Live Like You Were Dying: A Story about Living

by Michael Morris and Michael Morris

Book Overview

Live Like You Were Dying is the unforgettable story inspired by Tim McGraw's #1 Country Music song of the same name. It weaves a tale of the miracles that happen once you stop being so busy with life... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1595540253
• ISBN13: 9781595540256
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

A grave medical diagnosis, the ensuing quest for adventure, mended relationships, and a reconnection

Michael Morris is a name well-known to fans of Christian fiction, particularly novels that cross over well into mainstream bookstores. His 2003 release, SLOW WAY HOME, was named one of the best novels of the year by two secular newspapers in U.S. cities. LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING, a 178-page novella, may well receive similar accolades for the year 2004. As country music fans might suspect, the book is based on the lyrics from a Tim McGraw hit of the same title, written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman. Morris took the lyrics and fashioned a story that seamlessly integrates all the elements of the song --- a grave medical diagnosis, the ensuing quest for adventure, mended relationships, and a reconnection with God. In Morris's version, Nathan Bishop cheats death in an industrial accident, only to have the resulting x-rays reveal a much more serious problem. Weighing his medical options, Nathan decides it's time that he starts to live as if he were dying. That means, in part, doing risky things he's never done before, like skydiving and riding a bull, both of which are activities mentioned in the lyrics. That also means doing things he never took the time to do, like spending time with his wife and 12-year-old daughter. And finally, it means doing things he never wanted to do, like forgiving his father. I have to confess that I was fully prepared to dislike this book. I figured that not even Morris could avoid producing a book that seemed contrived, since the content would be forced to fit the lyrics --- and the lyrics of a country song at that. But Morris proved he was more than equal to the task. Nothing about this book felt forced or inauthentic, and there's none of the "fluff" that I anticipated in a book of this type. Among the many strengths: Morris's excellent command of the language, realistic dialogue (one of the aspects of quality fiction that too many authors fail to produce), and believable characters. In that last category, two of the standouts are Nathan's father and grandmother, two people who easily could have become stereotypes in the hands of a lesser author. Ron Bishop is reserved and remote, the kind of father who has never been able to show his affection. But Morris avoids casting him in a predictable light or overdoing it with a lot of commentary on why he is the way he is. Ron Bishop just is. And that makes him believable. Grand Vestal, Nathan's grandmother, gets my unofficial award for "best portrayal of an elderly woman." If, like me, you've noticed that elderly women in Christian fiction are nothing at all like many of the elderly women in your life, you'll be glad to meet Grand Vestal. Morris apparently recognized the fact that older women are, well, not your father's grandmother. They aren't necessarily the sweet, simpering, saccharine women who call everyone "dearie" in too many other Christian novels, nor are they necessarily feisty, oddball characters that exist somewhere else along the caricature spectrum. They'r

Men can relate to this book

First time reviewer. I have to say that this book is not at all "sappy." I very seldom read fiction but devour non-fiction. The song is the reason I picked up a copy of the book. This book is not War And Peace but it is not a trite little book. There is enough truth in here to make me buy copies for my four children. As a father I completely understood how the character felt torn between work and family. Maybe this is a book that more men can relate to - who knows. Bottom line is that the book is a good read.

Surprised And Satisfied

We've all heard this song, at least if you listen to the radio at any point of any given day. However, I had never heard of this book. A friend recommended it and I'm glad that she did. This is not some little fluffy book like I first thought. It's a story about life and love that left me thinking about my own dreams. A well written book that is not to be missed. I predict that it will be a 'sleeper hit' that will become a bestseller because of word of mouth.

tear filled read

If you liked Tuesdays With Morrie then you will like this one as well. I read this little book in one sitting and at the end I was moved to tears. This book affirms that love and time are the greatest gifts that we have been given. The question is how will we use them? A wonderful book.

Surprised and Pleased

I normally don't read commercial stuff but Tim McGraw's song has had an amazing affect on me so I picked up the book too. It's a quick read but it packs a big punch. At the end I was thinking about some of the choices I've made in my life and what I would do differently. A beautiful story of family love that left me in tears.