I received an email for a special offer to review The Noticer by Thomas Nelson as part of the Book Review Blogger program. It sounded interesting and I love to read so I signed up. I am so glad I did. This book is worth a read!
This book sheds light on the importance of perspective. Jones is a noticer, he goes about his life and pays attention to what goes on around him. He knows people, their names and habits and needs and pleasures, just because he really sees them. Then once in awhile he steps in to talk to them, ask them questions and tell them stories, to help them gain some perspective.
The story is needed. The concept of perspective has always fascinated me. One of my favorite lines is Ben Kenobi’s statement “So what I told you was true … from a certain point of view.” This book brings up a number of situations where people are struggling with issues or living a life made tough by poor choices where they need to stop and change course. The problem is we often don’t know how to stop or how to change. We feel this is how I am and I can’t change it. I thought the book did a great job of showing how change is always possible, choice is always available to us, and there is hope for our future.
I have not read anything else by Andy Andrews so I was not aware of his story before reading this book. I am interested in The Traveler’s Gift and other books now and will look them up. The story is told in the first person, which is not my favorite, but it works well in this book, especially since chapters where the author isn’t present are told in the omniscient third person style. The writing style is clear, easy, and enjoyable.
Now, the official information about the book.
A moving story of common wisdom from the bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift.
Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But they all have their share of problems – marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, and many of the other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.
Fortunately, when things look the darkest – a mysterious old man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. Communicating what he calls “a little perspective,” Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. In his simple interactions, Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what they can do about it.
Based on a remarkable true story, The Noticer beautifully blends fiction, allegory, and inspiration.
Check out these videos featuring Andy Andrews and The Noticer:
- Why am I the Wayward
- Why am I the Lover Lost
- Why am I the Worrier
- Why am I the Lustful Youth
- Why am I the Workaholic
- Why am I the Useless
- Full Length
And there is a project to encourage people to tell others how much they appreciate them. Visit http://www.thenoticerproject.com for more information about “The Noticer Project.”
Here is the Andy Andrews website with some downloads and other information.
