I was so curious to read more when I saw the description of UNCONVERTED—I love stories of unconventional faith as well as stories about marriage and how couples manage to stay together despite fundamental differences that can grow larger over time. The premise of this memoir felt like a true life version of DEARLY BELOVED by Cara Wall.

I did like this book, and I think the author is an excellent writer. The imagery was vibrant and the details were clearly drawn. She was at her strongest when she wrote of the things in the universe that increase her feelings of spirituality, despite not adhering to organized religion—I loved her thoughts on Emily Dickinson, sports and the outdoors, and community as vehicles for wholeness.

There were other aspects of the book that didn’t quite meet my expectations. Some of the vignettes felt a bit disconnected—as a reader, I was offered a window into the author’s life, but I craved more of a connective thread with direction rather than a meander through loosely connected experiences that do relate to the central theme of marital harmony despite differences in religion but which lacked drive. I also wondered if the author was shying away from tension. Most often, the tension was around the children’s attendance at church, but it seemed like other than occasional annoyance at each other over disagreements that were easily shrugged off. Which, don’t mistake me, is a preferable way to deal with tension in life, but I had thought this book would be exploring that tension, and instead it felt like really the whole difference of religion wasn’t that big of a deal for the couple. Again, this sounds like the ideal for lived life, but it did leave me with a little less spark to stay engaged in reading—I needed something more to drive me to engage rather than pleasant scenes from a pleasant life.

Overall, this is lovely and quiet—those who love stories of spirituality will find something here. The narrative wanders, but it certainly leaves the reader with a gentle sense of happiness.

I received this galley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

An honest and poignant account of a couple with differing beliefs, proving that love conquers all. I, myself, am in a sort of reverse situation of the author. I am a Priest’s daughter and my husband was traumatized by a different segregation of (extremist, in his case only of the two of us) religion and eschewed his faith as a result of trauma. This book helped me to understand my husband’s point of view, and is a reminder that a marriage can still lovingly and healthily work when couples respectfully agree to disagree.

I also adored the references to Frances Burnett Hodgson books. The books and movies were a huge part of my childhood.

The author was a gifted storyteller and I loved how she intertwined mini family and friend stories in with the main story to bring everything together.

This is a sweet but poignant book. Makes you think about things.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.