It Is Well

A Novel

By: James D. Shipman

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner

Jonathan Beecher, a middle-aged widower and small-town store owner, has never asked for much. But lately, all too much is being asked of him. The bombing of Pearl Harbor plunges America into World War II and deeply fractures Jonathan's own family. His eldest son, a civilian contractor, is trapped on a Japanese-occupied island in the Pacific. Jonathan's feckless younger son ignores his father's pleas to stay home and joins the army. And his bright, devoted daughter, who Jonathan hoped would go to college, elopes with a brutally abusive man instead.

Jonathan has always met adversity with quiet faith, but as his emotional and financial losses accumulate, so do his doubts. In the midst of his pain, Sarah, a widow herself, emerges as a kind, compelling friend. Powerfully drawn to Sarah, Jonathan struggles to remain true to his late wife.

James D. Shipman's tender, wise novel examines the paradox of human suffering: how irrevocable loss, if we are willing to let it, begets spiritual gain.

©2016 James D. Shipman. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Adequate to tell story

This book told a story, but there was no real artistry to it. The characters were one dimensional and fell flat. If it weren't for my weird desire to know how it ends (with all books in general, not just this one) I wouldn't have finished the book. It isn't often I feel that way.

3.5 Stars

The story is set during World War II. It follows the members of the Beecher family. We learn about Jonathan, the father who lost his wife to cancer, his two sons Matthew and Luke and his daughter Mary. We see that each character is not perfect and they each have their own vulnerability and challenges. They are after all human.

Johnathan made a promise to his late wife on her deathbed not to marry again and he believes he has to honor that promise and he works hard to keep his store and keep his promise. Matthew the oldest son left town to try and be more independent. and ends up on an island in the Pacific working as a contractor. Luke the younger son is reckless and joined the army against his father's wishes. Mary, the daughter, marries a man she barely knows and becomes a victim of domestic violence.

The author did do his research and the story does seem to be historically accurate. I had a hard time connecting with Luke or should I say liking the character. He liked to play practical jokes and did things that I thought were horrible in an effort to be liked. In the end he became a changed man and did the honorable thing. I had more of a hard time reading about the domestic violence part than the violence of the war but otherwise liked the story.

Excellent story!

The story was engaging from the beginning and heartwarming to the very end. Highly recommended!

Unexpected...in a good way.

I admit I have loved learning about WWII history my whole life; which is what caught my interest. While the war was in the story it definitely was only the backdrop.

A man, a father & widower, who is trying to live what he believes is a righteous life. His faith is beaten down by work, confusion, loss, parenthood, and the mystery of God we all understand can be frustrating when all you want is clear direction.

This book was not just about the horror of the war or about the victories. It was about the struggle of faith when you try so hard to do what is right. The winding of God and the Holy Spirit (though it is never called that) constantly needing to be sought through the confusion of everyday life.

I thoroughly enjoyed how 'real' the emotion and struggle are portrayed.

I did not give it 5 stars because it was somewhat redundant with the main character. I know many times that would be more accurate to real life, but a book doing it so often makes it drag.

Engaging historical fiction

only frustration was main character's inability to get beyond his past until he had fallen so far... found myself scolding him as I listened