dgw reviewed Fireproof by Eric Wilson
Review of 'Fireproof' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Note: There are some references to key plot points in this review. I don't consider them to be spoilers per se—not enough to check the "contains spoilers" box—but it should be noted that you might have a hint at what happens if you pay close attention to my writing below.
Fireproof was an engrossing, captivating book... until I hit the second half, which proselytizes Jesus up the wazoo. After it started proselytizing, the story became merely interesting. It fell into predictability at some points, I thought, including correlation of the number of chapters with the number of days in "The Love Dare", an integral part of the plot. However, there were enough plot twists and surprises that it remained interesting up to the very end.
What I did find somewhat less than believable (minor spoiler coming up) was Caleb smashing his computer to bits. It didn't seem like something a …
Note: There are some references to key plot points in this review. I don't consider them to be spoilers per se—not enough to check the "contains spoilers" box—but it should be noted that you might have a hint at what happens if you pay close attention to my writing below.
Fireproof was an engrossing, captivating book... until I hit the second half, which proselytizes Jesus up the wazoo. After it started proselytizing, the story became merely interesting. It fell into predictability at some points, I thought, including correlation of the number of chapters with the number of days in "The Love Dare", an integral part of the plot. However, there were enough plot twists and surprises that it remained interesting up to the very end.
What I did find somewhat less than believable (minor spoiler coming up) was Caleb smashing his computer to bits. It didn't seem like something a person in his situation would do. Stash it in the attic, basement, or garage, maybe; but smash? Eh, at least it facilitated a bit of humor with the elderly neighbor.
I think the story could have been told without so much specific emphasis on Jesus, God, and Scriptures, but I am aware that it would have been a very different book in that case. My sensitivity to religious ministry notwithstanding, it would have been nice if the summary on the back included some reference to the Christian component of the story. It's major enough, it should be mentioned. (Of course, that would give away part of the story.)
The book is a novelization of a screenplay written and produced by members of a Baptist church in Georgia. One of their previous works was Facing the Giants, which apparently reached international audiences, though didn't become famous enough—I guess—for me to hear about it. But both stories are hailed by Christian ministries; Facing the Giants—a $100,000 football drama produced by untrained church volunteers—grossed $10 million in theatres following its release in 2006, and became a top-selling DVD in Christian bookstores.