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I’m late to this one, too. XD

My one complaint about the prose is that it’s sometimes so direct. Rather than creating a picture in my mind, it creates a mental impression. I wouldn’t call that a bad thing, but I can get tired of it. Other than that, the clever phrases, especially the Biblical references that were so fitting for a pastor’s family, had me laughing out loud in almost every chapter. It’s a very different prose style from what I usually read, so it felt fresh to me even if it is a trope/cliche. And it’s consistent and extremely self-aware, which gives me a sense that the author knows what he’s doing and is doing it on purpose.

Like we talked about in weeks 1 and 3, the concrete, specific details really seem to be the key here–not “like roads” but “like odd numbered interstates running north and south.” That extra work paid off in my opinion, even if it is more effective at getting a laugh than at keeping my attention on what’s being pictured in the scene.

I can completely see why some people enjoy this prose style so much while it rubs others the wrong way, but kudos to Chris Fabry for doing something specific and memorable rather than adopting the bland, featureless prose I’ve seen in most other recent Christian fiction. For this specific story, I can’t really imagine a different style.