However, writing the review and reading the book are two totally different experiences. Like all good books, reading this one was no struggle at all. I raced through the pages and I am a slow reader. Step by step I look at every word... thoroughly, but despite my reading impairment, Alicia Britt Chole's (show-lee) new book was a joy. I got the chance to look deep into her experiences leading from atheism to faith and it was amazing. I literally laughed and cried and nodded knowingly throughout the entire book.
As an autobiographical book subtitled, "Reflections of a Former Atheist", Chole's book reveals a compassion for Atheists that is endearing and removes deep-seated stigmas associated with them in Christian circles. She tenderly addresses issues that each have against one another and intelligently defines their positions. Along the way, she shares her personal experiences that intrigue the reader to "just read one more page."
The book takes the reader on a creative journey. Theooze.com says, "'Finding an Unseen God' is written and arranged creatively, nonlinearly in her narrative. If it wasn’t such an overused phrase, dare I say her storytelling style is…postmodern?"
I could not have said it better myself, and I like that word:"nonlinearly". Wikipedia defines a nonlinear narrative is a "technique, sometimes used in literature, film and other narratives, wherein events are portrayed out of chronological order." I asked the author about this:
Rustad: Your book is laid out in an unusual manner (chapters meeting in the middle), how did you end up using this?
Chole: This layout was in my mind before I wrote the first paragraph. I felt that there were two voices/messages to be heard in the book and they would be heard best if I somehow created a harmony between them. I think of words and space as art; I felt the contrast would benefit both voices. It was a risk that I’m so grateful my publisher was willing to take with me.
Chole: Think of the book as having two discussion threads. The undercurrent is a very personal story that begins, well, at my beginning in chapter 1 and culminates with the encounter. It engages the heart. The other thread is a series of reflections on life and faith as a former Atheist that begins the moment after the encounter and culminates with five things I really like about God. It engages the mind.
I must say that I had my doubts about "two voices/messages" from the moment I started reading the book. It begins with the end: chapter 52 and then continues with chapter 1, then 51, 2, 50 and on to the middle of the story. Since I had shared with everyone I knew that I was writing this review, and in turn felt accountable to them, nothing was going to prevent me from finishing the book. I was, however, pleasantly surprised to discover that the author was right: She created a harmony between the two threads running through her book that appealed to me and kept me wanting more. In fact, when I finished the book, I read it again.
Although the book answers many questions, I had a desire to see what went into the creation of the book. So I asked the author:
Rustad: What inspired you to write this book?
Chole: Around ten years ago, the phone began to ring unexpectedly with people inviting me to speak. Whatever the venue, I always began with a condensed version of my journey from Atheism to faith in Jesus and, without fail, people would come up afterwards asking to hear more of the story for themselves or for a loved one; they had a son/daughter, spouse, co-worker, relative…who was an Atheist or Agnostic or who had doubts. Something of the story stirred both hope and a teachable moment in them. Bear and I hoped that someday before I died the door would open for me to put the story in print.
Rustad: What is your writing process, and what keeps you going?
Chole: Writing for me is like a dance. The music begins (a door opens to write another book), and I sense an invitation from God to follow him on a new journey. I know that sounds all artsy and somewhat mystical, but writing is an extremely spiritual, refreshing experience for me. I spend hours, days, months waiting, listening, thinking, wrestling…and at the end of the day even if I don’t have much to show on my computer, my soul has spent the day intentionally being with God. That posture of attentiveness is life-giving for me.
Along with my curiosity about the creation of the book, I was also interested in the before and after experiences she had:
Rustad: Who were your heroes as an Atheist, and who are your heroes now?
Chole: Dad is the only one who had hero-status in my eyes. No question was off-limits. He was a brilliant listener. A master question-asker. He didn’t use emotions to manipulate others. That’s something I’ve always valued.
Chole: My husband is my hero now. Bear has this deep, enduring character that enables him to serve and love without an agenda. He’s a good man without even a hint of performance. His love for me has been healing.
Rustad: What was your family's initial reaction to your "conversion"?
Chole: To call the psychologist. I’m serious. They feared I had fallen in with fruitcakes or had a nervous breakdown. So after consulting a professional, they positioned themselves to catch me when the bottom fell out of my experience. Over the years though, they eventually abandoned that post as they saw faith both steadying and empowering me.
Being a former Atheist (and knowing a few), there was one question hovering in my mind as I read through this book:
Rustad: Do you have friends now that are Atheists ? What is their reaction to your book?
Chole: This question makes me miss Austin, Texas so, so much. In TWELVE YEARS of living in the Ozarks of Missouri, I have only locally met ONE Atheist, a college student with whom I enjoyed a meaningful conversation…and never saw again. My long term friendships with Atheists are with two close family members. We respect one another, but neither have wanted or asked for the book. Regularly though, God graces me with Atheists on planes and in hotels and in waiting rooms and speaking events. Though the interactions sometimes extend beyond the moment to a few months of emails, most of my face-to-face interactions with Atheists these days are short but rich.
Chole: to date, I’ve only had one Atheist contact me directly about the book’s content. She posted publically so I’ll include it below:
- As an atheist, I'd like to say "thank you" for this. Your list [on 3 things not to say to an Atheist] has been written and re-written and re-written again on atheist blogs, but it's very refreshing to see a theist acknowledge that atheists are people, not a walking, talking stereotype. (Cassie)
Writing a review of a book like this was harder than I thought. I should have kept it a secret. However, the book was a "page-turner", the author is a delight and my all around experience was a thrill. I whole-heartedly recommend "Finding and Unseen God: Reflections of a Former Atheist" by Alicia Britt Chole. Check out the author's website at Truth Portraits.
