Review of The Story People
Heather Kaufman is a talented writer and I can see why CPH published this book. It was very pleasant and better than your average book. I would even go so far as to say better than 95% of specifically Christian novels I’ve read.
It was a delightful story, tying together past with the present and working with the tensions we all carry about pasts, presents, and futures. It had practically no objectionable qualities. I happily loaned it to my mother, excitedly even, so she could read it, too. (She also whipped through it in a day and generally enjoyed it. “Charming!” just may have been exchanged.)
The only reason I’m giving this four stars instead of five is because CPH exists to serve in the proclamation of the Gospel. The book missed the mark on that. It may call the local congregation Lutheran—it may even name a Lutheran artist or two—but leaps of faith can, well, overextend past where God has put you.
Heather, you did a great job. I think your fine work will bring in good profits for you and CPH, and, CPH, I totally see why you published it—it’s a good book. But even some slight tweaking would have brought out the Gospel and God’s work over our own.
Ok. Outside of the review, I think I have three dream jobs:
- Selling my ideas
- Encouraging Lutherans
- Theological tweaking. Seriously, it takes a stalwart mind and a light hand, but we really can emphasize the amazing gifts Lutheranism highlights in the forgiveness of our sins, the centrality of Christ and God’s work for us, vocation, the means of grace, the two kingdoms, simul et peccator, etc! I may have temporarily give up on technical editing, but I’d love to have a chance with theological editing work!
