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There are currently 39 member reviews
for Anatomy of a Miracle
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Windell H. (Rock Hill, SC)
Insightful
This book touches on many social issues and misconceptions. An almost believable story for today's social norms and conceptions. Touches on areas of science and religion and the changing of social mores in the ever changing landscape of the human condition. To summarize, the acceptance of people that are different from "normal" (just like us) need to conform to our beliefs or continue through life on the road of failure and despair. The bright spot in the story is the defiance of trying to fit in and just be yourself!
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Reader (Chico, CA)
Anatomy of a Miracle
I enjoyed almost all of this book. It reads very much like non-fiction and that was interesting to me because I am mostly a non-fiction reader. The premise is a challenging one to keep in the air without crashing and the author is very successful with this juggling act. A couple of the digressions slowed it down for me toward the end. The larger issues of the book are very timely and thoughtful. All in all, a good read.
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Nancy K. (Perrysburg, OH)
Interesting Characters Galore
This is not the type of book I normally read- usually I like thrillers or books by famous enough authors. So, I took my time getting started on this book by Jonathan Miles. Shame on me because it turns out to be a very interesting read, full of some of the quirkiest characters you will ever meet. I am thinking of Winston Lorinar, the doctor's father especially.
Words such as tender, sad, funny and wise could all be used to describe this book. Anatomy of a Miracle will be one of those books that will spread by word of mouth. I know I have already told a couple of my reading friends about it!
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Millicent G. (Cypress, TX)
Conflicted...
Jonathan Miles has written a thought provoking novel completely in the style of investigative journalism. He had me questioning if this was actually a true story at one point because of his nonfiction style...he absolutely nailed it. The characters were so real to me, the social issues right off the front page, the research behind the medical , military and religious information so deep.
However, when I came to the end and read the acknowledgements, I was put off by the continuation of the style. It became too clever at that point. I was ready for some words from the author spoken from his heart in his real voice. The book is full of serious issues that beg for serious discussion and every reader is going to look up dazed at the end and wonder what if...
The last two pages made me wonder if I had misinterpreted the entire tone of the book. Serious or parody?
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Julia A. (New York, NY)
Well Worth a Reader's Time
"Anatomy of a Miracle" is in many ways a remarkable book. It is written in a style that mimics a documentary closely enough that I actually found myself Googling Cameron Harris (interesting name, there is a real Cameron Harris who is somewhat notorious in the "fake news" world). That is, I knew it was a novel, but I found myself questioning whether it was, in the same way people in the novel question whether Cameron's healing is a miracle or a hoax.
Another thing I liked is that a lot of careful research went into the writing; for example, description of the Vatican process investigation of miracles when considering someone for sainthood is quite accurate. At first I questioned the author's decision to withhold an essential fact about Cameron until more than halfway through the novel, since the development of that aspect of his character was important to the story, and to how people's reaction to the miracle changed when Cameron's true self was revealed. However, the sensitive development of this aspect of Cameron (no spoilers here) was essential to the plot line, and gave the novel an ending that is hopeful and optimistic.
There is something for almost everyone here, and don't skip the last chapter before the epilogue; that chapter has a lot to say about the nature of imagination and storytelling, put into the mouth of a minor character who doesn't make an appearance until very close to the end of the novel (although he was mentioned in passing earlier). All in all, "Anatomy of a Miracle" is well worth the reader's time, and will leave you with much to think about on several topics.
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Terri C. (Litchfield, NH)
Anatomy of a Miracle
The author has an engrossing writing style that keeps you feeling like your right in the middle of the storyline every step of the way. The reading experience is often more than the story itself and I appreciated Jonathan Miles ability to captivate my mind as well as my interest as each chapter unfolds to weave a story well told. I would recommend this to anyone looking for your next great read!
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Marcia S
Anatomy of a Miracle
I found this a very thought provoking book. Cameron, who has been paralyzed for four years, suddenly rises from his wheel chair and walks. Is is a miracle? Many try to prove or disprove the validity of the occurrence. Others try to profit from it. Cameron seems baffled by the whole thing. Even the Vatican gets involved, trying to tie it to a man they want to make a saint. The characters are well-written and easy to follow. I did find the book a bit long. I do recommend it and would like to add this quote from the book, p. 250, "...he'd stolen reality from them." An interesting concept— exactly what is the reality here? Read the book and find out!
