Finding Anna: Music of the Heart

by Christine Schaub

Book Overview

"Deserves a standing ovation. [Schaub] has given flesh to historical figures and illuminated redemptive suffering." - Romantic Times. This historical novel opens on the eve of the Great Chicago Fire... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764200593
• ISBN13: 9780764200595
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

It is Well with My Soul

Anyone who has loved the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul” will find this book very interesting! The author has taken bare-bone facts about the author and woven a story, replete with social facts, around them. The result is a compelling story!

A poignant and inspirational book.

What I liked most about FINDING ANNA is the human (and therefore dramatic) context in which one of the classic and beloved hymns of the Christian church was born in the heart of the song's writer. I was somewhat unprepared for both the events that lead to H.G. Spafford's composing the text, and the realization that a song which I have loved but taken for granted at times, was the product of a faith tried by circumstances that I can barely conceive. Christine Schaub has written a powerful and poignant book and will hopefully emerge as an important voice in Christan fiction. I look forward to future stories in the Music of the Heart series. Highly, highly recommended.

Inspirational

Finding Anna was truly inspirational! I loved it. I cannot wait to read the second of this series. I found the mix of history and fiction a delight to read. Tasteful and well written!

It Is Well With My Soul

Since "It Is Well With My Soul" is my favorite hymn I was looking forward to reading this book which is a novel about the story behind that great hymn. I was not dissappointed. I enjoyed this book a lot. It begins with the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and ends with the tragedy at sea that lead to H.G. Spafford writing that great hymn mentioned above. Even though this is a novel it is based on facts. Everything written is very believeable even though it probably didn't all happen as written. This book was hard to put down. You want to keep reading until the end. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Amazing!!! Have Kleenex Handy!!!

All I have to say is...have a BOX of kleenex handy as you will need it for this read!!! With that said... Finding Anna is a story about finding faith, and truly believing in that faith. Anna and her husband Spafford are blessed...or so it seems. They are truly in love, have a house, security, and beautiful children. But their individual faith is about to be put to the test. Fire, disease, and eventually true loss. Will Anna and Spafford be able to mend their marriage, find faith with God, and survive the trial of life, and what will be the gift that is generated by all of this? This was an amazing story! Ms. Schaub is off to a great start with her new series and this is one read that I highly recommend. This is a read that will make you think, but at the same time entertain. This is truly a read that will touch your emotions. Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

terrific inspirational historical biographical fiction

In October of 1871 the inferno rages with the Chicago business district destroyed. Horatio Gates Spafford informs his partner Henry McDaid that their law partnership has gone the way of the fire as the flames engulf their office. Horatio tells the man he considers his brother that they must get their wives and children to safety. When he reaches Lincoln Park to meet his family there, Horatio is stunned by the destruction and assumes that he sent his family to their deaths, but soon finds his wife Anna alive and she tells him the children are home safe and sound. The fire that destroyed much of Chicago and devastated his legal business also scarred Anna, who cannot even get out of bed to care for their children. Horatio wants to help those in need, but fails to see his spouse's needs. He turns to God and real estate to help the downtrodden while she has doubts about a deity that would cause biblical destruction. Over the next two years, their relationship further erodes until they agree to go on a European vacation with their four daughters seeking redemption through God and healing with each other starting with the hymn he writes, "It Is Well With My Soul." FINDING ANNA is a terrific inspirational historical biographical fiction novel that digs deep into the Chicago Fire especially the aftermath through a wonderful ensemble cast though the Spaffords are the prime players. Readers will appreciate the depth of the tale as Anna suffers from battle fatigue syndrome and her disillusionment with God while Horatio feels he has found his calling, but fails to apply his good deeds at home. Readers will cherish the first "Music of the Heart" tale and look forward to more such stories behind the Hymns. Harriet Klausner