Three things can make me like a book: a great story, great writing, or a great message.  Confessions from a Farmer's Wife, the debut novel of Caroline Way, has all three of those criteria and then some.

Great story:  Confessions is based on the life of Job in the Bible and draws parallels from it, but it is not merely a modern retelling of the story. Way has crafted a story--set in 1920s Vermont--that is completely fresh, with vibrant characters who draw you into their lives, their joys, their sorrows. Although the story of Job is familiar to me and I could see the parallels in  Confessions, I didn't find anything about the book predictable.

Great writing: Way has a background in film and has clearly used her gift of visualizing a story to paint beautiful images with her words. Confessions is woven throughout with vivid descriptions, humor, tension, joy and pain. You feel like you're right there on the farm watching events unfold.

Great message: Confessions isn't simply a great novel. It's not meant to provide entertainment or a temporary escape and then be forgotten. Confessions challenged me to rethink every time I've questioned God for allowing pain and trials into my life. With great sensitivity, it explores the human experience of suffering and loss, the need for understanding and answers, the struggle to connect with one's Creator, and the ultimate challenge of fully surrendering one's will to Him in faith. Way delves into all of this without coming across as preachy or heavy-handed. She leaves you with a sense that you have had a heart-to-heart chat with someone who has been there and who knows what she's talking about. And indeed you have, since the story is narrated by Jessie. There's no trickery here. Way doesn't lure you in with a great story and then hit you over the head with a sermon. It's just real--like the God who proves Himself to be good, merciful and loving.

Final lesson learned? Pain and suffering isn't about punishment. It's not even about finding answers. It's about courage, strength, faith and transformation.