Spencer Stuart. Denver, Colo.: Outskirts Press, 2014. 799 pp. (Paperback).
Did you notice how many pages this book has? That is not a typo — it really has 799 pages of story, not appendices and front matter. That’s a lot of pages. But let’s talk about the story first.
In spite of the formidable length I enjoyed the book. The fictional story focuses on a Baptist pastor and the trials he faces, mostly through no fault of his own. While some of the characters border on caricatures — or at least, types — they are generally believable and well developed. Any Baptist will be immediately comfortable with the settings and the characters, the business meetings and the church structures. I know that church and those people and you do too. I recognized controversial denominational leaders and Alabama’s beloved Junior Hill even makes an appearance. There is no doubt about the author’s background.
It is not just a good story though. The overarching message is God’s provision and His faithfulness to us, driven home by the title and the ending, which I won’t give away.
If the author would cut the length by half I think he would have a successful book. The interesting story is burdened by too many details that do little to advance the action. As it is, the sheer size of the book is daunting and will prevent many from reading it.
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