriller novels) and T. Davis Bunn (for books published prior to 2002).

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a rather strange premise...but it worked very well. Davis Bunn (aka T. Davis Bunn) is among the best-known names in Christian fiction, as well as one of my favorite authors; novels like this are why.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very unique storyline but very entertaining. Easy to get invested in and I would definitely read something else by Davis Bunn in the future

[Carol Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy JayJay Parsons has no idea is going on. One moment he is on a bus heading to California, and the next moment, the bus is in an accident. He wakes up and finds himself in the wardrobe room at Centurion Studios in Riverside, California. Stranger still, he is starring himself in a television series called Heartland, which the studio plans to make into a feature length movie. JayJay finds a set of his own ranch with horses, a cranky sister, a beautiful leading lady, and a nefarious studio manager who wants to take down Centurion and its owner and will stop at nothing to make sure the movie fails. What’s worse, JayJay’s whole life to this point may be just the script coming from the writer’s imagination. But JayJay is a hero in all senses of the word, and his honest, friendly, straight-shooting approach to life, even this strange life he finds himself in, will be the catalyst that changes a doomed movie into a blockbuster, and changes a fragmented group of hardened, harried Hollywood people into a dedicated team of friends.
I closed this modern fantasy with a grin on my face. I like stories where the good guys win.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

HEARTLAND is a quirky story that challenges the imagination. JayJay Hawkins, a humble rancher from the town of Heartland, finds himself stumbling onto a Hollywood soundstage where a television show is being shot. The kicker is . . . the show is about JayJay’s life. The hit show looks as if it’s going to be canceled because of the antics of the star, a womanizing, alcoholic drunk. But when JayJay shows up, the studio can’t believe their incredible good fortune. JayJay finds himself being cast as the new lead . . . in his own life story. What happens next is an enjoyable read about a man with morals and ethics and how his conservative views of life rub off on the people around him. Some would see this book as sci-fi or fantasy, much along the lines of the movie “Lakehouse” but don’t let that detour you. Just leave your analytical thinking aside and enjoy the story of how one person in a dark and despairing world such as Hollywood can make a difference.

[Beckysue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but the question of where the main character came from is too much of a distraction for me--I don't believe God breathed life into a fictional character, but if not, where DID he come from? The author doesn't say, but since Jayjay seems too good to be true, he probably is. A good story anyway, and an enjoyable read.

[Abigail Hawthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story! Bunn's usual talented prose (but even better than usual); great, real characters; powerful storyline; and the best, most natural faith angle I've read in a long time.

It lacked the certain sparkle to make it stand out as a 5-star read, and it could get a bit slow and boring at times.

But everything else was perfection, and I highly recommend this book.

Content: A few cruder mentions, used in a negative way to show the depravity of Hollywood culture. No cursing, over-the-romance, or any of that.

*Note - I can't say what because of spoilers, but Bunn was genius for pulling off the mirroring-effect for some of the first and last plot points.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little Christian fantasy with a happy ending. Not very believable, but it was a fun story. I really kept reading because I wanted to see what would happen to the evil film executives. I thought the script writer was pretty selfish, but I liked the main character.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter is a TV scriptwriter who just can't come up with a reasonable idea for the next episode of Heartland. As his wife is pregnant with their first kids, losing his job would be catastrophic. The TV show has major problems outside of just him as well - the lead actor is a deadbeat, ratings are falling, and the producer doesn't really believe in the show.

All of the sudden, JayJay, a disoriented but promising new lead actor candidate shows up. Will he be able to help save the show? Does he even want to?

Bunn sets up the novel with the above premise in what looks to be a promising beginning about the challenges of Hollywood-adjacent life intermixed with a bit of humor and a touch of mystery.

Unfortunately, things go downhill from here. The focus on relatable Peter is replaced primarily by writing that follows JayJay's point of view. He works well as a side character, but not as a main character, and his excessive use of western idioms and his melancholic internal monologuing quickly grow wearying. The initial, fun, comedic touch around him is gone, replaced with just a bit too much seriousness. One of the other main protaganists, Kelly, gives readers almost identical issues and feels just a bit too similar to JayJay.

The plot feels like it fails to progress much throughout most of the book, except when breath-of-fresh-air chapters focusing on the producer, Martin, come up. The ending picks things up a bit though, slightly redeeming some of the struggles through the middle of the book, though not fully.

2.5 stars, but rounding up because there are some good elements here and the book feels fairly unique which the author deserves credit for.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story of the clash between Hollywood's values and Christian/all American values. There are spots where it's tough to figure out who is who, and the oddball premise of J.J. , the hero, arriving in the Hollywood set from parts unknown without a past. A little hard to follow. Otherwise the story is well written and a good read from the aspect of morals, Christian values and what America needs. Although from 2007, the picture for America has never needed a J.J. more.

[Ali · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was well written but very different from one of Bunn's other books, The Imposter, and I was disappointed. I was not expecting such heavy Christian themes, since there was nothing about that on the jacket.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange, but good message half-way through and to the end.

[Kenny Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Like "My Soul to Keep" it's an interesting window into the film industry.

[Matt Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. A christian novel really.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A miracle is only the beginning of this gripping tale of success and failure--man's view and God's view.

[Michelle Lunsford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Davis Bunn books and this was a great read. An interesting premise and setting. I became invested in the characters. I read it via audiobook, and the narrator did a great job as well.

[Cookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read - hooked me in the first chapter. I love this author’s books!

[Anna W · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book moved at a slower pace then I’d prefer, so it took me longer to get through than other books. I almost didn’t finish it. However, the last 20% of the book was more fast paced and interesting.

[Jim Dressner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quirky, odd novel. The premise is a fictional character comes to life and becomes the actor portraying his life. This premise has rich potential, but the author doesn't make much use of it beyond the main character remaining confused throughout the novel. The rest of the novel's plot and action doesn't depend on or make much use of the premise. It starts a bit slow and eventually gains moderate pace and has a few scenes of dramatic action.

This novel is a good story about the positive impact that a person of integrity and faith can have. It is an encouraging, uplifting read and it doesn't contain any content that would embarrass your mother.

I listened to the Oasis Audiobook read by Tim Lundeen. The reader did a good job of voicing the many characters such that they were distinguishable.

[Johnk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book for the 6th time. I absolutely love it. Yes, you have to get over the fact that the hero is apparently a TV character who has somehow been transported into reality. But once you do, what you get is a classic fish-out-of-water story in which someone who was created to be a down-home hero is pitted against the Hollywood establishment. Besides, if you read carefully, the hero -- and a couple of other characters -- are being used as an allegory for anyone who finds themselves in a 'world' they don't belong in; such people must ask themselves "do I run away from this, or did God put me here for a reason?"

It's also about Hollywood TV and film-making, which interests me, and the structure of the book resembles the structure of a Hollywood film. And I would have LOVED to have seen the finished movie.

[Jenni Noordhoek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short review:

To be honest, my main problem with this book is in the writing. The premise is good, and it could've been quite a story.

However, it's mostly fluff. The stakes are high but you never believe that the MC's could do anything but win. JayJay is never more than mildly confused. Sure, Kelly leaves at one point but you never believe that she won't come back.

Plus, I question the author's knowledge of the film biz. (I'm not one to talk as my film set knowledge is pretty shallow, but it feels incorrect based on everything I've learned on my filmmaking adventures)

A quick read, I don't think I would have bought it if I had known how quick and shallow. It was fun, though, so I give it three stars.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. In fact more and more as I got into it. It started with a strange premise that almost had me turning to another audiobook but I'm glad I stuck with it. I think you'd really like this book IF you agree that the lion's share of what's coming out of Hollywood in TV and Movies isn't good for anybody and wish there was more available that you actually felt GOOD about watching and actually encouraged good values. Otherwise I'd steer clear 8)

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[Rachelle Sperling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally love Bunn's writing but this book stretched the limits. Usually he has some way to explain the story so it is quasi-plausible (amnesia or virtual reality, etc) but there is just no way to make a TV character coming to life plausible. (God can do anything but this is way out in right field) If you can get past the utter impossibility of it, then it is still classic T Davis Bunn writing. I did like the country setting, the TV set and the characters. I just couldn't quite put the absurdity of the main character being fictional out of my mind.

[Megan Mosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favorite Davis Bunn book, and probably one of my top five favorite books of all time. The characters he paints are so fleshed out and detailed, it’s like you are living their struggles and triumphs. The adventure scenes are gripping, as is the struggle between faith and the corruption and filth that Hollywood so often breeds. Watching JayJay come to terms with his place in that strange, strange world learning to lean on the One who’s always faithful, is an experience I wouldn’t have missed, have often repeated and will continue to repeat in the future.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was slow getting into this book, but that was probably my own mindset. I want to find more books like this to read. It was uplifting without being centered around murder, mayhem, sex or romance. It had all of those elements, but wasn't stuck on being graphic.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started too slow....got bored & didn't finish.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bizaar story--showing Davis Bunn's quirky side.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish it. It was wierd. Bunn has done better

[Glenda Burchett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. I just had to ignore the fact that God had brought a fictionalcharacter to life. He wouldn't do that. Oh well. As my kids would tell me ... it's not real.

[Brenda Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only Davis Bunn book I have not liked

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I think that is about the right rating. The book started well but around the 2/3 mark it started to slow down and become drawn out….