The Healer's Heart: A Modern Novel of the Life of St. Luke

by Diane M. Komp

A contemporary look at the spiritual journey of a doctor named Luke that thoughtfully brings the Gospel physician into our 21st-century world. 

If you have no cause worth dying for, do you have a reason to live?

While sorting through family papers following his father’s massive stroke, Dr. Luke Tayspill, Yale Medical School’s top infectious disease specialist, stumbles across a manuscript written decades earlier by his beloved grandfather. The book bears an ominous title, The Deaths of Lukas Tayspill— not death, but deaths.

A closer inspection reveals that the book is about three characters with the same name. The first two Lucas Tayspills were 19th century Quakers who suffered martyrs’ deaths. The third story—set in the future—ends abruptly with the arrival of a Dr. Lucas Tayspill in a plague-ridden, war torn African land. Was his grandfather foretelling Luke’s own life story—and prophesying his death?

Luke sets out on a deeply personal journey to Sierra Leone. But his pilgrimage to understand death leads to a powerful and unexpected encounter with the essence of life. Will Luke fulfill his grandfather’s vision?

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2006

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I was not in the right frame of mind to read this book but it never really pulled me in. There were many interesting characters that were promising but never got fleshed out, the action felt choppy and random, almost like there were pages missing, and the day after I finished it I realized I already couldn't remember how it ended. I did appreciate the author's use of dialect, which provided some color and depth.

[Nora Olmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting spiritual book.....I could not read the translation of the cover before starting to read the new chapter. Part 1 through part Vll. I did need a English dictionary to read this book. This book is a page turner though.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it when stories from the Bible are retold in modern times when it's done right

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

"A Modern Novel of the Life of St. Luke"
Picked it up at the 1/2 price store.
Hmmm. Not really. Started off with an interesting premise but needed an editor big time.
Dr. Luke has strained relationship with father (an atheist), fond memories of grandpa Giles (where he find the family history manuscript Deaths of Lucas Tayspil, separated but now in love with wife Theo who'd been to Sarajevo was crazy and got better after 1 African dance with Preacher Paul's wife (midwife).
Crazy story lines with unbelievable "fixes" to crappy relationships.
Turns out he was adopted even though his crazy, atheist, stroke, hateful father says "I love you" because there was a black side of the family tree.
Luke and Paul and others go to Africa Sierra Leone and in 3 weeks build a house for boy rebel soldiers, heal 1000s get kidnapped. Silly. The Gullah dialect Bible was interesting.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems harsh to say "it was OK" when someone has undertaken to write a book with such a complex plot, but the fact is, I didn't enjoy it that much. I found myself frequently saying, "What?? Did that just happen?? Where did that come from??" and it seemed like everything but the kitchen sink was thrown in. I felt like there were so many events in the plot, but that everything was "flat"--the action didn't rise and fall enough for me to be drawn in emotionally. I didn't grasp any deep spiritual truths from my reading, although I had the feeling that I was supposed to. Did Luke change in this book? How? Perhaps I will think and feel differently after I discuss with my book club. Hope so.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I didn’t know what to think about this book when I picked it up beyond that it was on my to-read list. It was a great book. Quite engrossing yet thought provoking. It was even more poignant as I only have a month before my second year of medical school starts. I highly recommend this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usally when I fall in love with a book, I can't put it down till I'm done. But this time I am savoring ever page. When I'm done reading The Healer's Heart, I want to read it again.

LOVED IT!!!