Tilly: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Novella of Grace
Review: A novel? To be more accurate, this a novella that requires no more than 75 minutes to read. 75 minutes that could bring hope and reconciliation. Turn off that sitcom and enjoy a worthy story.

Peretti, with ease and grace, relates the story of Dan and Kathy. This couple has teenage kids, years of marriage, but something dark has come between them. Kathy confines herself to her bed, burdened by secrets that threaten her soul and her family. As the story unfolds, we discover the truth about the graveyard pictured on the front cover--and Kathy discovers the truth of God's love and forgiveness, despite her shortcomings.

Other reviews have attacked Peretti's theological approach to abortion here, but this is not a theological book about abortion. It's a book about grace. About the light of Jesus in the midst of dark sin. According to the Bible, it's "His kindness that leads us to repentance."

This short tale should be read by young teens (as a warning) and adults (as a ray of hope). Although its brevity avoids some of the deeper issues involved here, "Tilly" gives us a much needed reminder of "the peace that surpasses all understanding."

Rating:
Summary: better for mature readers
Review: I first read this book when I was about 9 years old after hearing about it church. I loved the story then, even though looking back on it now, I don't think I completely understood it. I reread the book when I turned 20 when it was given to me as a birthday gift, and cried through the whole thing. It meant so much more to me now that I understood more, and had actually had close friends go through the painful process of of aborting their unborn children. Some people may say that it is "too pro-life" or that it puts women who have choosen abortion in a bad light. In my opinion, it does just the opposite. It shows the loving forgiveness of a God who truly cares for His people. Even though the woman in the story sinned by taking the life of her child, she is forgiven and loved and freed from the horrible guilt caused by her decision. It serves as a reminder of His true deep love and compassion for the human race

Rating:
Summary: Excellent. A deeply moving story
Review: The book will change you - you won't get away with simply reading it and moving on. Peretti's skills are unusual, and I believe will probably be reckoned so for some time to come.

The story is about a woman coming to terms with an incident in her life from the past - doubtlessly repeated in many peoples lives, and one might be tempted to view the book as a somewhat polarised account of such a life. But this isn't true for this novel. The story stops way short of allowing such petty evaluations, and in a remarkable series of episodes shows a glimpse of heaven itself, and the depth of God's love in such a way that the mere issue of abortion is transcended altogether in a illustration of the vastness and glory of God, and of the tremendous significance of his love directed towards men, women, and children.

I should warn any potential readers that the book will almost certainly move you to tears regardless of your circumstances; the depiction of heaven is quite astonishing and will probably stay with you for some time.

Not only is the issue of abortion touched on, but many aress close to the problems of pain and the death of children are addressed. The answers it gives are remarkable and satisfying...

This book is not so much about abortion, as about the compassion and wisdom of God. This definitely deserves reading.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: This book isn't typical of Frank Peretti; it's thin enough to be mistaken for a children's book, when it's anything but. It was originally a radio drama, which accounts for the short version in print, but the fact that it's short and to the point doesn't diminish its beauty or its message. Most women who go through with an abortion live to regret it, maybe not right away, but sometime during their lives. It's too bad that unlike the woman in the story, not everyone gets a chance to meet that child and tell them they're sorry before finally meeting them in Heaven.