“Everything that happens to me in this life is divine,” Milien writes. This holistic perspective unfortunately leads him to mingle recollections of religious discovery and personal pathos in a work that has no obvious audience. Readers interested more in the spiritual side of Milien’s story may weary of the recollections of mundane interactions with people Milien has known. Those drawn in by the angst of childhood trauma and romantic difficulty may skim the paragraphs devoted to religious philosophy. A disjointed writing style occasionally overwhelms the book’s dramatic and inspiring elements.
A significant drawback to Milien’s profoundly personal story of finding a spiritual path is his assumption that readers are familiar with the religions he explored and with Barbarin’s writing. Discussions of what Milien found attractive or off-putting in different faiths would have increased the work’s value for readers seeking their own enlightenment.
Takeaway: Christian readers may glean some nuggets of insight from Milien’s unconventional journey to finding happiness and a faith that fits.
Great for fans of: Eckhart Tolle, Joyce Meyer
Production grades:
Cover: B
Design and typography: -
Illustrations: -
Editing: B-
Marketing copy: B