Customer Reviews

Facing the Giants: novelization by Eric Wilson

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If you've watch the movie, there aren't a lot of plot surprises in the book. However, Wilson did add quite a bit of depth to the characters and developed some plots that really flesh out the story. While movies can give a good visual of actions, books can provide the motivation behind the actions. Given the small budget of this movie, many scenes that could have been added to enhance the story that I feel sure were not affordable. Well, those are in the book. Here are a few things of interested that were added, but by no means a complete list: more background on David and Larry, behind the scenes with Coach Duke, a greater understanding of Mr. Bridges and his dedication, background on Grant and Brooke, and a greater understanding of the interaction between the players and their motivations. Oh, and a little Georgia football history (loved that little part). Wilson did a great job of more clearly presenting some of the points of the movie. Again, I would guess budget constraints kinda kept these from coming out in the movie, but there really are some great Biblical truths presented. It's also easier to let those sink in when you're reading rather than watching it go by on the screen. Personally, I liked the book better because things were more broadly portrayed and characters more fully developed. If you liked the movie, you'll want to read the book as well.

My wife and I sat down after renting the video 'Facing The Giants' with no inkling of just how good this show would be. The Book is wonderful too! We started to watch it and quickly realized that these are excellent characters, and with a good story line. Some may think this Book/Film to be a little syrupy--but I say 'NO WAY!' This movie/book will melt the 'hardest of hearts' If you can read the entire Book or watch the film without shedding a tear, then you would have to be emotionally bankrupt. When the little field-goal kicker came onto the field to kick the field goal, his crippled father stood to his feet with his hands raised in the air. He was doing two things: Giving Glory to God and secondly inspiring his son showing him: 'you can do it!' Many of the characters in the story exemplify how America really should be. Great stuff! Reverend Kenneth Griffiths Author of ''Oh God Change This Scene!

I received this book Saturday and read it all the way through today, after watching the movie again yesterday. I think the book and the movie make a great combination. I had seen the movie several times, and I think the book added some details that are not seen in the movie. While I was reading the book, I was able to visualize what took place in the movie. Eric Wilson did a wonderful job of putting the movie on paper. I will often return to the book, when I need encouragement, and probably later on watch the movie again.
I think it is important to understand the whole plot before jumping to conclusions. It's easy to think this is nothing more than a feel good Christian book/movie, but after a couple times, you start to get the message. I found myself actually identifying the emotions where I was hyped up at times (especially the game for the state title), but the extra details in the book really helped; for example when Larry Childers wheeled himself to the end zone and stood for his son when David was about to kick a field goal to win the state championship. From the book, I could see the encouragement a father provided for his son, and that gave David the encouragement to give it his best. I could say much more, but I was very happy to see this in print.

This book is great! A totally enjoyable read and I couldn't put it down. I loved Eric's development of the characters and all the little details which I'm sure weren't in the movie, though I didn't see it.

I must admit this book was on my shelf for a couple of months before I decided to read it. Although I was born in the U.S. I haven't lived there for over 30 years and forgot all the football rules and am not interested in football culture.

But I was looking for something to read and picked up Facing the Giants. It gripped me from the beginning. So I want to encourage any other non-football fans out there to give it a try. The plot and characters will pull you in and you may develop a new appreciation for high school football.

I loved The movie and didn't think the story could get any better. Eric Wilson brings the story to Novel format and improves on the story. He adds such great back stories to help you grow even closer to them and realize even more what they are going through in the lives and in their struggles. If you have seen the movie you know the basic plot but their is so much added to it that it makes this novel a must read for anyone. This is so much more than a football story it is a story of life and the power of God.

Eric Wilson continues to write engaging novels and this is no exception. Even if you've seen the movie, this book is well worth your time. It has all the emotion and spirituality of the movie but with added backstory, more fully fleshed out characters and additional subplots and characters. Although a different style than his previous work, Wilson is still in top form. I highly recommend it whether you're a fan of the movie or not. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you may even be convicted and inspired to live what you say you believe.

Herein lies the rest of the story.

These days every successful movie is either preceded by or followed by a companion novel, but many novelizations fail to stand on their own. Poor or lazy writing, failure to understand the onscreen characters, failure to add something new to the original--these errors and others weaken the majority of movies-turned-books. FACING THE GIANTS suffers none of these troubles and stands to widen the movie's already sizeable audience.

Wilson's novelization of Stephen & Alex Kendrick's screenplay is as enjoyable, moving, and inspirational as the original film, and it provides an excellent way for fans to re-experience FACING THE GIANTS for the first time and for first-timers to finally jump on the bandwagon. What's more, the book version not only expands a few scenes and adds a few others, but allows the reader to see inside the heads of several key characters--something even the best actors can't perfectly convey.

Just as Dan Reeves said about the movie (see front cover), this story is one that every Christian, athlete or otherwise, should experience in one media form or another.

It is all about the motive. It is all about the heart.

Coach Grant Taylor's life seemed to be running in reverse. As a high school football coach, Grant had yet to have a winning season after 6 years. Angry parents were pushing for him to leave.
On the home front, things weren't much better. The Taylors' attempts to start a family had failed. They had financial problems,their house was in constant need of repair, and their old car left them stranded more often than not. After an encouraging conversation with an older man who had been praying for the school and the students, Grant decided to give it all over to God. I won't spoil the story for you by revealing what happened after that, but believe me, things did begin to happen!
I am not a big sports fan so I didn't know how much I would like "Facing The Giants". I didn't see the movie until after I read the book. Wow was I ever surprised! I LOVED this book! I laughed, I cried.....it is so much more than a sports story. It amazed me to see what really is put into motion when an individual,then a whole football team,gives their best to God and trusts Him for the outcome.

I loved reading this book. It even made me cry! The part where he makes the player crawl the entire field with the guy his back is incredible! I even loaned it to two of the boys I babysit who love football and the loved it! Great book! I would recommend it to anyone!

While Facing the Giants is a change of pace from Eric Wilson's typically mind-blowing fare (suspenseful Christian fiction), the author leaves his indelible fingerprints upon the text. Mr. Wilson breathes life into the characters as only he can, making main protagonist Coach Grant Taylor's personal struggles (losing his high school football team's confidence, the approval of the schoolboard that employs him, etc.) very personal and real. I found myself relating to Grant's struggles (we all have jobs and workplaces, right? :) ) and rejoicing as he and the Shiloh Christian Eagles worked through their problems and allowed God's Word to transform them. Once this foundation was implemented, then success followed. (Proverbs 3:5-6 comes to mind.)

Next up for Mr. Wilson: the Jerusalem Undead Trilogy, and the first offering for us avid readers, Field of Blood. Cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!