6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling work of fiction, September 13, 2007
This review is from: Providence: Once Upon a Second Chance (Paperback)
Chris Coppernoll has hit a home run with his debut work of fiction Providence: Once Upon A Second Chance. Chris has deftly crafted a tale of the complexities of of the Christian walk, exploring how we can do great things for the Kingdom of God while still struggling with our human weaknesses and failures. I found myself drawn into the world of Providence, it's places and characters seem so real and are thoughtfully developed. At the close of the book I was rewarded with the warm satisfaction of an unexpected and yet gratifying ending. There is nothing better than to come to the end of a good read and long to continue on.
Chris' biggest challenge now will be to find a way to top one of the best fiction releases of 2007.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful and Haunting, August 18, 2007
This review is from: Providence: Once Upon a Second Chance (Paperback)
In a braid of past and present, Chris Coppernoll weaves the coming of age of a young man and the unraveling of the grown man who now lives with the consequences of his past. Not often does there come along a book this powerful and haunting.
I met Chris at our local book club where he came as a guest of a member. We hadn't read his book, but he told us about it. Fascinated by his synopsis and wondering if he could pull it off as a writer, I took a copy. He pulled it off, all right. In spades.
Providence is a book you'll long remember, even after you've turned the last page. A master of first person narration, Chris digs deep into his characters' psyches and gives you the full depth of their emotions, all without leaving Jack's point of view.
Providence is one of the best books I've read--ever. Powerful, poignant and utterly satisfying. This reviewer gives it her highest recommendation. It's a 5-star read.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous debut!, August 16, 2007
This review is from: Providence: Once Upon a Second Chance (Paperback)
Chris Coppernoll's debut novel, "Providence" was a very pleasant surprise. A bittersweet tale of lost love and a search for significance, Mr. Coppernoll has penned an enjoyable and poignant novel.
Jack Clayton comes from more than just a broken home--more like a shattered one. After divorce destroys his parent's marriage, a drunk driver takes the life of his younger sister. From that point on, Jack and his mother, whom he calls Marianne, become strangers.
So when Jack finally leaves his hometown for college, accompanied by his childhood friend Mitchell, the relief he feels radiates off the pages. Soon Jack settles into life at college...until he finds love. Then things begin unraveling once again.
Flash to the present day: now a best selling author and pastor of an amazing outreach to the poor, Jack is asked to pen his life story. But to do so is to dredge up the past, and to deal with the shadows of regrets that have haunted him.
What results is a gorgeous story of a young man's journey to the God who has loved Him with an everlasting love. This novel did not go the direction I expected, but each plot twist followed a pattern that was both poetic and insightful.
I found this story to be both refreshing and entertaining.
As an added treat, since Jack's past takes place in the 1980's, each chapter opens with a lyric from a hit song of the 80's...and I recognized at least 90% of the songs...I'm not sure if that's a good thing, but it WAS fun!!
How does Jack's story end? You'll just have to read it for yourself, and it is a journey you won't want to miss. This is quality fiction and I look forward to seeing what is next from Mr. Coppernoll.
"Providence" is subtitled "Once Upon a Second Chance" and for good reason...as we serve a God of second, third, fourth, and infinite chances to get it right for Him. Mr. Coppernoll certainly got it right on his first time out! I'm voting this the Best Debut of 2007!
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