The Book of Andy

This witty, insightful story reveals the state of humanity through the citizens of Missoula, Montana. The reader meets the haves and have-nots, the cruel and the kind, the trustworthy and the wicked through the eyes of a shy common man, Andy Strobel. His work ethic rises above the lowliness of his job, and he revels in the simple pleasures of fly fishing with his dog Max and wood carving.
Andy’s true character is tested and tempted to the limits when he is thrown into unfamiliar circumstances beyond his education and experience to understand. Will he rise to the challenges or fall? Will he believe people’s words or actions? Will he remain true to himself or change to suit the expectations of others?
Anchored in contemporary Western Montana, the story delves into the history of Indians, explorers, and lumberjacks who forged the wilderness before settlers built the town. The historic development of the place parallels the stages of Andy’s self-awareness, his love of the land, and his attempts to establish his place in it.
Recommended for readers of James Thurber, Richard Paul Evans. Charles Martin, and Norman Maclean.
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Oh my - how I grew to love Andy as a character - and a person. He's the lowest of the low status wise, low paid, horrible job, living on his meagre wages - hand to mouth - and just about keeping his head above water. He tries to be a good person but he keeps getting knocked down. But in the wonderful words of the mighty Cumbawamba - he gets knocked down, he gets up again, never gonna keep him down... and this is basically the running theme of the book.
Until that is, one day, after a disaster which is best left for you to discover yourself, he finds himself blessed with fortune. The underdog is about to turn...
But the narrative is peppered with discussions between good and evil, Satan and God. Discussing what to do with and to Andy, where the line is drawn. How far to push and when to hold back. Setting out the ground rules.
Underdog soon becomes hero and his touch knows no bounds. Or past histories. He finds the things that most people take for granted. But he gives back too.
There's a message contained within the words of this book. Obviously. An important one, one that Andy finds easy. Because, well, he's Andy. A simple soul. With a good heart.
But it's not preachy. You'll take what you want/need from this book. Nothing more, nothing less. If it's just the story you want, that's there too. There's layers depending on what you want to take. How deep you choose to delve.
One thing's for certain (I hope anyway). You will be rooting for Andy, all the way through.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The title, The Book of Andy, is referential to The Book of Job, the Old Testament story of God and the Devil playing fast and loose with an honorable man. In the original story Job was a righteous man and to prove to the Devil that Job’s faith in God was strong and not based on material possessions, God allowed terrible tragedies to befall Job, and lo and behold! Job never lost his trust in God. In this contemporary retelling of the story, Andy is a loser with an 8th grade education working at the lowest of jobs, cleaning septic systems, who is held in contempt by practically everyone. Through it all he maintains his love for God and family and lives an honorable life. In a twist on the Biblical story God allows the Devil to tempt Andy with money, fame and lust to show that a true man of God will not be led astray by any of such trappings.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was an entertaining read, well written with a captivating plot and lots of great details that served the story well. . The characters were well drawn, both earnest Andy and the tempters he meets.
My real issue is with the original premise of God and Satan using Andy as a pawn in their relationship.That story has always seemed more like a cautionary tale to teach the Jewish community to serve the Lord and not true to the concept of a God whose steadfast love endures forever.
I did love the narrative between God and Satan, partly true to the language of The Law and partly an ironic modern retelling. Even better was the final chapter which was so great it almost made up for my initial misgivings.
I invite you to read The Book of Andy for yourself. You are sure to gain something from the story.