I stepped a bit out of my comfort zone with the latest novel I read, although I did so unintentionally. When presented with the mysterious sounding plot of Erin Healy’s new novel, The Promises She Keeps, I was intrigued, and being unfamiliar with Healy’s previous work, I was unaware that I would be reading in the Christian fiction genre. What I discovered was a smartly written story that incorporated a religious belief system into the plot, without being an overtly religious novel.
Suffering from cystic fibrosis since a very young age, Promise is regularly forced to confront her mortality, although she secretly harbors a dream that she will live forever in people’s hearts if she can only achieve mass fame for her incredible singing talents. As she’s pursuing her big break, she becomes intertwined in the lives of a fellow college student who seems to bring misfortune her way again and again, as well as with his mother, a local art dealer whose own quest involves a more literal sense of immortality. Rounding out the major characters is another talented local artist, a man with autism who has a deeper connection to people than most believe.
I was pleased that the Healy’s writing was both thoughtful and impacting even for readers who don’t share the same belief system. A mysterious tone permeates this novel, and the characters at conflict with their desires and current life situations are interesting and compelling. The concept of immortality- both in body and in legend- are explored through different characters, and there’s a running theme of the everlasting life that is promised through Christianity, although it does not push the book into proselytizing territory. The Promises She Keeps will undoubtedly be enjoyed by established fans of Healy’s writing, and those unfamiliar with her work, or even the genre, should give this captivating novel a read.
Dawn usually lives in the comfortable zone of contemporary mainstream fiction, but every once in a while she likes to step outside of it just for a little taste of the literary unknown. She blogs at my thoughts exactly.
When I saw your draft in there, I figured the “Christian” fiction label was an error!
I know that there are many who aren’t looking for the spiritual aspect of the book who choose to read Christian fiction because they are looking for clean reads. Much of it is like this — not preachy, but faith is just a part of one or more character’s lives.
Glad to see this objective review from a first-time reader of the genre!
Hee hee- I thought I’d surprise you! 🙂 To tell the truth, I didn’t realize it was in this category until I received it in the mail.
Your description of some Christian fiction matches this one perfectly. It was a suspenseful and somewhat supernatural storyline, and Christian beliefs were important in one character’s life. The argument could be made, and was possibly intended by the author, that there is a bit of allegory throughout the story, but for people of different faiths or beliefs, this doesn’t make the story inaccessible.
I haven’t heard of this book. It sounds like something that I will have to check out!
If you do read it, I’d love to hear your opinion!
Sounds like a good one! I appreciate books that are written from a Christian worldview but aren’t preachy, after all it is supposed to be fiction. 🙂
That’s a great point, Trish, but I never thought about it that way. I can learn from characters in novels — their mistakes, their past, their present choices — without being beat over the head with it!
I’m thinking this book might be a good fit for you then, Trish!