Saving Alice by David Lewis Published by: Bethany House Publishers (2006) 346 pages Rating: 10/10 Buy it Now:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Saving Alice, and in this case, that's a good thing.

Stephen Whitaker grew up ashamed of his father, determined never to be like him. Instead, Stephen would be a success. He would have a successful business, a beautiful family, and have everything he needed to provide for them. And at first, it appeared Stephen had succeeded. He earned his own way through a top university, had a brilliant job offer, and was prepared to propose to the love of his life, Alice, whose beauty and talent would be the perfect complement to his success.

Then his plans got shattered. Alice was gone. That one event changed his life forever. Instead, Stephen went into business with his high school buddy and married best friend Donna. They had a daughter named Alycia, with whom Stephen shared a special relationship, until she became a teenager and learned the truth about Alice. From that point on, or maybe earlier, Stephen's life began to slide out of control. In every area, he seemed destined to fail. Desperate to salvage just one good thing out of his life, Stephen tries to focus all he can to save even one relationship. But is it too late to save anything?

This story will not go in the direction you expect it to. Trust me. It's impossible to say anything about the last few chapters without giving anything away, and yet it's impossible to review this properly without at least bringing it up. It's not really a twist ending, necessarily. Everything has been foreshadowed carefully, sometimes just in background conversations. And yet... even when what appears to be a twist occurs, that's still not it.

What is it? It's brilliant is what it is. David Lewis delivers an emotional roller coaster here with a resounding conclusion that breaks every rule, but provides immense satisfaction and a recognition that God cannot be boxed.

Stephen and his supporting cast are fully developed, wonderful characters. His relationships with each of them ring true in every way, from the various stages of his relationship with his daughter to his dogged determination not to abandon his old friends, even when they're bent on self-destruction. Each has a part to play, and each element fits into the overall plot in sometimes surprising ways.

I'm extremely pleased that 2006 has begun so well for Christian fiction. If we keep getting quality stories like Saving Alice, we're in for an impressive year. Highly Recommended.