Book Review: Real Love

In Real Love: Guaranteed to Last, author and poet Anne Peterson weaves simple, heart-felt stories to reveal deep abiding truths of God's infinite love for us.  Peppered in with the personal stories, Anne shares several of her poems.  I agree with another reviewer who observed that Anne is "a masterful storyteller and poet extraordinaire." My only complaint?  I wanted more ... more details and more poetry.  I would have loved to have had a poem attached to each and every chapter. My favorite poem, in Chapter Five, was "You Are God."

Anne tells stories about interactions with her grandsons, anger after a miscarriage, a dream-trip to Israel, dealing with her son's discouragement and despair, life with an abusive father, and dealing with the loss of her sister (at first missing, then ruled a homicide).  At only 43 pages, it is hard to believe she's packed so many stories into such a tiny package. Her life has been full of various trials and difficulties and yet she is able to see clearly to the love the Lord bestows in the midst of and through these trials.

If you are looking for encouragement and the stories of God's love revealed in another person's life, this quick, enduring read is for you.  It is bite-sized, but full of satisfying spiritual nourishment.