The Point, by William E. Jefferson Review

I had the great opportunity to review The Point, The Redemption of Oban Ironbout, by William E. Jefferson.

The Book



In his breakout novel of spiritual revelation, William E. Jefferson invites readers on a journey of discovery where "joy and meaning break through pain."

Hollie and Goodwin Macbreeze, a young couple in search of refreshment and inspiration, travel to the metaphorical island of Estillyen where creative monks stage dramatic readings of biblical stories. While Hollie focuses on the readings, Goodwin has another goal: to search out the house he sketched as a boy, and possibly meet its reclusive owner, Oban Ironbout, a former friend of Goodwin's grandfather. The unlikely and unwelcome relationship Hollie and Goodwin form with Ironbout brings him out of his years of bitterness and into the monk community and their fascinating ways with words. In the process, the couple discovers unexpected answers to their own dilemmas.

The book's style has been compared to John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, C. S. Lewis'The Screwtape Letters, and William Young's The Shack.

About William Jefferson
William Jefferson--founder of Port Estillyen Productions--has spent his professional career advancing Scripture mission programs through diverse forms of media. After 25 years of strategic leadership on behalf of well-known Bible societies and evangelization organizations, Jefferson is uniquely positioned to present Scripture's ancient truths, in a modern context of media and culture.

Jefferson helped to structure and implement global initiatives and programs for prominent organizations such as the American Bible Society, United Bible Societies, the International Bible Society (Biblica), and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He holds a master of theology degree in Theology and Media from the University of Edinburgh, and a master of arts degree in Communications from Wheaton Graduate School. 

MY TAKE:

The style of the book was the one thing that was a problem for me.  Don't get me wrong...its message was incredible, but I had a hard time reading it, as I did The Pilgrim's Progress, The Screwtape Letters and currently having trouble with The Shack.  All of those books were fantastic...once I made it through them, but it was incredibly difficult for me to make it through those books, and The Point was no exception.  It does have a very solid story though, and I was able to take away quite a bit, but just really struggled to get through it.  If you had no trouble with the above books, The Point will be very easy and fast for you to read.  If you are like me though, you may want to take your time to get through it.  It's message is solid and undeniably a unique presentation of the Gospel.  It is worth a read to anyone.....but especially to those who enjoy that style of writing.

*I was given the opportunity to review this book by Handlebar Publishing.  I was given no monetary compensation, only an advanced copy of the book to read and give my honest review.*