I'm here again with another review! This time it is Newton & Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace by Jody Hedlund.
This book is based on the life of John Newton, author of the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace". It is so popular that even non-Christians know of it. Yet, the words of that hymn are achingly beautiful, despite having become common.
This is Jody's take on John's life. She did the research, and put together a story based on real-life events. Long before the hymn was written, John could care less about God. He pretty much lived life as he pleased. As the story begins, he is fairly likable. After he meets Polly and falls in love almost instantly, he isn't such a bad guy. He is smart, funny, and very helpful to the Catlett family. But he begins a series of bad decisions, poor judgments, and a lazy, who-cares-I'm-doing-whatever-I-want attitude. Though Polly is a devout Christian, John runs farther and farther from God.
We know the outcome. We know God will get a hold of John, and that John would lead a godly life and write an amazing hymn. We don't know exactly how he'll get there. Jody weaves a story about a man who rejected God time and again. But when John finally realizes just how much God loves him, finally, finally, he comes face to face with what a wretched sinner he is. And finally, he experiences amazing grace.
Through it all, Polly has a choice to make. Will she wait for John? She loves him, but he has repeatedly rejected God, and that simply is not what she desires in a husband.
This story really touched me. John was indeed wretched, sinking deeper into the mire of his own sin. Yet, in him, I glimpsed parts of myself. I am no better, no less in need of God's grace than he.
I am reminded of Psalm 139: 7-10. "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or wither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."
God sought after John with a love so fierce, it would not let him go. His pursuit was relentless. Had John ignored God, we would have missed out on a hymn so beautiful, and we would have lost the many hearts that have been softened because of it.
Jody's research was in-depth, and I enjoy her writing style. She puts us there, directly with the characters, and for a brief moment, I am sitting in their shoes. The attention she pays to detail, how a character reacts and shows emotion, for example, is thorough and almost artistic.
*I received this book in advance in exchange for a positive review. All opinions are my own. Typos are due to the awkwardness of trying to type with a sleeping baby on my lap.
