Customer Reviews

Live Like You Were Dying: A Story About Living

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Michael Morris is a name well-known to fans of Christian fiction, particularly novels that cross over well into mainstream bookstores. His 2003 release, SLOW WAY HOME, was named one of the best novels of the year by two secular newspapers in U.S. cities. LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING, a 178-page novella, may well receive similar accolades for the year 2004.

As country music fans might suspect, the book is based on the lyrics from a Tim McGraw hit of the same title, written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman. Morris took the lyrics and fashioned a story that seamlessly integrates all the elements of the song --- a grave medical diagnosis, the ensuing quest for adventure, mended relationships, and a reconnection with God.

In Morris's version, Nathan Bishop cheats death in an industrial accident, only to have the resulting x-rays reveal a much more serious problem. Weighing his medical options, Nathan decides it's time that he starts to live as if he were dying. That means, in part, doing risky things he's never done before, like skydiving and riding a bull, both of which are activities mentioned in the lyrics. That also means doing things he never took the time to do, like spending time with his wife and 12-year-old daughter. And finally, it means doing things he never wanted to do, like forgiving his father.

I have to confess that I was fully prepared to dislike this book. I figured that not even Morris could avoid producing a book that seemed contrived, since the content would be forced to fit the lyrics --- and the lyrics of a country song at that. But Morris proved he was more than equal to the task. Nothing about this book felt forced or inauthentic, and there's none of the "fluff" that I anticipated in a book of this type.

Among the many strengths: Morris's excellent command of the language, realistic dialogue (one of the aspects of quality fiction that too many authors fail to produce), and believable characters. In that last category, two of the standouts are Nathan's father and grandmother, two people who easily could have become stereotypes in the hands of a lesser author. Ron Bishop is reserved and remote, the kind of father who has never been able to show his affection. But Morris avoids casting him in a predictable light or overdoing it with a lot of commentary on why he is the way he is. Ron Bishop just is. And that makes him believable.

Grand Vestal, Nathan's grandmother, gets my unofficial award for "best portrayal of an elderly woman." If, like me, you've noticed that elderly women in Christian fiction are nothing at all like many of the elderly women in your life, you'll be glad to meet Grand Vestal. Morris apparently recognized the fact that older women are, well, not your father's grandmother. They aren't necessarily the sweet, simpering, saccharine women who call everyone "dearie" in too many other Christian novels, nor are they necessarily feisty, oddball characters that exist somewhere else along the caricature spectrum. They're real, multidimensional people --- just like everyone else. Amazing that so few writers seem to realize that. Thankfully, Morris does.

My first time through this book, before I knew I would be reviewing it, I made a note to myself on the end flap: "Excellent in every way." That assessment still stands.

First time reviewer. I have to say that this book is not at all "sappy." I very seldom read fiction but devour non-fiction. The song is the reason I picked up a copy of the book. This book is not War And Peace but it is not a trite little book. There is enough truth in here to make me buy copies for my four children. As a father I completely understood how the character felt torn between work and family. Maybe this is a book that more men can relate to - who knows. Bottom line is that the book is a good read.

We've all heard this song, at least if you listen to the radio at any point of any given day. However, I had never heard of this book. A friend recommended it and I'm glad that she did. This is not some little fluffy book like I first thought. It's a story about life and love that left me thinking about my own dreams. A well written book that is not to be missed. I predict that it will be a 'sleeper hit' that will become a bestseller because of word of mouth.

If you liked Tuesdays With Morrie then you will like this one as well. I read this little book in one sitting and at the end I was moved to tears. This book affirms that love and time are the greatest gifts that we have been given. The question is how will we use them? A wonderful book.

This book is as good as the song. I loved the book as much as I loved hearing the song the very frist time that I heard it. The man who wrote the book was on the radio talking about it and I bought the book that day. By 10 o'clock at night I had finished it. This book is a fast read and since it's set in Atlanta I loved it even more! This book ties in the song but is a whole lot more too.

This is a well written story that follows pretty close to the song. What I am wanting to know is if the song came first or did the story come first? It is about a man having to deal with the father that he never felt that he knew. They take a trip to the Grand Canyon and do all of the things talked about in the song like bull riding and sky diving.

I normally don't read commercial stuff but Tim McGraw's song has had an amazing affect on me so I picked up the book too. It's a quick read but it packs a big punch. At the end I was thinking about some of the choices I've made in my life and what I would do differently. A beautiful story of family love that left me in tears.

If you've ever had a problem in a relationship or if you're a workaholic, this book is for you. Michael Morris takes Tim McGraw's song by the same name and brings it to life. This is a book that will make readers realize what is truly important in life. It's a compelling read. I enjoyed this one as much as any book I've read in many years. If you only read one book this year, this is the one.

I bought this book for my dad who never reads. He read the book in one night. He loved this book as much as I did. This is a good Christmas or Father's Day gift. In fact, the story reminded me of It's A Wonderful Life. It's about a man who learns how to live his life after almost losing it. The man reconnects with his dad and they take a trip together to rebuild their relationship. Lots of bull riding, mountain climbing, and sky diving takes place along the way. This little book manages to capture the heart of a parent child relationship. I can't recommend it enough.

I met Michael Morris at a writers conference in 1999 way before he had any books out. He looked like a young John Grisham, working in a job where he interacted with Washington D.C officials. 'But, what I really want to do...' he said, with his head bowed, as if he were suddenly shy 'is write'. I looked at him and thought, 'Who doesn't, you're one of a million'. Two days later, after Michael and his wife returned to their home in the deep south, I picked up his new manuscript and began to read...and was stunned...this guy was gifted! I called my agent and said, 'You have got to sign this guy, this book is a winner.' She did. And that book, A PLACE CALLED WIREGRASS went on to win the Christy Award (like an Emmy ...for writing). Michel and his family remained friends with my family and while I was working on my forth book FLYING BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS: Flight Attendant Adventures on a Wing and a Prayer, he was working on his next novel. Then he called one day and said 'There is this song on the radio you have to listen too...it's called LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING and it's my story.' I said, 'That's great Michael, maybe you should call Tim McGraw and tell him that. Ha Ha Ha.' (I was joking because no one we knew...knew how to contact Tim McGraw') A few days later, Michael called and sounded in shock, 'I didn't have to call Tim McGraw,' he said, 'his people contacted me. Marsha, It's like it was meant to be.' LIKE YOU WERE DYING is a true story, not just for the father of Tim McGraw..but for Michael Morris as well...maybe that's why it's ringing in the hearts of so many people. And now, as this his third book sells around the world - and he is writing his forth, I don't think Michael Morris is one OF a million, but, one IN a million.