Book Review: The Air We Breathe

From the back of the book:

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0555-2

New from the Winner of ECPA's Fiction Book of the Year.

Seventeen-year-old Molly Fisk does not go outside. She's ruled by anxiety and only feels safe in the tiny tourist-town museum she and her mother run and call home. Yearning to live free but unable to overcome deep wounds from her past, she stays hidden away. Then the chance arrival of a woman Molly knew six years ago changes everything.

Six years ago, newly single Claire Rodriguez was an empty shell. Only in the unique friendship she strikes up with a young girl - a silent girl who'll only talk to Claire - does she see the possibility of healing. But one day the girl and her mother vanish, their house abandoned. What happened that drove them away? And how can Claire now offer Molly the same chance at finding at new life?

My Reflections:

Much like the wax figures in the museum Molly lives in, she has cocooned herself in a place where she feel ‘safe” and life is predictable.

 Although Molly’s Life feels dead and listless, and she yearns for the outside world, Molly finds herself unable to step outside and live life to its fullest.  

Could Claire be the one holding the key to living a full and normal life?

The Air We Breathe is an emotionally charged novel, which beautifully illustrates God’s leading in our lives. Are we passing up the small but life changing opportunities he is presenting us with each day?

I often found myself holding my breath through this book, as I read some sections of this narrative I experienced a sick sinking feeling deep within me. There was so much tragedy in the first part of this novel that I had to put the book aside for a couple of days. 

Knowing this author and her work, I was able to press on and get the message Parrish had for her readers, I can tell you I was not disappointed!

Parrish has written a masterfully sculpted story that truly made me feel that I was a part of Molly and Claire’s journey into healing. Although not easy to read, her work is tender, well written and thoroughly researched. Her Characters are real, and have an emotional depth rarely found.

Parrish has a way of weaving Gods truth’s and love into her books in an appealing and unanticipated manner. This is Christian fiction at its best!

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a deep and meaningful read. I would however caution people with deep wounds from an abusive background though because it is such an emotionally charged book.

I look forward to reading more of Parrish’s books her talent is extraordinary!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

About the Author:  


Christa Parrish is an award-winning author of three novels. Her debut, Home Another Way (Bethany House, 2008) was a finalist for the ECPA Fiction Book of the Year. Her second novel, Watch Over Me, won the ECPA Fiction Book of the Year and the ForeWord Reviews bronze medal for religious fiction. Her long-awaited third novel, The Air We Breathe (Bethany House, 2012) has already been named a finalist for the 2013 Christianity Today Book Award.
When not writing, Christa is creative director of the modern contemporary worship service at her church and co-director of the youth group. She also produces a weekly radio show, helps facilitate DivorceCare and DC4K, chauffeurs her Grand Champion blue belt to and from Taekwondo clases, and chases a toddler. She and her husband, author and pastor Chris Coppernoll, have three children in their blended family: Gray (18), Jacob (11), and Claire (2).