In The Weight of Shadows, by Alison Strobel, after a difficult childhood, Kim has built a successful life for herself ... but she'd leave it all if it meant being rid of the guilt she harbors over a tragic mistake she made years ago. When she meets Rick, she finds everything she needs---including a way to pay for her sins every time he hits her. Kim and Rick's new neighbor, Joshua, knows more than Kim realizes about Rick, but Joshua has battles of his own to fight. Soon to intersect Kim's and Rick's lives is Debbie, who has saved countless women from abuse through the shelter she runs, but Debbie might be as desperate for love as the women she serves. Meanwhile, as Rick's wrath extends to their baby, Kim must decide if her penance is more important than protecting that innocent life---and if she should dare leave Rick when he has the power to bring her hidden crime to light.
Weight of Shadows: A Novel
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Review
'Alison Strobel has penned an important book about a battered woman's psyche and the length God journeys to rescue her. Honest, painful, redemptive, The Weight of Shadows is the kind of gutsy novel book clubs enjoy discussing.' -- Mary E. DeMuth, author, Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn <br><br>
From the Back Cover
In The Weight of Shadows, by Alison Strobel, after a difficult childhood, Kim has built a successful life for herself ... but she'd leave it all if it meant being rid of the guilt she harbors over a tragic mistake she made years ago. When she meets Rick, she finds everything she needs---including a way to pay for her sins every time he hits her. Kim and Rick's new neighbor, Joshua, knows more than Kim realizes about Rick, but Joshua has battles of his own to fight. Soon to intersect Kim's and Rick's lives is Debbie, who has saved countless women from abuse through the shelter she runs, but Debbie might be as desperate for love as the women she serves. Meanwhile, as Rick's wrath extends to their baby, Kim must decide if her penance is more important than protecting that innocent life---and if she should dare leave Rick when he has the power to bring her hidden crime to light.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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More About the Author
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Alison began writing stories in elementary school, following in the footsteps of her journalist/author father, Lee Strobel. She moved to California where she was inspired to write her first novel, "Worlds Collide," which released with Waterbrook Press in 2005. Her sophomore release, "Violette Between" came the following year and earned her a Rita Award nomination from the Romance Writers of America. After writing "Violette Between" Alison took a break from writing to enjoy life with her new baby girl Abigail. She now has another daughter, Penelope Jane, and two more books published--"The Weight of Shadows" (with Zondervan Publishing) and "Reinventing Rachel" (with David C. Cook), as well as two more releasing in 2011. To learn more about her or to sign up for her newsletter, please visit http://www.alisonstrobel.com.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By D. Roe
Format:Paperback
When this book was first released, Alison put a comment on her Facebook page saying she wanted others to review the book on Amazon when they were done reading. She also made it clear that we were to be honest about what we thought of the book, even if we didn't like it. With all of that in mind, I began reading with a somewhat critical eye, already not entirely enthusiastic about reading a "chick" novel, but willing just the same, since Alison and I are Facebook friends.
It is, therefore, with a great deal of relief that I won't have to feel awkward for saying what I disliked about this book...there really wasn't anything! As this story reached its climax, it literally kept me up until the late hours of the night reading. I couldn't put it down! It also helped reshape my personal point of view on domestic violence and abuse. Alison illustrates perfectly how women (and I imagine others as well) who become victims fall into it. Certainly it's not just a matter of an individual going out and looking for someone who will hurt her because it's what they're used to or they feel they deserve it. It's a slow process of intimidation and manipulation in which a person suddenly finds herself stuck in a place she never would have imagined. The rationalization comes as a result of domestic violence, but not always as the cause.
The only reservation I had about this novel comes down to a simple matter of opinion. There is a tense moment in the story between Joshua and his mother-in-law in which it seems to be implied that spanking is abuse. Within the context of the situation in the story, I agree that spanking would be abuse, but if the idea being illustrated is that spanking is abuse across the board, I would have to disagree. In any other regards, however, I thought this book was excellent and would eagerly recommend it to others.
I have now read all three of Alison's published books. I have enjoyed all three stories, but I have to say that I think "Shadows" is her best work yet. The only complaint I had after the previous two stories was that the ending seemed very fast and abrupt, and that seems to be resolved in this book. Alison has proven herself to be a very talented author of Christian fiction, and I am eagerly awaiting any future stories she may have to share. Three cheers to "The Weight of Shadows" by Alison Strobel!
It is, therefore, with a great deal of relief that I won't have to feel awkward for saying what I disliked about this book...there really wasn't anything! As this story reached its climax, it literally kept me up until the late hours of the night reading. I couldn't put it down! It also helped reshape my personal point of view on domestic violence and abuse. Alison illustrates perfectly how women (and I imagine others as well) who become victims fall into it. Certainly it's not just a matter of an individual going out and looking for someone who will hurt her because it's what they're used to or they feel they deserve it. It's a slow process of intimidation and manipulation in which a person suddenly finds herself stuck in a place she never would have imagined. The rationalization comes as a result of domestic violence, but not always as the cause.
The only reservation I had about this novel comes down to a simple matter of opinion. There is a tense moment in the story between Joshua and his mother-in-law in which it seems to be implied that spanking is abuse. Within the context of the situation in the story, I agree that spanking would be abuse, but if the idea being illustrated is that spanking is abuse across the board, I would have to disagree. In any other regards, however, I thought this book was excellent and would eagerly recommend it to others.
I have now read all three of Alison's published books. I have enjoyed all three stories, but I have to say that I think "Shadows" is her best work yet. The only complaint I had after the previous two stories was that the ending seemed very fast and abrupt, and that seems to be resolved in this book. Alison has proven herself to be a very talented author of Christian fiction, and I am eagerly awaiting any future stories she may have to share. Three cheers to "The Weight of Shadows" by Alison Strobel!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Renee Chaw
Format:Paperback
If you're in the mood for a light, fluffy read you probably won't want to read this book but if you want a dramatic, gritty, realistic book, pick up The Weight of Shadows! This is my first encounter with author Alison Strobel's work and I'm really glad that I had the opportunity to "meet" her through blogging and reading her book.
As a person who knows someone who is currently dealing with a domestic violence I can say that Alison's portrayal of Kim's story is very authentic. I couldn't help but cry for Kim and Anne and their abusive situation. The secondary characters are very well written too. Even though they are trying to help Kim, they have problems of their own, which in my opinion, makes this story even more true to life.
The story grabbed and held my attention so much so that I could barely put it down and considering that it isn't a romance or historical book, that's a miracle! I look forward to reading what Alison pens next.
*i received my free review copy from the publisher.*
As a person who knows someone who is currently dealing with a domestic violence I can say that Alison's portrayal of Kim's story is very authentic. I couldn't help but cry for Kim and Anne and their abusive situation. The secondary characters are very well written too. Even though they are trying to help Kim, they have problems of their own, which in my opinion, makes this story even more true to life.
The story grabbed and held my attention so much so that I could barely put it down and considering that it isn't a romance or historical book, that's a miracle! I look forward to reading what Alison pens next.
*i received my free review copy from the publisher.*
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What's holding you back from living your best life? From being you?
We don't forgive ourselves. We did something, in our past, that we just haven't gotten over. God has forgiven us. The person we hurt has probably forgiven us. But we haven't forgiven ourselves. And because we haven't - we're stuck. We fell that we're not worthy of something better or we feel that we're getting what we deserve. Or both. So we have stopped living in the moment, and continue to live in the past. This hurts us and it hurts our families and friends.
Off-topic: I used to volunteer when I was in high school and college. I don't know exactly how I stopped, but I've been having a hard time getting started back up. Ya know - single mom, more than full-time job, not a lot of free time, nor money for a sitter, and on, and on. But I was only a few pages into this book when I opened my computer, did a search on Google, found what I was looking for, and shot off an email. I sent it to the director of a non-profit organization offering my time for a few hours each week. I just needed a little nudge, and this book gave it to me. No excuses. Not anymore, anyway. We'll see where it goes, but I've taken the first step. By the time this post is up on my blog, a couple of months should have passed, with some progress made.
Back on-topic: This book was so real. It wasn't over-the-top. It wasn't missing any details. It was just exactly right. For me, anyway. My favorite parts were the "starting over" parts. Each of the characters had something that was holding them back from living in the moment. Something in their past they were afraid to give up. For Joshua, it was the death of his wife. For Kim, it was a tragic occurrence when she was a foster child. For Debbie, it was the last conversation she had with her sister before her sister died. But they each also have someone who is rooting for them. They just don't realize it. And the ending has an oh-my-goodness! twist that I wasn't expecting - at all!
This is a Christian fiction book. If that scares you, then this book isn't for you. If you simply don't understand Christianity, then you should take a look, since the characters will try to break-it-down for you. But it's not in-your-face. I like that.
We don't forgive ourselves. We did something, in our past, that we just haven't gotten over. God has forgiven us. The person we hurt has probably forgiven us. But we haven't forgiven ourselves. And because we haven't - we're stuck. We fell that we're not worthy of something better or we feel that we're getting what we deserve. Or both. So we have stopped living in the moment, and continue to live in the past. This hurts us and it hurts our families and friends.
Off-topic: I used to volunteer when I was in high school and college. I don't know exactly how I stopped, but I've been having a hard time getting started back up. Ya know - single mom, more than full-time job, not a lot of free time, nor money for a sitter, and on, and on. But I was only a few pages into this book when I opened my computer, did a search on Google, found what I was looking for, and shot off an email. I sent it to the director of a non-profit organization offering my time for a few hours each week. I just needed a little nudge, and this book gave it to me. No excuses. Not anymore, anyway. We'll see where it goes, but I've taken the first step. By the time this post is up on my blog, a couple of months should have passed, with some progress made.
Back on-topic: This book was so real. It wasn't over-the-top. It wasn't missing any details. It was just exactly right. For me, anyway. My favorite parts were the "starting over" parts. Each of the characters had something that was holding them back from living in the moment. Something in their past they were afraid to give up. For Joshua, it was the death of his wife. For Kim, it was a tragic occurrence when she was a foster child. For Debbie, it was the last conversation she had with her sister before her sister died. But they each also have someone who is rooting for them. They just don't realize it. And the ending has an oh-my-goodness! twist that I wasn't expecting - at all!
This is a Christian fiction book. If that scares you, then this book isn't for you. If you simply don't understand Christianity, then you should take a look, since the characters will try to break-it-down for you. But it's not in-your-face. I like that.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Weight of shadows
This was a very enlightening story of why someone justifies the actions of harming oneself or letting someone else harm them over gilt they feel from there past and how a little... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rich C.
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful
This book is amazing. I practically cried the whole last fifth of the book. It was thought-provoking and helped me to better understand the thought processes of an abused person.
Published 16 months ago by Kindell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing book!
Kim is haunted by a tragic mistake in her past. She tries everything to deal with the pain and the guilt, but when she meets Rick, she think she has found everything she needs to... Read more
Published 17 months ago by cllane2
4.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Tale of Forgiveness
Do you believe that the choices you make and the choice to forgive can touch the lives of others for a very long time? Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jennifer C. Mcilwain
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Interesting Read
The first thing that struck me about this book was how quickly I found myself caring about the characters. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Anna
2.0 out of 5 stars
CHRISTIAN SLANT
I GO TO CHURCH FOR MY RELIGION , WITHOUT WANTING TO READ STORIES ABOUT IT. I WISH GENRES WERE BETTER MARKED
Published on April 7, 2011 by BONFOGLIO
5.0 out of 5 stars
Silence Is Not Always Golden
Many times while reading THE WEIGHT OF SHADOWS BY ALISON STROBEL I would stop myself from using the wrong title. The words The Weight of Silence would come to my mind. Read more
Published on October 30, 2010 by Grapes
2.0 out of 5 stars
Depressing and too slow
I thought the salvation of this book was the Christian aspect. without it I would have stopped after the third chapter. Read more
Published on October 15, 2010 by Loree
2.0 out of 5 stars
Wasn't crazy about his book
I was not as crazy about his book as the other readers. I found myself skipping a lot of the parts with Kim and Rick, because it was sad and I didn't want to read about every... Read more
Published on September 30, 2010 by K. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating Book
Wow, captivating book. This was the one of the most interesting fiction novels I have read. Alison Strobel handles with such sensitivity and compassion the sadness of abuse. Read more
Published on September 16, 2010 by Doreen Blair
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