Gotta be honest, I had high hopes for this book and was a bit disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high but I was really looking forward to the concept of self help and novel being combined, but it just didn't work well for me. The flow of the novel was interrupted by interjecting the self help portions. Not being familiar with Lybrand's previous work I am assuming that he shines in the self help area but is not yet a polished novelist. There were little things like fact that the characters often referred to each other by their proper names. If I am going to get into a novel I have to feel like these characters are my friends and we are hanging out together when I read. When reading this book I felt like it was one big long awkward blind date where I have to keep saying the guys name so I don't forget it.
Now apart from my above comments I did enjoy the self help parts of the book. I thought that he had some great points and made valid connections.
Overall I thought the concept of the book and the self help side of it was great, it was the novel side that I was disappointed in. Two out of three ain't bad.
Here's what others had to say:
Click on cover to see the Glaen book trailer!
What readers are saying about Fred Lybrand’s Glaen:
“This book was a creative glimpse into what freedom in relationships truly looks like and how to relate in authentic ways with those around you. For me, I found it refreshing and thought provoking because it really challenges the way many of us have looked at relationships before.” ~ Christine (27 years old)
“Glaen is has been a great tool to start discussions with my teenage daughters and help them to understand romance and dating in a healthier way.” ~ Christy (a mom)
“Glaen is a clear, straight-forward book with deep, lasting insights about a universally puzzling subject...dating. If you begin it, you will see it through to the end; if not for its wisdom, for also its engaging story. If you care about having a relationship that lasts a lifetime, you will be greatly gratified by reading this story, or sorely deprived by missing out on it.” ~ Stephen (18 years old)
“…insightful, clever, and tied together with surprising twists. I found the “lies” countered with “truths” presented within the narrative to bring clarity to the often confusing subject of relationships.” ~ Grant (a senior pastor)
Author Fred Lybrand takes an in-depth look into relationships and dating, plus a little common sense for the real day-to-day world, in his latest book, Glaen.
Glaen introduces the character of Annie Hughes just as she suffers the loss of one of life’s foundational relationships—her parents’ marriage. As a graduate student, Annie suddenly finds herself at a loss to understand how any relationship finds and maintains lifetime staying power, especially a relationship as intimate as marriage.
Lybrand’s character development of Annie Hughes allows him to outline several foundational truths. Using Annie’s “research” and “journal” entries as the vehicle to present thought-provoking ideas to the reader, Lybrand first uncovers the lies of a secular world-view and then counters those lies with the truth of God’s design for the marriage relationship. These observations are made even clearer as the reader observes Annie’s interaction with other couples and friends who are in the process of dating and considering marriage. As she questions her friends’ choices, she also takes an honest look at the relationships she is developing within her own life.
The life changing principles found in Glaen are the gems Lybrand wants readers to take from the story and experience in their own lives and relationships. Thus, Glaen is a book that demands a second reading, as those who read its story will want to go through it again and highlight and examine the truths Annie uncovers throughout her journey. This book will serve as a great teaching tool for parents to use with their children as well as for church leaders guiding couples who are seeking a more satisfying marriage relationship.
Glaen by Fred R. Lybrand
The Barnabas Agency February 2010
ISBN: 978-0-578-04652-5/softcover/
Website: www.glaen.com ~ Blog: www.glaen.wordpress.com
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