255 of 261 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Miracle, August 5, 2010
In November 2004, just one month before our son unexpectedly left for heaven, the author, Kevin Malarkey and his son, Alex (age 6) were in a serious accident. I remember reading the CaringBridge updates during our dark days . . . and theirs. I lost track after awhile, until I read that this book was coming out and those memories rushed back. In reading this book, I wonder . . . did my son and little Alex Malarkey cross paths in heaven?!?!?!
The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven is an amazing, true story. Kevin is told by a church member who offers to drive him to the hospital that it looked very bad, and that he did not think Alex had made it and probably had gone to heaven. However, after two months Alex woke up from a coma. The details he could tell about the accident, could not be made up, from what people were wearing, procedures that were done and a man praying over him. He remembered seeing five angels carry his father, and later seeing him put on a flat board and cutting off his clothes. The angels told him his daddy would be okay. Little by little Alex shares stories of heaven, about the music, talking with Jesus and continued sightings of angels.
I so appreciated the honesty of Kevin. Having spent many weeks in ICU with our daughter who has now had three open heart surgeries and having buried two children . . . it's not easy, even for the Christian who knows Scripture and knows God is there. There is spiritual warfare and great weariness. Kevin shared how their marriage took a battering and was "stretched to the breaking point." It gripped my heart to read with having-been-there-understanding, as their pastor friend also shared in the book:
" . . . Kevin and Beth greatly struggled in their marriage. Many times I came to the house to speak with them, counsel them, and pray with them. Those were dark days . . .
. . . It is an absolute miracle, an absolute proof there is a God in Heaven, that their marriage survived and that they are together today. Without God, there is no possible way their marriage would have survived."
Alex is a quadriplegic who has made amazing progress. He was also the first child to receive the "Christopher Reeve Surgery", allowing him to breathe without a ventilator. Their van license plate reads, "Wil Walk". They have hope that is undeniably sustained through their faith in Jesus.
This is an easy reading book, that will keep your attention and in awe. I highly recommend The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven.
The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven was provided to me free of charge by Tyndale House Publishers, in exchange for my honest opinion of it.
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252 of 260 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The boy who came back from heaven, August 20, 2010
For those who have lost a child due to a tragedy or have a child that is currently fighting for their life, this will be a tough read in the beginning. It is about a boy named Alex that was in a car accident at the age of 6 and becomes a quadriplegic. Once he regains conscientiousness and the ability to communicate, he tells his parents of his experience which includes his visit to heaven.
Kevin Malarkey, the boy's father, is very transparent. Throughout the book, he shares with the reader his deepest fears and his shortcomings, including spiritual. In chapter 5 he expresses it with raw emotion - something I admired because not many of us would admit this. "My son couldn't function in the physical world, but it was difficult for me to function in the spiritual world. Who had the greater disability?"
Mr. Malarkey even shared the struggle that all marriages face during the hardships and changes that come with these types of tragedies. It was refreshing to hear a Christian brother share his heart and keep it real.
There is very limited information on Alex' account of heaven but enough for the reader to have a glimpse of our home and most importantly, God's love towards Alex, his family and us all. Some readers may have a tough time with Alex' decision to be obedient in his limited sharing, but it shows that spiritual maturity is not based on age. His greatest concern was to keep it about him - God - and not him - Alex.
The stories about angels were fascinating and will probably challenge the beliefs of many readers. However, for those of you who know that angels are real, his accounts will bring a smile to your face and a tear to the eye.
One thing is for certain, Alex has gone through a life-changing experience and that change has impacted his circle of influence which has grown wider with time and will continue to do so with this book.
I do look forward to the continuation of this story where Alex walks again. However, the reader should be aware that this book is more about this family's struggle then Alex accounts about heaven. It's a good ministerial book for families that are struggling with similar situations.
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89 of 96 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Young Man, July 2, 2010
I read the book in one sitting. I could not put it down. Even for those of us who are believers, this is an amazing story. I believe that this young man is truly blessed by God and that his story is true. He is able to go beyond his physical handicaps which many are not able to do. I highly recommend this book.
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