Product Description

In the spirit of It's a Wonderful Life and Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this book is a captivating Christmas novella with a heartwarming message for us all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1264791 in Books
• Published on: 1998-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

From Library Journal
When Richard Lee dies in a freak accident one Christmas season, he is surprised to discover that he doesn't go straight to heaven (or hell). Instead, he is allowed to linger on Earth to observe how his three children react to his death. Although he had expected his sons and daughter to be affected by his passing, especially during the holiday season, he is surprised at some of the changes they make in their lives now that he is gone. Strangely enough, Richard also discovers a new closeness to his children before he moves on to join his deceased wife in another life. Fans of TV's Touched by an Angel should find much to enjoy in both McCusker's (Catacombs, LJ 4/1/97) depiction of the strength in an ordinary family's love and his sentimental look at the season and its religious meaning.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Publisher
Richard Lee may be gone, but he’s not yet departed. In this captivating Christmas novella, as the unseen observer of the family events that follow his own death, Richard watches his children return to their hometown to attend his funeral, settle the estate . . . and come to terms not only with their father’s passing, but with the disappointing direction each of their lives has taken.

There is Jonathan, the starving artist whose talent languishes beneath a burden of failure.

David, the family success story: practical, capable, worldly-wise . . . and cynical to the bitter bone, dying inside. And Ruth, a small-town girl who left for the big city in search of a fulfillment she has yet to find.

Powerless to act, Richard can do nothing to help his children resolve their struggles. He can only watch as pain and truth surface in each of their lives. But as secrets and surprises are revealed, the depths of a departed father’s love for his children and those around him emerges with poignant and redemptive clarity. And for Richard’s loved ones, healing at long last begins

Publishers Weekly, September 28, 1999
"Filled with thoughtfulness, wry humor and the occasional touch of magic..."

Customer Reviews

The Epiphany That Could
This book is a nice little fantasy about a father of three grown children, who dies in the first chapter and watches them from the spirit world. They come to grips with their lives and expectations, eventually learning that they didn't know Dad like they thought they did.

Publisher's Weekly says, "Filled with thoughtfulness, wry humor and the occasional touch of magic," which is more than I would have said. I like everything I've heard from McCusker. He has written many strong scripts for radio, and he has been awarded for his children's literature. Epiphany is definitely a good little story, but it isn't deep. There isn't a stirring headspace from the characters. Only their words and the perception of Richard Lee, the father/narrator who dies and lives to tell about it. A few times the dead narrator trick is taken too far.

The big revelation which changes two of the character's perspectives on life was not as stunning as it should have been. I would believe that the trouble swelling within the younger son's heart was enough to drive him to his life-changing moment; but the story uses a small fact about the father's life as the catalyst. The son says, "I barely knew who Dad was," all because of this little detail. I'd sooner believe that he forgets that detail in the swirl of his passions.

I knew from page one this tale would have a happy ending, and I wanted that. But I think I would have been more satisfied if one of the characters had continued to be the disillusioned egocentric he was in the beginning. Still, there's a place for novella's like this, I suppose, but I think, for Christmastime, I'd rather reread Tolstoy's "Where Love is God is."

Thought provoking and sincere.
I read this book in one sitting. It is a wonderful story to ponder as we rush through life making assumpitons about others and ourselves. Rather than focus on the disfunctions of families, this books tells the story of the love in this family. Parents do try the best they can and this story does a wonderful job of turning the perspective so that sons and daughters can understand the love of their parents. Also some insight as to just how little children do know about their parents and their history. Great reading, a definite keeper for my home library.

Outstanding! Must reading for all parents and their childre
This touching and well written book provides a deep insight into who we are and why we are and our relationship with God.

It combines elements of "It's a Wonerful Life" with the parable of the Prodigal Son.

The story is a parable itself. As it teaches us about our family relationships as well as our eternal ones.