David Lewis Reviews

Added November 8, 2004

Coming Home

Author: David Lewis
Publisher: Bethany House
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: April 2004
Genre: Fiction: Christian
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 0-7642-3677-0
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

Coming Home is the solo debut novel by Christian author, David Lewis. His first attempt was Sanctuary, which he co-authored with best selling author (and his wife), Beverly Lewis. It is important to note that David Lewis is not just riding on the coattails of his wife's success. This man can write, no doubt about it.

While between college degrees, Jessica Lehman accepts an out-of-state summer job. After a romantic break-up, and at the persistence of her roommate, Jessica stops at the small town where she grew up. The memories of her past are haunting. Her mother became very ill at a young age. She and Jessica had more than a special mother-daughter bond that was impossible to separate. So when her mother died, things in Jessica's youth went from bad to worse. Her father became a useless alcoholic to the point where his depression became more powerful than his will to live. Aside from time with her mother, Jessica has only one other fond memory of the past . . . Andy. They were best friends, inseparable. However, at the center of the pain and turmoil was Jessica's interfering grandmother. An old woman whom Jessica blamed for almost everything wrong with the world.

Convinced that without answers to the past she can never move forward, Jessica decides to find and confront her grandmother. Brought up to love Jesus, Jessica has abandoned any faith in Christianity, turning her back on God and His love. Expecting a huge confrontation, Jessica is not ready for the feelings and memories that floor over her. Her grandmother is stern, and strict, but not the monster she recalled. Instead, she insists Jessica stay for a while.

Teaming up with Andy, the two explore the death of Jessica's mother, looking for answers, closure...anything. What they begin to find are more questions that lead to nowhere. The past, according to Jessica's memory, is less than accurate. Truths and secrets and whispering surround her. Submerged and overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, she begins to realize that she cannot do it on her own any longer.

But who can help her? Who can give her answers? Who can give her peace? Her grandmother knows more than she admitting, and so does Andy. What is the conspiracy that has silenced her family and friends? Is the truth so bad that everyone is afraid to speak it?

Coming Home is a literary drama that engrosses the reader. I found when I wasn't able to read, I was thinking about the characters, the story-and trying to figure out what would happen next. Lewis litters the main plot with enough subplots and interesting characters to keep the pace fast and suspenseful. Though the ending is a little abrupt, it did not keep me from getting choked up and reaching for a tissue. Coming Home is powerful. I hate to classify a book as Christian fiction, because it may turn off non-Christian readers. Anyone who enjoys a story about love, family and searching for answers will enjoy Coming Home.

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