A fresh, evocative discourse about the afterlife, God, religion, science, life and death

Synopsis

"Unflinching, thought-provoking, and deeply moving. This book asks the questions most are afraid to answer honestly."

A courtroom drama for the soul

"For Jacob Hinsen, a lawyer of logic and reason, his world shatters with the senseless death of his nine-year-old daughter. He embarks on a powerful and emotional odyssey, leaving his career behind to cross-examine faith itself.

From the rigid doctrines of fundamentalism to the serenity of mystical paths, Jacob's journey is a profound exploration of grief, doubt, and the human search for a meaning that transcends tragedy.

A grieving dad embarks on a journey in AW Schade’s novel, The Shattered Mosaic: A father’s search for proof in a world of faith. Behind, he leaves the people he loves, the job, and everything else. Of course, life doesn’t wait for any man, as he immediately realizes.

Even so, this man has questions for which he needs fact-based answers. He trots the globe, interviewing and writing in his journals, all the time disappointed because the answers he gets can’t pass his scrutiny. Is he framing his questions wrong? Or some questions don’t have answers, mysteries and are subject to one’s interpretation?

The question of what fate awaits man after death and whether God truly exists are approached from every angle in this book, be it religiously or scientifically.

Religiously, Jacob goes to churches and mosques, where he’s assured his dead loved one awaits him in Heaven and that God watches over His creation, knows His people’s pain, such as Jacob’s. Scientifically, Jacob encounters a man on the train, who sits him down and explains death and God in straight, clear terms.

First, as a reader, I’m compelled to appreciate Schade’s work. This book is philosophically, religiously and scientifically rich. Earlier, I had wondered why take readers through 420 pages on a topic that could be answered in a mere page. However, as I read along, I began to see the light: to realize the book I’m holding in my hands is a convergence of ideas, an encyclopedia.

Grief affects us all, at some darkest moments in our lives, and while we’d get back to living at some point, Jacob doesn’t. I followed Jacob’s journey, knowing he’d give up at some point, especially after he received bad news from home and no tangible answers came his way, but Jacob defied the odds.

His years as a lawyer make him the ideal person to engage men of the cloth and of science in constructive debate. And there are times when he annoys, because he wants faith to be explained to him as a lawyer would explain a crime in the courtroom, though his hosts are gentle and understanding people. As our protagonist here, I give Jacob a thumbs up.

Still on characters, Father Doyle impressed me. He’s patient, and above all, his friendship with Jacob remains true. I also like Arnold Kellner, a philosophy professor who briefly comes into Jacob’s life but leaves a great impression.

The words of Yasmin al-Khafaji still echo in my head: "You came seeking answers about God and your daughter. I gave you theology. But this hour, this laughter, this connection, perhaps this is the only proof we have that something transcends death. Love creating meaning between strangers."

Sarah’s story is illuminating as it explains why it’s important to hold onto hope even in the face of adversities.

To readers out there, read this book. It doesn’t matter your religion.

Reviewed by

Emily Omondi