The Point by William E. Jefferson

The Point: The Redemption of Oban Ironbout 

In his breakout novel of spiritual revelation, William E. Jefferson invites readers on a journey of discovery where "joy and meaning break through pain."

Hollie and Goodwin Macbreeze, a young couple in search of refreshment and inspiration, travel to the metaphorical island of Estillyen where creative monks stage dramatic readings of biblical stories. While Hollie focuses on the readings, Goodwin has another goal: to search out the house he sketched as a boy, and possibly meet its reclusive owner, Oban Ironbout, a former friend of Goodwin's grandfather. The unlikely and unwelcome relationship Hollie and Goodwin form with Ironbout brings him out of his years of bitterness and into the monk community and their fascinating ways with words. In the process, the couple discovers unexpected answers to their own dilemmas.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Handlebar Marketing as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 I have to give this one more of a mixed review. There is no doubt that the book is well written by someone who loves words. I guess I am simply too pragmatic to get into the fanciful names of the monks, the animals, etc. None of the characters really came to life for me and the detailed descriptions caused my mind to wander so much that I would lose interest in the book. I would start to get into the flow of the story when it would change to a different storyline. I guess one could say, I lost the point of what is going on. I did look at some of the biblical readings from a new slant, which is good, but I would have preferred reading them as one book and the Oban Ironbout story as another. I plan on reading the book that way later, but I was asked to read the book as it is written. I can appreciate that this is a book that many people will find insightful, but it just isn't a style for me.