First published 1995
Edward Ives built his life around order and faith. As a successful businessman, he found comfort in routine and meaning in his Catholic beliefs. His greatest pride was his son Robert, a dedicated seminary student preparing for ordination. Then came the Christmas that destroyed everything. Robert died violently, his promising future as a priest cut short in a senseless act. The tragedy shatters Ives completely. His faith crumbles. The God he trusted feels absent. The Christmas season becomes a source of pain rather than joy. Ives must navigate a world that no longer makes sense, where his deepest beliefs offer no comfort and his son's empty chair reminds him daily of what was stolen. This is the story of a man confronting the limits of faith when faced with unthinkable loss.
Genres: christian-fiction, american-fiction, 20th-century, contemporary, adult-fiction, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: grief, loss, tragedy
Period: Christmas
256 pages · Hardcover · Harper/Collins
Content warnings: death