“Rubart will leave readers inspired . . .” —Publishers Weekly STARRED review for The Long Journey to Jake PalmerWhat if You Woke up One Morning and the Darkest Parts of Yourself Were Gone?Toren Daniels vanished eight months back, and his wife and kids have moved on—with more than a little relief. Toren was a good man but carried a raging temper that often exploded without warning. So when he … that often exploded without warning. So when he shows up on their doorstep out of the blue, they’re shocked to see him alive. But more shocked to see he’s changed. Radically.
His anger is gone. He’s oddly patient. Kind. Fun. The man he always wanted to be. Toren has no clue where he’s been but knows he’s been utterly transformed. He focuses on three things: Finding out where he’s been. Finding out how it happened. And winning back his family.
But then shards of his old self start to rise from deep inside—like the man kicked out of the NFL for his fury—and Toren must face the supreme battle of his life.
In this fresh take on the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, James L. Rubart explores the war between the good and evil within each of us—and one man’s only chance to overcome the greatest divide of the soul.
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Ok. Slow and hard to push through.
Spiritually powerful!
Different with an interesting supernatural storyline. Liked it a lot!
I have really enjoyed the books I have read by James Rubart. They are always thought provoking, inspirational and intriguing. I highly recommend this book and other works by this author.
Mr. Rubart has written another great book. Rooms and The Chair were really good and so isn’t this one. God is love. And the key to forgiveness.
Gets you to thinking.
3.75 stars.
These books remind me of C.S. Lewis’ ‘Great Divorce’ – fiction that are part parable and part speculative. I’m not sure ‘like’ is the right thing to say about them. They keep me reading, they make me think and I’m guessing they improve with every reading. This is my second of Rubart’s books and it won’t be the last. They are deeply philosophical and they linger, which precious few books do nowadays.
This book had me creeping out at times. The writing is so vivid I could feel the inner turmoil Toren felt every waking moment. I have been disoriented when waking up at times, but never have I woken up and not known where I was. He does remember his life as a husband and father, but his memory has been erased for the last eight months. This is about the time I would be having a panic attack and dialing 911. I’m not sure that would be the best idea, but really I’m not sure what I would do if I was Toren.
This story had me on the edge of my seat anticipating the next twist in the story. How could you be gone for a length of time and not recollect anything? Have you ever felt like there was a darker side to you? In the classic Rubart style he threads a Jekyll/Hyde theme that breaks the barrier between good and evil.
Toren wrestles with himself as he discovers how dangerous his anger has become. What happened to his football career? Can Toren recover his life and become a better person? I must mention the friction between him and his wife. What great writing the author achieved showing their love/hate relationship. It would be so hard to forgive Toren for his behavior but can he change his wife’s mind? Will Toren find strength to fight the evilness inside of him? There is much to gleam from this story of hope and redemption.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.
Excellent new perspective on good and evil. Kept me reading, and rereading.
I went into this book thinking I wouldn’t like it but found out I couldn’t put it down. I devoured this book for the truths that are between the pages. If you find you can’t forgive yourself, feel unlovable, or need to learn to love yourself then you will find yourself loving this novel. We all have that darkness inside that we need to conquer by feeding our spiritual side with God’s truth. I loved everything from the writing style to the characters. It is a book of forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, and finding yourself. Putting the past of childhood abuse behind and looking forward to God’s plan for your life. I will put this on my favorites shelf to read again, as a reminder of how much God Loves me. Definitely a must read. I could gush over this book. 🙂 as it resonates within my soul.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Another thought provoking, inspiring, page turned by James Rubart. He’s one of my favorite authors. I have read all his books and can’t wait for the next!
“Stepping into the man he’s always been? Stepping away from the man he never was?”
Toren Daniels awakens to find himself alone in a hotel room without any recollection of why he was there. When just a few personal effects are delivered to his room, his memories are those of his past, not the present, and not the eight months that he has been missing and presumed dead. One thing is certain, the internal rage that has threatened to destroy him and those he loves, seems to have diminished. Or has it? . . .for the loves of his life are still slipping through his fingers and every day that passes drives Toren closer to reclaiming what he thought had been given away.
While Toren frantically searches for answers, it becomes clear to him that the man he wants to be and the man he was, are two sides of the same coin; one dark and one light. How can they possibly co-exist without the help of the One who has promised to make all things new? For, “perfect love casts out all fear”.
James Rubart has written a compelling story describing the universal plight of mankind through-out the ages; allowing the light to shine in the darkness, whether the darkness comprehends it or not.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
The Man He Never Was is so fascinating. I couldn’t wait to read it. It was like reading Dr Kekyll and Mr. Hyde – wow wee. The poor guy – to be torn apart – to be aware of your awful alter ego – or old self – the one that hurt the ones you love so much that made them glad you were missing and scared you were back. Then again you didn’t know you where gone, how you changed – who is the one what changed -me? Wow I would be so confused and I wouldn’t blame him for wanting those answers but I would want to stay the good guy the one who makes my family happy – not they guy who lets my old scary self comes out – how long will he let that happen? Will the good changes be permanent? Will we find out why he changed? Where he was? Will he be able to fight that dark side of him permanently for the love of his family? Will he see GOD? Will you let HIM help you? I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
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I enjoyed this author’s writing.