Reviews
Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and an Overcoming Love by Jay Wolf, Katherine Wolf
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
5.0
As a 2 time stage 3 cancer survivor before I hit 40, there was so much that resonated with me on this. So much I understood how they felt in some moments on an emotional level, feeling their pain and disappointment with them at the losses and the joy and contentment as they gained hope and gave hope.
The Wolfs do such an amazing job explaining that hard-won hope and joy they found in their trial while also being real and honest. I think a lot of Christians have this insecurity about their vulnerability, feeling like they can’t tell the truths about their grief, fear, anger, and disappointment or it somehow reflects poorly on either their walk with God, or God himself. On the contrary, acknowledging their points of grief and despair gives other people the opportunity to see God in their situation and feel like they have a place in their own suffering to also find hope. Like they said, you just don’t hang out in that place, that’s the big difference. It exists, you absolutely acknowledge it and feel it, but you choose whether you live there.
Jay and Katherine did this beautifully and I have so much respect and appreciation for their story and for what God has done thru them and their losses.
The Wolfs do such an amazing job explaining that hard-won hope and joy they found in their trial while also being real and honest. I think a lot of Christians have this insecurity about their vulnerability, feeling like they can’t tell the truths about their grief, fear, anger, and disappointment or it somehow reflects poorly on either their walk with God, or God himself. On the contrary, acknowledging their points of grief and despair gives other people the opportunity to see God in their situation and feel like they have a place in their own suffering to also find hope. Like they said, you just don’t hang out in that place, that’s the big difference. It exists, you absolutely acknowledge it and feel it, but you choose whether you live there.
Jay and Katherine did this beautifully and I have so much respect and appreciation for their story and for what God has done thru them and their losses.
rachelb36's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I heard Katherine speak at IF:Gathering 2016 and she was one of the few speakers I actually liked - she was so funny! I picked this up to hear more of her story, figuring she'd bring her humor into this, also. She didn't.
The book isn't poorly written, but it was a fairly dry memoir compared to others I've read. It focused on what happened, and while Jay and Katherine's emotions were mentioned here and there, the readers were never given a chance to really sit with them and soak in the suffering. They were so quick to point out that God is good and has a plan (true things, to be sure) that it made their suffering almost seem insincere.
While I didn't connect with this one on the whole, I do have a couple favorite quotes:
"[God] knows this is part of the story He is writing for me, for my family, and for all of the creation He is making right. It is not a plan B, and I trust that." (p. 18)
"All my life, before the stroke, I had been confident, admired, and strong. I know in my head that I still am these things in many ways, but when your life is taken down to zero, it's hard not to feel that your ability to contribute as a human being is also zero..." (p. 192)
I heard Katherine speak at IF:Gathering 2016 and she was one of the few speakers I actually liked - she was so funny! I picked this up to hear more of her story, figuring she'd bring her humor into this, also. She didn't.
The book isn't poorly written, but it was a fairly dry memoir compared to others I've read. It focused on what happened, and while Jay and Katherine's emotions were mentioned here and there, the readers were never given a chance to really sit with them and soak in the suffering. They were so quick to point out that God is good and has a plan (true things, to be sure) that it made their suffering almost seem insincere.
While I didn't connect with this one on the whole, I do have a couple favorite quotes:
"[God] knows this is part of the story He is writing for me, for my family, and for all of the creation He is making right. It is not a plan B, and I trust that." (p. 18)
"All my life, before the stroke, I had been confident, admired, and strong. I know in my head that I still am these things in many ways, but when your life is taken down to zero, it's hard not to feel that your ability to contribute as a human being is also zero..." (p. 192)
jvos's review against another edition
4.0
I had first heard Katherine speak 2 years ago sharing an abbreviated version of their story. I didn't realize when I purchased the book that Jay had co-wrote it, what a pleasant surprise! I definitely gravitated towards his writings as they seemed to dive deeper into the painful side and not just gloss over it to get to the hope. Overall it was an inspiring book that brought on self identifying/reflection. I definitely would recommend this one!
laurenpedersen's review against another edition
5.0
This book was given to me for my birthday in 2016 by my aunt. Her pastor is the father-in-law of the woman whom this book is about - and suffered a stroke in her 20s. It’s difficult to read because it’s heart-wrenching. But it is an incredible story of hope and commitment.
neingram's review against another edition
2.0
I first heard of Katherine and Jay's story when they came to speak at my church. I was amazed by the way they partnered in telling of how Katherine's brain injury had shaped their adult lives and eagerly bought a copy of their book after the service in a desire to know more about their journey. Their story is powerful and unique, but the telling of it in this work often feels preachy and inauthentic. The level of detail provided in the description of Katherine's injury and ultimate recovery is well-documented, but the telling of their story often feels emotionally superficial. In the epilogue, Katherine writes, "Suffering powerfully informs who I am now. While awful and painful, affliction has led to a heartbreaking but beautiful deepening in me." I wish Wolf had delved deeper into her suffering and spent some time resting there with her readers. There are moments where Wolf acknowledges negative emotions such as anger, bitterness, and profound sadness, but immediately after, she switches to speaking of how she didn't let those feelings overcome her and to expressing gratitude for God. Writing a memoir, particularly about such a traumatic event, can be a vulnerable and painful process. I wonder how much the dearth of authentic expression of those darkest times is a defense mechanism; perhaps it's simply too painful to dive that deep, perhaps Wolf thought that an emphasis on the bleakest of moments would detract from her story of hope and gratitude. Yet, even with these shortcomings, I'm still glad that I read this book. Their story is truly exceptional.
bookwormchelle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
covergirlbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a testimony from a couple who have tread a very painful path through suffering. Their words are honest and vulnerable as they share how medical crisis and life in the aftermath impacted their view of life and their understanding of the word healing. In gain and loss "we have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19)." Only through Christ.
deatonrmr0161's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
dannb's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly transparent from beginning to end. Much more depth than might be expected. Read it slowly and savor its impact on you, the reader.
abby_leigh's review against another edition
5.0
A masterful story of suffering. My words couldn’t do it justice.