Book Review: Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce

Title: Amy Inspired
Author: Bethany Pierce
Publisher: Bethany House, Minneapolis
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0850-8
Genre: Christian fiction/contemporary

Plot of Amy Inspired
Thirty-year-old Amy is an adjunct English professor and frustrated writer. Amid a breakup, an unplanned houseguest, and the fawning of one of her students, Amy wonders what's happened to her dreams. All the things she wanted to do before she turned thirty have disappeared from her schedule, and the things stealing all her time seem unremarkable to Amy. When things go sour with her male houseguest, Amy must admit her problems go deeper than she imagined. As she surveys her past, she tries to sort out how her parents' failed marriage and her legalistic upbringing have affected her whole life.

Why to Read Amy Inspired
Pierce drives the story with her characters and their relationships. As a result, Amy Inspired has a richness which is absent from many of today's plot-driven episodes. Relationships of all kinds come into play: romantic, familial, friendship, professional. We enjoy a remarkably complete view of Amy for only spending 300-some pages with her.

Cautions
Christians trying to escape legalistic backgrounds may find affinity with Amy, and her reactions to her past seem natural. On the flip side, Amy displays a moral uncertainty which is not inspiring. She's the kind of gal I'd be friends with but wouldn't want to imitate. That makes it hard to respect her or like her as much as I want to.

People Who Might Like Amy Inspired
People struggling with their church backgrounds may find good company here. Since Amy is a frustrated writer, certain elements of this book are likely to appeal to aspiring authors, too. Amy asks a lot of questions about how her writing matters if no one reads it and how inspiration works.

Artists may also enjoy this book. Pierce herself is a painter, so a character's discussion about the intersection between faith and art comes off authentically.

Rating by No-Spoilers
3 out of 5

Note: Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review, and these opinions are my own.