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The Cross Gardener
From the New York Times bestselling author, an inspiring story of life, love, and moving on.
Married and the father of a young daughter, John Bevan had finally found the traditional family he lacked as an orphaned child. But all that disappears when a fatal car accident steals away his wife-and the unborn child she carried.
Filled with sorrow, John withdraws from life and love. He erects a small cross at the scene of his wife's accident and visits daily, grieving. Then one morning he encounters a young man kneeling before the cross, touching it up with white paint. John's conversations and travels with this mysterious man-known to him only as the Cross Gardener-will forever change his world.
From Jason F. Wright comes a timeless tale that explores the questions we ask when our lives are touched by How do we carry on? And who will show us the way? The answers John Bevan finds illuminate the hope that even in our darkest hours we are not alone.
Married and the father of a young daughter, John Bevan had finally found the traditional family he lacked as an orphaned child. But all that disappears when a fatal car accident steals away his wife-and the unborn child she carried.
Filled with sorrow, John withdraws from life and love. He erects a small cross at the scene of his wife's accident and visits daily, grieving. Then one morning he encounters a young man kneeling before the cross, touching it up with white paint. John's conversations and travels with this mysterious man-known to him only as the Cross Gardener-will forever change his world.
From Jason F. Wright comes a timeless tale that explores the questions we ask when our lives are touched by How do we carry on? And who will show us the way? The answers John Bevan finds illuminate the hope that even in our darkest hours we are not alone.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2010
43 people are currently reading
1423 people want to read
About the author
Jason F. Wright
57 books590 followersJason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author.
Jason also writes an occasional column which has appeared in over 100 newspapers, magazines and web sites across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Deseret News, Forbes, CNN, FoxNews, and others.
Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the miracle of opening doors, faith, failure, the Christmas Jars movement, the lost art of letter writing, and many other topics. He has been seen on CNN, FoxNews, C-SPAN, and on local television stations around the country.
Each year Jason visits schools across the country and presents assemblies and writing workshops to students at all ages.
Jason grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has also lived in Germany, Illinois, Brazil, Oregon and Utah. In 2007, while researching Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for his novel The Wednesday Letters, Jason fell so in love with the area that he moved his family westward from northern Virginia to Woodstock.
Jason is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys they love, and two grandchildren they love even more.
Jason also writes an occasional column which has appeared in over 100 newspapers, magazines and web sites across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Deseret News, Forbes, CNN, FoxNews, and others.
Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the miracle of opening doors, faith, failure, the Christmas Jars movement, the lost art of letter writing, and many other topics. He has been seen on CNN, FoxNews, C-SPAN, and on local television stations around the country.
Each year Jason visits schools across the country and presents assemblies and writing workshops to students at all ages.
Jason grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has also lived in Germany, Illinois, Brazil, Oregon and Utah. In 2007, while researching Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for his novel The Wednesday Letters, Jason fell so in love with the area that he moved his family westward from northern Virginia to Woodstock.
Jason is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys they love, and two grandchildren they love even more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 437 reviews
October 10, 2022
John Bevan, married his high school sweetheart and had a beautiful little daughter. He had been orphaned as a baby, but grew up in a loving adopted family.
On the way home from the county fair, there was an accident, his wife and unborn son died.
He was trying to cope with the loss, when he meets a Cross Gardener, who paints white paint on wooden crosses; just where his wife and unborn son died.
John has many conversations with this Cross Gardner, he begins to heal , little by little. He always wonders, just who is the Cross Gardner.
I believe the author wants the reader to think the Cross Gardner is the Holy Spirit, one that is always with us..
On the way home from the county fair, there was an accident, his wife and unborn son died.
He was trying to cope with the loss, when he meets a Cross Gardener, who paints white paint on wooden crosses; just where his wife and unborn son died.
John has many conversations with this Cross Gardner, he begins to heal , little by little. He always wonders, just who is the Cross Gardner.
I believe the author wants the reader to think the Cross Gardner is the Holy Spirit, one that is always with us..
November 24, 2014
After reading other reviews, I wonder if I am souless for not liking this book. I prefer that spiritual books either be realistic or allegorical. I do not like books that mix the two genres. Wright tells the story of a modern man who loses his wife and struggles to find his way in the wake of her passing. Fantastic things happen that step too far away from reality (and into allegory) for me.
CS Lewis mastered each of these genres without mixing them. His book A Grief Observed is basically journal entries penned after his wife Joy died. They are heart-wrenchingly honest accounts of his struggles to find God in the absence of his most beloved wife. Lewis also wrote allegorical works such as The Great Divorce, Screwtape Letters and the Narnia novels. In these books he describes spiritual principles in symbols and one-dimensional characters in such a way that many people can apply them to their particular lives. However, they do not expect to ride a bus to heaven, to overhear a demon and his nephew conspire, or to see Christ strolling through the woods in lion form. The allegorical genre tells the reader, "These things should not be taken literally." When realism and allegory mix, it's very hard for the reader to know what they might encounter in their own spiritual quest as literal, and what is just an idea cloaked in a concrete object.
Because this novel had some one-dimensional characters, some very strong symbols, and many passages that were sermon-esque, I felt the quality was too much like a flannel board story. I applaud Wright in his efforts to offer solace to those who grieve, but his comfort comes from doctrine that has no biblical support and from (fictional) experiences that I have never heard anyone describe as real. Thus, they offer me no real hope. I like the ideas behind the fantastical elements, but because they are mixed in with apple orchards, highways and blue jeans, some may be tempted to look for their literal existence. From my experience human spirituality is more complex, subtle and pedestrian.
CS Lewis mastered each of these genres without mixing them. His book A Grief Observed is basically journal entries penned after his wife Joy died. They are heart-wrenchingly honest accounts of his struggles to find God in the absence of his most beloved wife. Lewis also wrote allegorical works such as The Great Divorce, Screwtape Letters and the Narnia novels. In these books he describes spiritual principles in symbols and one-dimensional characters in such a way that many people can apply them to their particular lives. However, they do not expect to ride a bus to heaven, to overhear a demon and his nephew conspire, or to see Christ strolling through the woods in lion form. The allegorical genre tells the reader, "These things should not be taken literally." When realism and allegory mix, it's very hard for the reader to know what they might encounter in their own spiritual quest as literal, and what is just an idea cloaked in a concrete object.
Because this novel had some one-dimensional characters, some very strong symbols, and many passages that were sermon-esque, I felt the quality was too much like a flannel board story. I applaud Wright in his efforts to offer solace to those who grieve, but his comfort comes from doctrine that has no biblical support and from (fictional) experiences that I have never heard anyone describe as real. Thus, they offer me no real hope. I like the ideas behind the fantastical elements, but because they are mixed in with apple orchards, highways and blue jeans, some may be tempted to look for their literal existence. From my experience human spirituality is more complex, subtle and pedestrian.
April 26, 2011
I am not so sure how scripturally sound this is. The basis of the story is that we all have someone who greets us when we die. We do not die alone. This book would be teriffic comfort for someone who has just lost someone they love. However, I am not sure it is the truth of God that He sends us an angel,someone who has gone on before or not (I need to check through scripture about this). I have always believed through what scripture teaches that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord so I believe that it is always Jesus who greets us. Love to hear anyone elses comments about this. I guess I will just have to wait and see what the truth really is and then I won't be able to tell you but Christ comforts those who mourn and we know this to be true. Perhaps this book is a way of comfort.
April 20, 2010
The Cross Gardener is a beautiful tale of love, loss and the desire to move forward in life. John Bevan has a unique story. Born under dire circumstances, adopted into a comfortable home and loved by a wonderful girl, Bevan finally believed he was living in heaven on earth until a fateful day in August changed his world. The love of his life and center of his world, his wife Emma Jane, and their unborn child Willard are killed in a car accident while John and his young daughter Lou Lou watch. This sudden tragedy sets their lives into a tailspin and John is lost in grief for Emma Jane and Willard. Following the only path that he knows, John makes two wooden crosses and places them at the accident site making it a ritual to visit daily. This continues endlessly while life around him moves forward leaving him and his little girl behind. This endless cycle is interrupted when John arrives for his visit to the accident site and a man is there caretaking the area. Initially, John is appalled but this stranger slowly takes him on a journey that he will never forget leading him on a remarkable path back to the life he nearly left behind.
This book is Wright's best work to date. Breathtaking in its simplicity and stunning in its beauty, The Cross Gardener draws you in until curiousity overwhelms you. The ideas that Wright puts forth are heartwarming and the characters are so easy to identify with that you feel like you are present in their lives. John Bevan is an amazing leading man. His journey through life is more difficult than some but his natural grace in dealing with most situations makes his failure to cope with his wife's passing feel more tragic. His ever-present yet absent daughter Lou Lou breaks a readers heart and his surrounding family who steadfastly urge him forward give the story a balance that would otherwise be lacking. The setting of the apple orchard is vividly written and feels like a perfect location for a book like this to unfold. While the plot moves slowly, it never feels tired and the introduction of the Cross Gardener and revelation of his identity are exquisitely timed. I was often moved to tears while reading this story and feel that it can be a comfort and joy to anyone who has lost someone. Written from the Christian perspective, it is a poignant tale of belief, strength and life that swept me off my feet. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian fiction and also to those who are simply looking for a lovely story.
This book is Wright's best work to date. Breathtaking in its simplicity and stunning in its beauty, The Cross Gardener draws you in until curiousity overwhelms you. The ideas that Wright puts forth are heartwarming and the characters are so easy to identify with that you feel like you are present in their lives. John Bevan is an amazing leading man. His journey through life is more difficult than some but his natural grace in dealing with most situations makes his failure to cope with his wife's passing feel more tragic. His ever-present yet absent daughter Lou Lou breaks a readers heart and his surrounding family who steadfastly urge him forward give the story a balance that would otherwise be lacking. The setting of the apple orchard is vividly written and feels like a perfect location for a book like this to unfold. While the plot moves slowly, it never feels tired and the introduction of the Cross Gardener and revelation of his identity are exquisitely timed. I was often moved to tears while reading this story and feel that it can be a comfort and joy to anyone who has lost someone. Written from the Christian perspective, it is a poignant tale of belief, strength and life that swept me off my feet. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian fiction and also to those who are simply looking for a lovely story.
January 30, 2011
Jason F. Wright is the New York Times Bestselling author of "The Wednesday Letters", "The Christmas Jars", and co-author of "The Christmas Sweater".
"The Cross Gardener" is a very unusual story, a very moving story, and a story that looks at questions that many of us have asked ourselves over and over again.
John Bevan was born on the night his mother was killed in an automobile accident. He was moved from foster home to foster home, and finally found a loving home on an apple orchard run by Wayne Bevan.
John marries his high school sweetheart and becomes the father to a daughter. His life is shattered again when his father dies. He inherits the orchard and settles down to a good life with his wife and daughter. Tragedy strikes again when his wife and unborn son are killed in an autombile accident.
Johm, immersed in sorrow and self pity, retreats from life and love. The orchard falls into disrepair and more impotantly he becomes removed from his daughter.
John erects small crosses at the scene of the accident and visits every day. Finding himself at the probably the lowest point of his life he finds a young man attending to the crosses, both cleaning the area around them and painting them.
The cross gardener engages in conversation with John and they visit other memorials while the cross gardenere works to change the bleak world that John is now living in.
A wonderful look at how tragic losses can change our lives and how one can find hope by listening and trusting in others.
The cross gardener is revealed at the end of the book and I am sure it will come as a surprise to you.
If yoiu have had tragic losses in your life or know someon who has, this book will provide comfort and hope.
"The Cross Gardener" is a very unusual story, a very moving story, and a story that looks at questions that many of us have asked ourselves over and over again.
John Bevan was born on the night his mother was killed in an automobile accident. He was moved from foster home to foster home, and finally found a loving home on an apple orchard run by Wayne Bevan.
John marries his high school sweetheart and becomes the father to a daughter. His life is shattered again when his father dies. He inherits the orchard and settles down to a good life with his wife and daughter. Tragedy strikes again when his wife and unborn son are killed in an autombile accident.
Johm, immersed in sorrow and self pity, retreats from life and love. The orchard falls into disrepair and more impotantly he becomes removed from his daughter.
John erects small crosses at the scene of the accident and visits every day. Finding himself at the probably the lowest point of his life he finds a young man attending to the crosses, both cleaning the area around them and painting them.
The cross gardener engages in conversation with John and they visit other memorials while the cross gardenere works to change the bleak world that John is now living in.
A wonderful look at how tragic losses can change our lives and how one can find hope by listening and trusting in others.
The cross gardener is revealed at the end of the book and I am sure it will come as a surprise to you.
If yoiu have had tragic losses in your life or know someon who has, this book will provide comfort and hope.
September 7, 2011
Tearjerker would be an understated way to describe The Cross Gardener. Just when I thought I was finished crying, I'd start all over again. My poor, poofy eyes and stuffy nose.
The Cross Gardener tells the emotional story of John Bevan. The details of his birth and then adoption were given factually. Although the birth story wasn't happy, it was a detail. But, Jason F. Wright painted a picture of John's adolescence and young adulthood that drew me in.
I was heartbroken when John's wife and baby died in a car accident. I mourned along with him and his daughter. I was curious about the cross gardener. I worried about John, and hoped that Lou Lou would start talking again.
A very touching story about love and loss, hope and living.
The Cross Gardener tells the emotional story of John Bevan. The details of his birth and then adoption were given factually. Although the birth story wasn't happy, it was a detail. But, Jason F. Wright painted a picture of John's adolescence and young adulthood that drew me in.
I was heartbroken when John's wife and baby died in a car accident. I mourned along with him and his daughter. I was curious about the cross gardener. I worried about John, and hoped that Lou Lou would start talking again.
A very touching story about love and loss, hope and living.
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August 2, 2011Another great book by Jason F. Wright. I knew there was going to be a twist at the end but I definitely didn't predict what it was! This is about a man, John Bevan, who tragically loses his wife and unborn child in a car accident. He is overcome with grief and finds it hard to accomplish any day-to-day tasks. He visits the crash site often, where he has constructed two white crosses, and one day he meets another man there who is tending to the crosses. At first, John does not want this "Cross Gardener" tending to his crosses. They eventually strike up a friendship, and John learns a great deal about life and death from the man called The Cross Gardener.
June 2, 2011
On the cover, Don Piper is quoted: "Fresh and spiritual". I would have said: "Predictable and sappy". But that is not necessarily a bad thing as I would have been saying it through the runny nose and streaming tears on the airplane with the other passengers looking at me like I had lost it. 'The Cross Gardener" is an exploration of loss, of grief, and of survival. It is christian fiction and, therefore, also an exploration of spirituality and God's role in the lives of believers and non-believers alike.
Unlike much of the christian literature I have read, 'The Cross Gardener' does not come off as some evangelical preacher's attempt to convert the reader. That doesn't mean that Jason Wright doesn't try and teach the reader - or perhaps better said - lead the reader to an understanding of his own personal beliefs using the novel as a vehicle. He does. But the religious tract does come off as more of an exploration than as Bible thumping.
The novel reminded me very much of 'A Walk to Remember' by Nicholas Sparks. Religious girl meets non-religious boy, they fall in love, their perfect life is torn apart by means beyond their control, life goes on. (there are no spoilers there. That much you could get from the back of the book.) Unlike 'A Walk to Remember', 'The Cross Gardener' follows the events following the tearing apart of the perfect life. I really loved how Mr. Wright focused on men, and especially on fathers and their influence on the lives around them.
Like I said, it is sappy and predictable - it is also lovely and emotional; sweet and naive with no edge. After reading the last page, wipe away the tears, heave a big sigh, smile a little and walk away with a heart that feels just a little lighter - right over to the man in your life and give him a well deserved hug.
Unlike much of the christian literature I have read, 'The Cross Gardener' does not come off as some evangelical preacher's attempt to convert the reader. That doesn't mean that Jason Wright doesn't try and teach the reader - or perhaps better said - lead the reader to an understanding of his own personal beliefs using the novel as a vehicle. He does. But the religious tract does come off as more of an exploration than as Bible thumping.
The novel reminded me very much of 'A Walk to Remember' by Nicholas Sparks. Religious girl meets non-religious boy, they fall in love, their perfect life is torn apart by means beyond their control, life goes on. (there are no spoilers there. That much you could get from the back of the book.) Unlike 'A Walk to Remember', 'The Cross Gardener' follows the events following the tearing apart of the perfect life. I really loved how Mr. Wright focused on men, and especially on fathers and their influence on the lives around them.
Like I said, it is sappy and predictable - it is also lovely and emotional; sweet and naive with no edge. After reading the last page, wipe away the tears, heave a big sigh, smile a little and walk away with a heart that feels just a little lighter - right over to the man in your life and give him a well deserved hug.
April 3, 2010
I started this book just two days before my own family was in an auto collision, so obviously that will shadow my review. I liked the message about Listening that was a theme of this book. I had a hard time with the father being wrapped up in his own grief and not being able to extend himself to his daughter for such a long time. I can understand it considering all he'd been through and that he needed time to fully grieve, but I think if it had been a mother that survived, the daughter would have been assisted in moving through her own grief much sooner. I was totally surprised when the identity of the Cross Gardener was revealed and it was because I was wanting to know his identity that I kept plugging away at this book, despite my own difficulty of dealing with personal injuries, children with their own issues to resolve post-collision, insurance claims, and replacing a totaled car.
September 17, 2010
Meh. The writing was too choppy at times...like he wanted to emphasize so many points that there were too many of those one-short-sentence paragraphs. Mostly I felt like I'd read this book before (The Five People You Meet in Heaven; The Peacegiver; Tuesdays With Morrie; Have a Little Faith; The Holy Secret)...I'm not a major fan of the "slightly clueless guy meets wise, mysterious mentor" formula, I guess. It was a sweet book, but it seemed to have an exaggerated sense of its own depth and wisdom.
December 28, 2010
There is nothing better than a story that keeps you wanting more... The Cross Gardner is the first book I have read by Jason F. Wright. Such an excellent concept about the 'crosses' often seen on the side of the road. Surely, everyone has wondered at some point about the life lost when passing the roadside markers. Having lost a child to a car accident, I for one can say Mr. Wright captured how I felt at the time of my loss.
Beautiful writing... I look forward to reading his other works.
Beautiful writing... I look forward to reading his other works.
June 20, 2012
Jason F. Wright is one of my top favorite authors (The Wednesday Letters, The Wedding Letters and numerous holiday books). This book fails to meet my expectations. The subject was down right tragic, gloomy and not lifting at all compared to his usual love/trouble/happiness in the end.
1* keeper only because it is Jason F. Wright
On the upside, I found it at B&N clearance for $2.00
1* keeper only because it is Jason F. Wright
On the upside, I found it at B&N clearance for $2.00
May 10, 2010
This was a read-in-one sitting book. Moving account of man and his daughter following the death of his wife and unborn son in a freak auto accident. I thought I had it all figured out partly through the book, but I was completely wrong.
June 24, 2017
This was a book that kept my interest all the way till the end. I found it very uplifting leaving me feeling very content. It made me think about people I have lost and life and death but in a very spiritual way. It made me think about the little signs that I receive that show me those that have passed are still with me and not that far away!
May 20, 2024
By page 65 I was devastated, even angry at the extreme loss and bombardment of grief. Life often does throw an awful lot at us and this book matches that with blow after blow. Of course, as anticipated, the author redirected with a story of healing but I didn’t enjoy the route he took as much as I had hoped.
January 3, 2019
I'm not sure what I thought of this book. It was interesting but definitely unusual. Gave me something to think about!
March 18, 2017
I almost didn't read this because of a review I read but I didn't have anything else to read. We each deal with grief in a different way but having to deal with a child's grief is beyond comprehension. I could feel his pain and struggle to cope with a loss.
July 31, 2020
When John loses his wife and unborn child in a tragic accident, he becomes lost in his grief. Even to the point, John is not there for his daughter, as he should be He places two wooden crosses in the spot where it happened. Each day, he needs to go where the crosses are placed. One day he finds a man painting the crosses and tidying up the spot. He, of course, does not like this at all. Over time, the man who calls himself the cross gardener, befriends John, and from there the story begins. Sweet, religious story.
January 3, 2011
John Bevan was adopted along with the other older two boys in his family: Scott and Tim. Their adoptive father was an Apple Orchardist with his own father.
This family suffered through a lot of tragedy. John’s mother died in a tragic car accident but doctor’s were able to save John. John’s adoptive Grandpa finally dies and then his college age adopted brother, Tim, who drowned in the Atlantic Ocean died and is just too many losses for such a young man like John to endure.
During high school, John meets Emma Jane and falls in love with her. Somehow he just knows Emma Jane is the woman he’s going to marry and he does, eventually. Together they have a beautiful daughter whom they name Lou Lou, a cute, precocious and smart little girl who is the light of their lives. Soon Emma Jane is pregnant again and through ultra-sound learn this new baby is going to be a boy so they name him Willard. Tragically, Emma Jane is in a car accident one night and she dies along with her and John’s unborn baby, Willard. Doctor’s efforts to deliver Willard are successful but their attempts to save his life are not.
John, filled with overwhelming grief immediately withdraws from all aspects of life and love. He decides to build and erect two crosses at the scene of Emma Jane’s accident – one for Emma Jane and one for baby Willard. Leaving Lou Lou behind with Emma Janes parents, John visits the crosses each and every day in his ever deepening grief and sorrow and when one day he meets a man who appears to be repainting and caring for the crosses John made and erected he begins to have conversations with this strange man whose only name seems to be the “Cross Gardener”. Soon John realizes that he his healing more and more with every conversation he has with this man. But...it isn’t until they take a journey together that John really comes to see what he must embrace in this world, from the secrets of his past to the sorrow of his wife’s passing – if he is to start his life anew. And only as this journey ends does John realize “who” this ‘Cross Gardener’ may have been all along.
You will be so totally surprised by the ending of this story and to find out “who” the ‘Cross Gardener’ is.
Jason F. Wright’s ability to write stories of the heart is phenomenal and reminds me a lot of Richard Paul Evans. I’ve read some of Wright’s other novels like ‘The Christmas Sweater’ and the ‘Wednesday Letters’ and each was as truthful and touching as this one!! This is a story that everyone, young and old, will enjoy and it will satisfy and leave you with a lot to think about.
This family suffered through a lot of tragedy. John’s mother died in a tragic car accident but doctor’s were able to save John. John’s adoptive Grandpa finally dies and then his college age adopted brother, Tim, who drowned in the Atlantic Ocean died and is just too many losses for such a young man like John to endure.
During high school, John meets Emma Jane and falls in love with her. Somehow he just knows Emma Jane is the woman he’s going to marry and he does, eventually. Together they have a beautiful daughter whom they name Lou Lou, a cute, precocious and smart little girl who is the light of their lives. Soon Emma Jane is pregnant again and through ultra-sound learn this new baby is going to be a boy so they name him Willard. Tragically, Emma Jane is in a car accident one night and she dies along with her and John’s unborn baby, Willard. Doctor’s efforts to deliver Willard are successful but their attempts to save his life are not.
John, filled with overwhelming grief immediately withdraws from all aspects of life and love. He decides to build and erect two crosses at the scene of Emma Jane’s accident – one for Emma Jane and one for baby Willard. Leaving Lou Lou behind with Emma Janes parents, John visits the crosses each and every day in his ever deepening grief and sorrow and when one day he meets a man who appears to be repainting and caring for the crosses John made and erected he begins to have conversations with this strange man whose only name seems to be the “Cross Gardener”. Soon John realizes that he his healing more and more with every conversation he has with this man. But...it isn’t until they take a journey together that John really comes to see what he must embrace in this world, from the secrets of his past to the sorrow of his wife’s passing – if he is to start his life anew. And only as this journey ends does John realize “who” this ‘Cross Gardener’ may have been all along.
You will be so totally surprised by the ending of this story and to find out “who” the ‘Cross Gardener’ is.
Jason F. Wright’s ability to write stories of the heart is phenomenal and reminds me a lot of Richard Paul Evans. I’ve read some of Wright’s other novels like ‘The Christmas Sweater’ and the ‘Wednesday Letters’ and each was as truthful and touching as this one!! This is a story that everyone, young and old, will enjoy and it will satisfy and leave you with a lot to think about.
April 19, 2011
Generally, I like books that are funny or have an overall happy atmosphere. If that's you, too, skip this one. But if grief is (or has been) your constant companion, this one has some wonderful moments and lessons. I cried periodically all through this thoughtful book. It had some funny moments, but not enough to lift you out of its solemnness. A young man loses his wife and unborn child -- not a spoiler, this much is on the dust cover. He has a 5-year-old daughter who also survives, but he is so devastated he can't care for her properly and may lose her to caring relatives. His exploration of loss, life, death, eternity and the healing power of faith in eternity consume the rest of the book. Each character is well drawn and most of them have flaws that make them realistic. I have felt grief this deep (as has everyone who lives long enough on this earth), just not for this long, thank heaven, because of my faith, so I could relate to the character. But it made me remember those deepest moments of grief, so the pain is relived. Very worth reading -- but read something light right after you finish this one.
September 17, 2015
One thing about being simplistically spiritual in my own way is that I believe there is a purpose for everyone whether it is in our mortal life or after death, and in this journey called life, we are never truly alone in the world. This book says exactly that without getting religiously boring.
I would have given this book 5 stars, but the ending ended very abruptly. I had to re read the last 5 pages to make sure I didn't miss anything the Cross Gardner had to share about his true identity. I felt his brief explanation as to who he is did not life up to the actual mouth dropping twist of finding out what his identity was. It was as if I was hiking a not so steep mountain, that once I had reached the top, was left kinda hanging on the edge as if I expected there to be something more. The ending could have easily been another 20 pages of explaining how the Cross Gardener was, in a sense, a reincarnated soul and becoming so in such a short period of time for what age he appeared to be (as it was evident the cross Gardner was able to be physically interactive with other characters who played a brief role in the book).
I would have given this book 5 stars, but the ending ended very abruptly. I had to re read the last 5 pages to make sure I didn't miss anything the Cross Gardner had to share about his true identity. I felt his brief explanation as to who he is did not life up to the actual mouth dropping twist of finding out what his identity was. It was as if I was hiking a not so steep mountain, that once I had reached the top, was left kinda hanging on the edge as if I expected there to be something more. The ending could have easily been another 20 pages of explaining how the Cross Gardener was, in a sense, a reincarnated soul and becoming so in such a short period of time for what age he appeared to be (as it was evident the cross Gardner was able to be physically interactive with other characters who played a brief role in the book).
November 16, 2019
I was really frustrated with John throughout most of this book! I've been through some hard times, in fact, tragic, scary times--in my life. Guess what? I didn't check out like he did! He seemed weak! I didn't have children, so that wasn't a responsibility I had to deal with. John did....and he didn't! So for most of the book, I was just plain upset with the main character. I kept reading, though. I figured it would end okay. I did end up liking the book but not until I completely finished it. Great twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all! I'm a firm believer in God and in Heaven. There are angels who are with us every day. After reading this book, I really started wondering about who my personal angel actually is. I'll know one day! Recommend this book!
December 1, 2017
The Cross Gardener was a very good and well written book although I do not believe in "angels" or Cross Gardeners appearing and actually walking people through times of loss and grief. Knowing it was fiction and not a spiritual manual, I read it with interest. However, the ending undid it for me. I found it unnecessary and as if the writer was just ready to end the book and said, "Why not make it as weird as possible!" I will recommend it because I did enjoy the read, but the ending still bothers me.
December 9, 2011
Ok, so no secret that the only time I usually update this is when I find a book I really like. I think this book is one of the few that makes me what to stop reading for a while (a few days) to absorb the wonderful message that this book has. A summary would ruin the plot but the message is that no one dies alone. The love that God has for us is obvious. This is the 2nd book by Jason Wright that has really made an impact on me. I will look forward to more. Read this book.
March 14, 2010
Author of The Wednesday Letters. I found the beginning a bit too fast/choppy, the skipping of multiple years in one sentence left me wanting more. I found it a wonderful book, with a great message. Looks like he asked a few different people for help with this book, including Sheri Dew. Interesting huh? Would love to know what you think about the book.
June 5, 2014
This was fabulous! A MUST read! I am sort of shocked I found such a good book at Dollar Tree! Sorry Jason F. Wright! This book shouldn't of been there..but I am glad it was! This book is about grief and I think that its a must read for those who are having trouble after loosing someone!
Thank you Jason F. Wright! GREAT BOOK!!
Thank you Jason F. Wright! GREAT BOOK!!
January 28, 2011
This book is so sad that I almost gave up on it. If you are in that same spot, I strongly encourage you to keep reading. The end is worth it, and I sure didn't see it coming. I think my favorite of Wright's books is still Recovering Charles, but this one is a close second.
June 14, 2014
The Nicholas Sparks type story went on and on. If it had been 1/2 the length maybe I could have read the whole book. After the story dragged on, I started skipping chapters. I should have just skipped to the last chapter and the predictable ending.
December 14, 2016
I like Jasons Wright books because they are short and the plots are interesting and surprising. The Cross gardener seemed to have potential.However, I felt that the relationship between the cross gardener and John was forced. The chapter of Answers did not answer my answers and left me hanging...
March 26, 2010
I usually love this author, but this was not my favorite.
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