The Song- a Book Review

The Song was written as a follow up to a movie by the same name. The story isn’t new---a young performer rises to the top and can’t resist the temptations and demons associated with stardom. He falls hard, but comes back to faith and the long, slow process of restoration. Meanwhile his wife and son bear the consequences of his choices. Forgiveness won’t come easily.

In spite of the predictability of the story, the narrative kept my attention and drew me into the hearts and minds of the main characters. The love that draws Jed and Rose together is sweet and tender just like the Song he writes for her. The Song , alive with passion, quickly becomes a hit in Jed’s climb to fame.  When temptress, Shelly, joins the performance, there isn’t much hope that it will remain Jed’s love song to Rose.  The path to Jed’s destruction is slow and progressive.  It is painful to watch the chasm grow between Jed and Rose.

The book’s foreward, by Kyle Idleman, author of Not a Fan, shares the background for the story and the hope that it will portray God’s unfailing love and the beauty and strength of the love between man and woman.  The story is inspired from the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament.  Without being told this was a Song of Solomon story, I would not have made that connection just from reading the book. 

The text is engaging and flows well. The characters are believable, as are the pressures in the music industry. Chris Fabry’s storytelling challenges readers to guard our hearts against the temptations that can tear apart marital love. This story should also be a call to Christ followers to pray for Christian artists who balance work with family and for them to resist the pull to compromise the message of His story in order to pursue wealth and fame. 

Fabry has written other books for youth and adults. I am interested in reading more from this author.

 
I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.