*I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was fascinating. That is the only word that comes to mind when I try to describe it. It’s not an action packed book, it’s not an exciting book, but it’s a book that explores relationships and faith and people and I couldn’t put it down. It is part religious fiction, part science fiction, and part relationship fiction, as well. 

The basic premise of the book is this: Peter, a pastor, is chosen to go on a mission to a new world and convert the native population. His wife must stay behind. What follows is their two experiences — their existence that was at one time tightly wound together is now alone and apart with only email type messages to communicate. Each deals with the “troubles” that come — and so the book explores how they handle that without the other person. It also briefly explores what type of personality is really needed in order to live in a “space station” of sorts, without any real contact with the world you came from, and what that can do to a person. (Read a longer summary here.) 

Again, fascinating. 

The title comes from what the native population call the Bible, and the book is beautiful with gilded edges to make it similar to that of a Bible. Sadly, I did not love the end of the book. I can’t pinpoint why, but it left me unsatisfied. Perhaps because I read through the end so fast to see what would happen that I didn’t linger over the pages enough to be satisfied. I will definitely have to read it again, this time knowing what happens, to see if I enjoy it more. But still, I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The writing was beautiful, and I am excited to read more of Michael Faber’s books.

(There are a couple brief sexual scenes and some language — just FYI.)