What kind of life is possible when you finally learn to forgive, trust, and love yourself?
Erik Bernstein wasn’t afraid of death. He was afraid of life. He battled with inadequacy and the feeling that he never belonged. He became an expert at deflecting intimacy to mask his shame, lies, self-doubt, and bad choices. From the time he was eleven years old, or even younger, death was never far from his mind. Needless to say, death was front of mind as he sat in the back corner of the synagogue, watching his own funeral.
Long confused by religion and the belief in an all-knowing sky spirit, Erik is surprised to receive an unexpected invitation to dinner at God’s house. Unsure of who or what God even is, Erik embarks on an introspective journey with his childhood dog, Blondie, where he meets his long-lost best friend and other surprising characters from his life.
Just as he begins to uncover the truths behind his most painful relationships and make peace with the demons that haunted him, Erik has an opportunity to meet God.
And with one question, things become especially uncomfortable.
Dinner at God’s House is a profound and thought-provoking metaphysical novel based loosely on the author’s life. Raw and insightful, it tells a compelling story of mental health, courage, personal growth, forgiveness, faith, spirituality, and healing.
Debut novelist Lieman’s engaging narrative reads like a memoir but is the fictional account of Erik Bernstein and his self-examination of life and mortality. From the age of eleven, Erik has long pondered about death—and, as the story begins, Erik is watching his own funeral from the back of his synagogue. Burdened during life with overwhelming self-doubt, anxiety and shame, Erik has never felt as if he fit in anywhere, despite the friends he sees eulogizing him. Next, he’s transported to another world which might be Heaven, where he is soon issued an invitation to God’s house, inexplicably narrated by the beloved late Chicago Cubs broadcaster, Harry Caray. But rather than the Almighty, a short jester named Fate appears, calling himself God’s court jester.Fate soon explains that situations that appear to be random instead were orchestrated by his machinations. “Many—not all—of those moments are creations of my imagination. They are designed to delight God,” Fate intones. A fellow traveler is shown the unlikely way he met his beloved wife of five decades; another received a promotion when the lost file he’d been fired for reappeared. And Erik is shown the many times during his life that he lost out by not making choices — when it’s too late to do anything about it. Or is it?
Lieman deftly illustrates the weight of mortality carried by all humans, and his polished, inviting prose allows readers to imagine themselves in similar situations. Indeed, he punctuates each chapter with a real-life unlikely situation—including a NICU nurse who cares for a baby and after twenty-eight years and across the country cares for that preemie’s own infant — all examples are footnoted at the end of his story. Anyone who has ever contemplated the meaning of life and its fleeting duration will find deep meaning in Lieman’s words.
Takeaway: This inspiring novel will have readers re-evaluating their own life choices.
Comparable Titles: Mitch Albom, Richard Bach.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
“Nick Hornby meets The Alchemist. Lieman has touched on something in this book that few authors can—handling the greatest mysteries of life, the heartbreaks, and disappointments with so much grace and honesty.”
“I was reminded of Richard Bach’s books as I read Dinner at God’s House. Lieman writes in raw, emotional prose that makes you want to turn the pages quickly as you are carried through each vivid scene. A must-read for those seeking inspiration and fuel for their own spiritual journey.”
“This book is a must-read for those of us who feel and think and grind through the days knowing that with courage there can be peace. Even just for a minute. Dinner at God’s House is not just Lieman’s story. It belongs to all of us. A beautiful and raw story about healing and the choice to live in courage or fear.”
“Dinner at God's House stands out for its multifaceted approach to storytelling, skillfully intertwining philosophical and psychological elements. The book appeals to those who seek a narrative that challenges conventional perspectives on life and death, providing a fresh and engaging reading experience. Lieman's work is commendable for its depth, inviting readers to embark on a journey that is both introspective and enlightening.”
