After the suicide of his father, Chad Daniel finds himself on the other side of the world, investigating the mysteries behind the Aokigahara in Japan, a forest known for the lives lost inside it. There Chad is forced to confront a ghost from his past as well as the forces out to destroy his future."The Curse of the Father is a thought-provoking and engaging message to people from all walks of life." -Joyce MeyerThere is a secret in the forest surrounding the quiet town of Aokigahara; many visitors kill themselves deep inside it. The locals don't want to talk about it, and they despise the forest's new nickname: The Suicide Forest. But when an obscure Japanese handbook is found at the scene of countless recent suicides in the forest, Chad Daniel dares to investigate the haunted Aokigahara, all the while carrying his own emotional wounds left by the death of his father.Chad is joined by three others: a TV producer who doesn't believe in ghosts, an aspiring actress who is as beautiful as she is superstitious, and a brazen guide who has a secretive history to the forest and it's inhabitants. They venture off the beaten path and into the unknown, but when the actress vanishes, Chad fears this endeavor may be more than what he bargained for. As the sun sets and darkness settles over the forest, a dark and seductive voice whispers to Chad, beckoning him to join his father on the other side of eternity.The Curse of the Father is as thrilling as it is poignant - a chilling tale of life after loss. Chad Daniel expertly weaves the tragic suicide of his father and his real-life journey to the Suicide Forest with hints of supernatural metaphor to communicate his testimony of redemption in a compelling and fresh way. The Curse of the Father serves not only as a thrilling story, but also as a narrative in which Chad candidly reveals significant parallels between his thrilling journey through the Aokigahara and the pitfalls we face in our walk of life.
What an incredible book. It was so much more than I was expecting! Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down until I got to the very last page...so maybe this book should come with packets of caffeine so that you can stay awake all night to finish? :) But not only was this a fun, thrilling read, it also opened my eyes to so much about how people struggle with depressive thoughts and the deep pain of losing a loved one to suicide. I had no idea about the Suicide Forest in Japan, and the writer completely transported me inside this forest. I felt like I was right there with the characters the whole way!
Every person should read this book...especially because there is so much HOPE communicated even through some of the darkest scenes. I highly recommend this one for everyone!
I picked up this book after one of Chad Daniel’s Life Events at our church. His message was undeniably heartbreaking and thought provoking. This book is a more detailed and expanded version of that message. Having an already solid knowledge and understanding of what I was reading it made it easier (mentally and emotionally) to read. The topic of Suicide is not one to take lightly, and Chad does a fantastic job of conveying it’s seriousness without glorifying it. I absolutely love how he centers around his faith and allows the reader to really understand the power of God.
My only setback with the book is the physical creation of metaphorical characters. He goes on to explain his reasoning for this in the epilogue; however, for me, it takes away from the authenticity of the story and turns it more into science fiction as opposed to non fiction. Other than that though, I highly recommend this book (paired with the Sea of Trees documentary) to anyone who may be battling with these issues of depression, thoughts of self harm and suicide, or knows someone who is going through it!
Community,....... No man is an island.......connecting with people and creating love experiences with families of friends and loved ones... this is what we should do every day! Jesus' blood protects us, cleanses us, heals us!
Once I picked this book up, I could NOT put it down. The writer takes you on a journey and you become invested in the characters, especially knowing that it is based on a TRUE STORY! I had questions along the way, I was curious about certain elements of the book and surprisingly, the epilogue answered every single question! This book is unmatched in content, it has action, adventure, and suspense. It is a true thriller that will keep you on your feet.
While the thrill and suspense kept me engaged, I think it is important to mention the depth of detail and emotion this book relays. The author authentically conveys the heartbreak that comes with suicide. This book gently eases you into the topic of suicide, but it does not shy away from the much needed dialogue about the topic. It does not shove suicide down your throat, instead, it exposes darkness in a unique way allowing revelation that is applicable to any walk of life. I laughed, smiled, and cried while reading it. The spiritual components, the majestic suspense, intriguing questions, and heartfelt emotions leave you wanting more. I don’t want to delve into the ending too much because I don’t want to give it away, just know that the ending leaves no stone unturned and you will NOT be disappointed!
This book is incredible, and honestly... I have never read anything like it. I had high expectations going in, but chapter after chapter I found myself more engrossed and invested in what was going to happen next. It completely exceeded anything I thought I was going to get. If you are going to buy it, be warned that many of the chapters will wreck you (in the best possible way). The myriad of emotions you WILL feel during this book is never overwhelming, but absolutely necessary considering the subject of discussion. The more dramatic elements of the book never take away from its main theme, and like Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "fiction reveals truth that reality obscures." In summary, I feel like I somehow matured during my reading of this book, despite it only taking me a few hours. It left an incredible impression on me that only great literature can, and I have no qualms recommending it to anyone - especially people who are left grieving or searching for answers about life, death, and suicide. I am confident this book will be comfort to you like it was to me.
This book is incredible! The extraordinary use of descriptive language facilities vivid pictures in your mind all the way through! It draws you in so deeply you cannot put it down. It is both chilling and emotional for anyone having experienced the shocking and painful ramifications of suicide. The epilogue was so personally impacting I’ve re-read it several times! I cannot recommend highly enough.
I just finished this thrilling, yet powerful book. It covers such a hard topic in a very practical way, yet gives so much hope in finding hope, answers and healing from experiencing severe loss. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one to suicide, or dealing with it yourself, this book is for you. You will find true hope that God has a purpose for your life. And healing is possible for you.
I couldn’t put this book down! Well written and so much depth. So many twists and turns...you’ll be on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. The Curse of The Father is a must read!
Chad Daniel expertly weaves his testimony of losing his father to suicide and the spiritual forces at work in all of our lives to craft a captivating tale of life after Loss.
Loved! I got goose bumps reading this one! Intense, adventurous, intriguing, and full of heart. AND, the illustrations in the book were incredible. Would definitely recommend!