This is a book that is ultimately difficult to rate. One one hand it is kind of boring. It's the musings of an old man looking back on a simple life dedicated to his congregation, his small town, his close friends and family. Nothing much by way of plot or great character development. The prose, to me was simple and quiet and reflective. But on the other hand this story is very powerful because it is about what a life well lived should feel like in the end. The regrets should be few and small. The power of forgiveness and empathy should never fade even as, alas, we fade. The grace of faith is a powerful gift, the one who is blessed with it should be eternally grateful.

I might add that I am someone who like Jack Ames Boughton has struggled mightily with things like faith and God and religion. But as I age and put behind me many of life's major milestones I long for forgiveness and understanding. I wish I had faith to hold me up, to guide me, to shine a light into the unknown. To live a righteous life, to know you have been a giving and forgiving person, to know you have done your very best to help your fellow man become the best he could be as well, is a beautiful thing and worthy, I think, even if nothing too exciting or spectacular ever happened in that lifetime.

Rambling. I'm sorry, but this is the kind of feeling this book leaves me with. The desire to be considered worthy in the eyes of God. (Who, perversely, I don't always believe to be real, LOL) :P