WHEN JOY CAME TO STAY
Review by Debbie Porter - 2nd February, 2004
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If you would like to read Karen Kingsbury's beautiful novel, you can find it at ChristianBooks.com by visiting the link below: When Joy Came to Stay |
Although I have bookshelves crammed to overflowing, there just never seems to be quite enough time these days for me to be able to justify losing myself for hours on end in a novel. Now days it’s far more likely that I just grab little snippets here and there as I’m able to find a moment or two to squeeze in another few paragraphs.
However, every now and then something comes along that catches my attention from page one and keeps me turning until the end. When that happens, I basically choose to set aside the usual tasks at hand and just treat myself to a great read.
One such "great read" was "When Joy Came to Stay" by Karen Kingsbury.
This novel had been sitting on my bookshelf for several months and just happened to be the title I grabbed one afternoon on my way out the door to collect Kylie from one of her final exams last year. Having had to wait on previous occasions that week, I decided to at least have something to relieve the boredom this time.
On reflection I have a feeling that my choice of it may have had a lot to do with the title and the fact that at that point in my life, things were just a little stressful. The idea of joy coming to stay was particularly appealing, although based on the cover notes I had a feeling that the story may contain some tears before joy finally arrived ... and I was right.
Having never read any of Karen's work before, I really didn't know what to expect. Now I can say quite simply that even if I'd had the highest of expectations, I wouldn't have been disappointed.
The back cover encapsulates the story with the simple sentence, "When Joy Came to Stay is the heart-wrenching story of one woman's descent into the shadows of depression, her husband's search for understanding, and a precious child's unwavering faith."
With incredible wisdom and sensitivity, this beautiful author has created a story that touches on two very delicate subjects. One is the fact that even the most committed Christians can actually slip into the pits of depression. The other is that of life-changing mistakes made in our past and the consequences that secretly haunt us.
Through the main character, Maggie Stovall, our eyes are opened to the fact that not everyone who seems to have it all together, is actually coping as effortlessly as we imagine. As the disintegration of Maggie's seemingly perfect life becomes impossible to hide, there was a part of me that definitely identified with her struggle. Although the situation, circumstances and depth of Maggie's nightmare were way beyond anything I have ever experienced, the reality is that I once also went through a time where I finally dropped the "perfect Christian" mask I'd been wearing, as the overwhelming waves of depression I'd been hiding began to show.
Karen Kingsbury admits quite openly in the book's acknowledgments that writing about depression is not something she's done before and battling depression has never been one of her trials. With that in mind, this lovely lady deserves even greater praise for this novel. I believe that the research she undertook, together with a very open heart to God's direction, has led to the writing of a novel which not only highlights a fairly hush-hush subject as far as church life goes, but has done it in a way that gives great hope.
As Maggie's story unfolds, we begin a parallel journey alongside a precious, abandoned and abused little girl, Amanda Joy. With every page that turns, the reader is drawn emotionally more and more into the lives of these two key characters. Neither one of them is just a cardboard cut-out, standard fictional heroine. In both instances, I found myself caring deeply about their lives.
That, together with the author's outstanding writing ability and sensitivity, was what kept me turning pages until I finished the book.
As if Maggie, her family and little Amanda weren't enough to fill our hearts, Karen also included one very important support character, Laura Thompson.
We meet Laura right at the very start of the book and I have to say that I fell in love with her straight away. Every church needs at least one "Laura" in their congregation. As much as I empathised with Maggie, I have to admit that I was inspired by Laura. Although she only pops into the story line here and there, her role is absolutely vital to the plot. If you have ever felt as though you aren't doing enough for someone because you can only pray for them, let Laura's example encourage you.
When Joy Came to Stay is a totally engrossing, very real book that I recommend without hesitation. It's true that the story may bring tears to your eyes at times, but the message of forgiveness, grace, reconciliation and unconditional love will bless you overwhelmingly – right down to the last, totally satisfying sentence!
Yes, even for Christians, "weeping may endure for the night", oh but praise God for His promise that "joy comes in the morning". (Psalm 30:5)
For other books by Karen Kingsbury, please use the search box provided below:
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