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Type of bind: Kindle Edition
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
Format: Kindle Book
Label: Berkley
Manufacturer: Berkley
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 336
Printing Date: August 05, 2008
Publishing house: Berkley
Release Date: August 05, 2008
Sale Popularity Level: 8871
Studio: Berkley
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From the author of Catching Genius, a novel of a young man's search for faith -- and its unintended consequences.At age twelve, Marshall Tobias saw his best friend killed by a train. It was then that he began his search for faith -- delving into one tradition, then discarding it for another. His parents, however, have little time for spiritual contemplation. Their focus has been on his little sister Megan, who suffers from severe food allergies. Now Marshall is home from college with his very first real girlfriend, but there is more to Ada than meets the eye -- including her beliefs about the evils of medical intervention. What follows is a crisis that tests not only faith, but the limits of family, forgiveness, and our need to believe.
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Rated by buyers -
As I was reading MATTERS OF FAITH, I kept wanting to ask the author, "Where have you been all my life?" In truth, this is only Ms. Kiernan's second novel, and now I can't wait to read her first, CATCHING GENIUS.
MATTERS OF FAITH is not only beautifully written, but so much more: It is a heartbreaking look at what ties a family together as well as the very nature of faith. I've recommended it to my book group, as it will certainly spark a deep and wonderful discussion.
Rated by buyers 
-
At very first glance, the Tobiases of the Gulf Coast of Florida could pass for the quintessential American family: breadwinning dad Cal, who runs tour and fishing boats; mom Chloe, who restores art when she has the time; college student son Marshall, seeking the meaning of life; and adolescent daughter Meghan.
But Chloe's (and thus the family's) life and attention revolve around Meghan, whose potentially deadly food allergies demand constant vigilance and dwarf other problems and concerns. Chloe lives in a daily state of dread, worried about what could happen to Meghan.
And then her worst fears come true.
For Marshall not only lusts after God, he also lusts after the beautiful and mysterious Ada Sparks, whom he brings home for a visit. As Ada is something of a religious zealot, Marshall can indulge both his lusts simultaneously and still feel good about it.
But like most lustful young men, he easily loses his backbone as he watches Ada, out to prove a point, feed an allergen to Meghan. God doesn't intervene: Meghan falls into a coma, Marshall and Ada go on the lam, and the resulting tension exposes all the cracks in Chloe and Cal's marriage.
Just another day at the Florida beach this is not.
It is, however, a great read, structured into the first-person story of Chloe, as she navigates through this family disaster, and the third-person story of Marshall, as he instigates and then attempts to right it. Orbiting around mother and son are Cal, who tries to create some semblance of a normal life even as Meghan lies unresponsive in a hospital bed; Meghan, who dominates the family even when comatose; and Grandma Tobias, the harsh religious fanatic whom Cal rejected as a mother long ago.
In MATTERS OF FAITH, Marshall instigates the action, but Chloe provides the insight. Marshall searches for a religious awakening, and much of the book revolves around the hope for Meghan's literal awakening. But Chloe is the one who wakes up: coping with crisis opens her eyes to the true nature of the people around her and the dynamics of her family.
She comes to realize that, although she is a talented and accomplished restorer of paintings, it is Cal's steady, uncomplaining daily work that keeps the family afloat and allows her to devote herself to Meghan and pursue her "career" as more of a hobby. Eventually Chloe begins to re-evaluate her mate, her marriage and herself; even seemingly unrelated occurrences, like a visit from the police, set her musing:
"I'd imagined that I was the warmer partner when I had been in college and Cal and I had met, the more intelligent, the more desirable friend. But when we'd moved here, it had been made clear that Cal was the preferred half of the couple, including, no especially with the women. I was not to be trusted, and it took a long time for me to realize that I was the one seen as cold, distant, self-absorbed."
Similarly, Chloe's vision of herself as fierce Mama Bear undergoes a transformation. She is fiercely protective not only of the fragile Meghan but also of the miscreant Marshall --- her husband's anger at Marshall and insistence he take responsibility for hurting Meghan drive Chloe deeper away from her husband, and, she knows, "when Marshall realized he was out of his depth, I would be the one he came to."
Yet Marshall very first seeks out his crazy-like-a-fox grandmother --- admittedly out of necessity --- when he is on the run. And when he decides to come back and face his problems, it is Cal, not Chloe, who he dials.
Kristy Kiernan's book isn't perfect. There are some disturbing extraneous elements that go nowhere --- such as Chloe's interactions with the ER doctor who fingers Marshall to the police --- and a confusing foray into Ada's background and an FBI hunt for her. But these are minor problems in a thoughtful and lyrical account of one woman's coming to terms with her life, and herself. Kiernan doesn't flinch at the end; there is no fairy tale happily-ever-after.
Yet we are left with hope as the members of the Tobias family come out of a tragic situation with the compassion and desire to work their way back to each other.
Which, in the end, is what families, and faith, are about.
--- Reviewed by Pat Morris
Rated by buyers -
I enjoyed Catching Genius and was lucky enough to get an Advanced Reader Copy of Matters of Faith.
It was a compelling and thought provoking read- I finished it in one sitting- I recommend it highly to book clubs as they will find much to discuss.
Rated by buyers -
Kristy Kiernan tells a wonderful story in "Matters of Faith" - very thought provoking. This book should be on the top of any book club's list! I thoroughly enjoyed "Catching Genius" too.
Rated by buyers -
After completing Kristy Kiernan's second novel, Matters of Faith, I came away both saddened and heartened.
(Mostly saddened that it had to end... I was mesmerized throughout.)
The story moved along quickly. There are no periods where I wanted to read quickly and move on: instead I wanted to read every word slowly and watch her images appear through lovely sentences and perfect literary transition.
When I chose a novel, I'm investing my time for what ever period it takes to complete. So it's kind of like this: Why stand at the sink eating out of a Lean Cuisine microwave plate then rush off to the subsequent moment ...
when instead, one may dine slowly, savor each bite, and enjoy the food. That's what this book was like.
So eat slowly and chew carefully, readers. You'll be in for a lovely dinner.
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