Composing Amelia

A Novel

By: Alison Strobel

Narrated by: Ann Richardson

How can you choose which dream to follow? Newlyweds Amelia and Marcus are recent college graduates, working hard to stay afloat in Los Angeles while they search for their dream jobs. Marcus, with an MDiv, seeks a pastoral position at a large multicultural city church Amelia has a music degree and hopes to play piano professionally. But God has other plans. When a small church in a small Nebraska town offers Marcus a job, their dedication to their dreams - and to each other - is put to the test. Leaving the city means putting aside Amelia’s career in favor of Marcus’s, and it’s hardly fair, but their compromise is worse, driving Amelia to the brink of a mental breakdown. As Amelia struggles with a reality that will change her life forever, Marcus makes a discovery that leads him to question every hope he’s had for his own life. What will they do with the new lives they’ve been handed? Will their marriage - and their own identities - survive?

©2011 Alison Strobel (P)2011 Oasis Audio

A Semi-Realistic Look at Bipolar Disorder

This is definitely a Christian novel, which at times made me itch a little due to the in-your-face style that Ms. Strobel sometimes uses. Her background in church life comes honestly, though. Her husband was my favorite teaching pastor at Willow Creek Church in South Barrington, IL for several years.

Her main characters were a bit heavy-handed in their thoughts and actions, along with an almost unrealistic storyline when they showed their utter cluelessness in so many areas.

Overall, Ms. Strobel manages to keep the action heading somewhat in a forward direction. The growth of both characters is a little questionable, at least for such a short time span as it was in the book.

Ann Richardson was decent as the reader, though she did not use different voices for characters, which made the delivery a bit more flat than exciting.

Overall the novel is decent, though not outstanding.

Compelling life story

Have you ever second-guessed your career choices? Has your faith been tested.
This story is about a young couple who discover that the reasons behind their career choices proved to be driven by their relationships with their parents. Battling self-doubt and health issues further compounds things. Their faith is in themselves, their relationship and their God is tested.
I think many people can relate.
This book was so compelling that I couldn’t stop listening to it!

Mediocre story, mediocre narration

What did you like best about Composing Amelia? What did you like least?

The friendly small Nebraska town. Amelia's selfish attitude.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Eliminate the long stretches of thoughts about self doubt and angst.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Ann Richardson?

Someone with more expression and feeling in her voice.

Could you see Composing Amelia being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.