Patched Together: A Story of My Story

by Brennan Manning

Book Overview

Have you ever felt the loneliness that overwhelms the soul - the longing to be loved and truly accepted? In this rich parable, a sad boy named Willie Juan finds belonging in the eyes of the mysterious... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1434700038
• ISBN13: 9781434700032
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: David C Cook
• Length: 138 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.4" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Christian or Non-Christian- Understand the message of Love

This is a good book which deals with Jesus Christ as a Medicine man, who loves to practice his religion " Love". The book tracks a young boy with flaws who understands the religion of love with the help of the "Man of Sorrows" - Jesus Christ. Even if you don't beleive in Christianity or Jesus Christ, this book will show the meaning of true christian principles.

A fine piece of Christian fiction, highly recommended

An author leaves a piece of himself with every story. "Patched Together: A Story of My Story" is a semi-autobiographical tale from Brennan Manning, using the character of Willie Juan to tell a moving story that countless readers with empathize with and relate to, inspiring them with the faith and Christian determination that Manning leaves throughout the tale. "Patched Together" is a fine piece of Christian fiction, highly recommended.

Another Modern Parable of a Heart's Lament and a Song of Joy

"Patched Together" is one more evidence of the unique gift of story that is the trademark of Brennan Manning's writing. He is best known for his bestselling books "The Ragamuffin Gospel" and "Abba's Child." Manning writes from a vast diversity of ministry, brokenness, and restoration. Manning's writing touches the heart of the reader, as he introduces the "Man of Sorrow," in a reality far outdistancing today's fascination with reality TV programming. He involves the reader in an interactive experience and response as he bares his soul through the emotions of his characters. He speaks of loneliness, friendship, love, and resentment. He describes the price of success and the cost of bitterness,and guilt. He relates wonder of the forgiveness of God. The story begins in the morning of the spiritual life and the excitement of newly meeting the savior. He talks about the noon day when a drifting and neglect begins as this first love is lost in the mundane of daily living, in the grasp for material things as the pressure for self advancement, rampant in today's society, crowds out prayer and the practice of the message of God' love. Brennan's writing clearly comes from the experiences he gained when facing up to the furious longing of God. Manning is articulate, convincing, convicting, and genuine in his challenge to embrace love and find joy in the night time of your journey. "Patched Together" is a modern parable of a heart's lament which produces a song of joy. Superb!

The Final Chapter?

It's no coincidence that Brennan Manning has put the final chapter to some previous work that he had done in the story of Willie Juan, a not too subtle semi-autobiographical character and parable that looks back reflectively on a life that has been spent in the pursuit of a genuine relationship with God. Brennan Manning is in the evening of his walk. While many of his previous works have focused upon the message of what he has learned in walking with his God and Saviour, in this book, Brennan is the message. While it may appear, understandably, to many to be a little rough around the edges, the truth is, with Brennan, what you see is what you get. The book shines forth his imperfections as well as his heart which is a great deal of what those who have loved his books in the past have appreciated and picked up in reading. Being familiar with Brennan's past history and having read several of his books, this book, which may be his last, struck me as a fitting exclamation point to a man who has pointed me in the passion of his walk toward a loving father. Well done, Willie Juan; well done. 5 stars for more than the story. Bart Breen

Do You Trust Me?

This slim volume is the biographical and fictional tale of Willie Juan, a boy from a small town who suffers enormous heartache. The book is written in three sections, Morning, Noon and Night, which correspond to youth, adulthood and old age. In Morning, we learn that Willie is disfigured, orphaned and scorned by the other children. He is quietly raised by his grandmother who shows him the path to the Cave of Brilliance. Willie has an encounter with The Man of Sorrows, who heals him with the balm of love, opening his heart. In Noon, Willie discovers his talents and vocations. He falls in love. He learns about possessions and wealth. He is afflicted by a degenerative eye condition and the loss of his love. He questions the experiences he had with The Man of Sorrows. Where is this Man now? In Night, Willie is married. He learns to love and to freely give. He learns that the question God asks of us is not how many prayers we prayed or how many times we went to church, but did you enjoy your life your were given? Did you live a life of gratitude? I have read many of Manning's books over the years. I have always loved the way he can make God's love simple, passionate and real. I will be passing this book around to my fellow ragamuffins.