On the surface this may look like an ordinary, unremarkable family. But this story highlights that nobody is ordinary. Everyone has a rich and fascinating history that has formed them to be the people they are.
Benny has his unusual medical issues, but a massive open heart that welcomes the vulnerable and mirrors the love of Jesus. Janet has a broken heart, but has poured herself out completely to care for her son. The others are equally different, damaged, precious and valuable.
Janet draws her identity from being Benny’s mum, putting him first in everything for the last 16 years. Unbeknown to her family, she carries a dark story from her past that her family have never spoken of, that has torn the family apart. But when that secret eventually comes out it becomes a story of healing and reconciliation. The truth really does set her free.
The flawed nature of the characters make them relatable, and it is a pleasure to understand them deeper (having read Alex’s first book, Just Benny), and especially to get to know the background that has formed and framed the family life across many years. We learn this backstory at the same time as most of the family, which reveals the reasons why the characters are as they are.
The book deals with the themes of guilt and forgiveness, especially being able to forgive yourself, that stem from tragic loss, as well as reconciliation and the importance of maintaining family bonds rather than allowing them to remain broken.
Ultimately it is a story of reconciliation for the family, a long time after a tragedy has broken them, but also and underlying story of reconciliation of faith. Returning to a Father who has always been there, and is ready to welcome His prodigals with open arms.
Faith is a part of their lives that is not far below the surface, but dealt with in a realistic way, in that it may not always be front and centre in our messy complicated lives, but it is there as a foundation.
Releasing Janet, by Alex Banwell, is available here.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
