So I just finished reading Fireproof, novelization by Eric Wilson.
In case you aren’t sure what novelization means it’s actually a screenplay that was turned into a book. Fireproof was a movie that came out in 2008. The screenplay was written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick then later turned into a book by Eric Wilson.
But enough about that, you want to hear about the book. I think.
Experience tells me that reading a book after watching a movie will just let me down severely. Not so in this case. The book followed the movie word for word. While that might sound terrible, let me explain what I loved about that:
For one, it was nice to have a book and movie finally be on the same page. Two, actually reading it lets you see and experience the character’s feelings and thoughts, vs. just assuming you know what they are.
The movie was wonderful and I’d recommend it to anyone, but the book had more depth to it and I recommend reading it before viewing. You just connect with the characters more that way. You feel what they feel, you think what they think, and you get your own little glimpse inside their mind.
Summary in the words of Deena: Firefighter Caleb Holt and his wife, Catherine, are basically having a falling-out of epic proportions. They aren’t in love anymore, (or so they think) and they just want a divorce. Catherine seems like a witch, but really she’s just in pain, and even though 90% of the book feels like she’s pointlessly ripping out Caleb’s heart, she’s got her reasons. Her feelings aren’t really portrayed very well (in my opinion) and I feel much more sympathy for Caleb, who’s pouring out his heart in italics. (I’m also a sucker for Firefighter stories, so maybe I’m biased. Sue me.)
WHO: As far as the characters go I’d have to say I’m team Caleb. (<- Twilight joke. Sorry.) I’ll try my best to say this without any spoilers, but I just didn’t feel Catherine’s (his wife’s) pain. I felt like she was a cold, frigid beast most of the book. Only when it got into the last 20% of the book did I understand where she was coming from with her hostility. Even after I understood her she seemed like a brat. But at the end she *SPOILER ALERT* finally breaks down her walls that have been keeping her from trusting and loving her husband and she seems like a really pleasant person. I might even be friends with her if she were real.
WHAT: Caleb and Catherine learn a lot in this book, mainly about love , trust and sacrifice. Most importantly is a message of Higher Divinity. (Yes, I mean God.) Through most of the book Caleb and Catherine are not Christians by any stretch of the imagination, but near the end they find that God isn’t necessarily a crutch, more like a necessity.
WHEN: The book’s time frame was set between 1998 and 2008. There was even a little bit of flashback to the 80’s when Catherine was a little girl and just too darn cute for her own good.
WHERE: Albany, Georgia. This was actually a nice touch. I loved that the characters had southern roots. Maybe I’m just visiting the wrong shelves at the library, but I haven’t read very many (if any) books that were set in the Deep South. The scenery was described so breathtakingly that it’s all I can do not to pack up my bags and haul butt to Georgia.
WHY: Well, like most books that aren’t useless, this one has a purpose. A moral, if you will. The moral of this book is that marriage isn’t something to snub your nose at. It’s meant for life and it’s worth fighting for. A cute little fireman related quote from the book put it incredibly well, “You never leave your partner, especially in a fire.”
HOW: Well... to be honest I’m not sure how to answer this one or how it’s even relevant. The dude picked up a pen and went at it. Or maybe he used Microsoft Word. Either way, he did good.
This book comes highly, HIGHLY recommended.
No seriously. Read it now.
Next up:
Lock and Key
by Sarah Dessen
