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Michael's Reward
Historically, there is only a handful of men whose lives crossed the spiritual intersection of three major religions; Christianity, Islam and Judiasm. Michael's Reward tells the story of a very rich and happy family man whose life is turned upside down when Satan gets God's permission to wage a battle against him in an effort to show God that Michael's love for Him is directly tied to all his riches. The ensuing catastrophes in Michael's life reduce him to living by the freeway in a box. But through his perseverance in faith, he's blessed with a visit from the Almighty, and his life is turned around. This beat for beat modern retelling of the Old Testament story of Job takes the classic dual between God and Satan and reshapes it to the challenges and tests of our faith today.
260 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
About the author
Mario Bernheim
4 books1 followerMr. Bernheim has worked in feature films at Universal Studios and Warner Brothers. He was also a founding staff member of Comic Relief on HBO.
Mario is considered by many writers, story consultants and producers to excel in developing screenplays as he has a strong intuition for story development. Recently, Mario has been a featured guest on various panels at screenwriting expos and seminars in aiding up-and-coming screenwriters in elevating their screenwriting techniques.
He’s completed two feature screenplays and various television pilot scripts in addition to finishing his first novel Michael’s Reward, based on one of his own screenplays.
An avid traveler with an interest in cross-cultural similarities, Mario has visited twenty-two countries on multiple continents. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife Michelle.
Mario is considered by many writers, story consultants and producers to excel in developing screenplays as he has a strong intuition for story development. Recently, Mario has been a featured guest on various panels at screenwriting expos and seminars in aiding up-and-coming screenwriters in elevating their screenwriting techniques.
He’s completed two feature screenplays and various television pilot scripts in addition to finishing his first novel Michael’s Reward, based on one of his own screenplays.
An avid traveler with an interest in cross-cultural similarities, Mario has visited twenty-two countries on multiple continents. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife Michelle.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 16, 2009
Michael Whiley had it all. He had a devoted wife, three great kids, lots of friends, a big house, and more money than he could ever spend. He had even just made a half million dollar donation to his church to build a youth center.
It’s very easy to be thankful and praise God when you have everything but what happens when everything begins to unravel? This is exactly what happened to Michael. It started on New Year’s with the news that all three of his children had been killed in a car accident. Then, through a series of coincidences, he lost his job, his house, his wife, and his friends. The poor man even got boils and ended up panhandling just to survive.
Michael’s Reward is a powerful story. I have to admit, I read the first chapter of this book and almost put it down for good. Michael had an arrogance to him that really put me off. I gave the book another chance and started to read the second chapter. From that point on, I didn’t stop reading until I finished the very last page. Somewhere in between, I came to realize that I make myself crazy by making snap judgments and thinking I have control over events in my own life. Sometimes, we are all very near sighted and only see how things affect us in short term.
It’s very easy to be thankful and praise God when you have everything but what happens when everything begins to unravel? This is exactly what happened to Michael. It started on New Year’s with the news that all three of his children had been killed in a car accident. Then, through a series of coincidences, he lost his job, his house, his wife, and his friends. The poor man even got boils and ended up panhandling just to survive.
Michael’s Reward is a powerful story. I have to admit, I read the first chapter of this book and almost put it down for good. Michael had an arrogance to him that really put me off. I gave the book another chance and started to read the second chapter. From that point on, I didn’t stop reading until I finished the very last page. Somewhere in between, I came to realize that I make myself crazy by making snap judgments and thinking I have control over events in my own life. Sometimes, we are all very near sighted and only see how things affect us in short term.
June 15, 2011
Michael's Reward is an imaginative, modern day retelling of the book of Job in the Bible. You know, that rich dude who lost everything but who stayed true to God, so he got it all back with interest.
Parts of the story must have been difficult for Bernheim to write. Michael's pain, when he loses his children, his wife, his wealth, his health, is just too vivid. Thankfully, I couldn't really relate, or the painful half of the story might have been overwhelming. It's a riches-to-rags-to-riches story in the extreme, with little common ground for us regular guys. I associated with Michael briefly on the way down, and briefly again on the way back up.
This is a good retelling, faithful to the spirit of Job and the conundrum he faces. It'll bring the biblical story alive for you, I guarantee it. And that, for me, was the problem. I don't like the book of Job, and I like it even less now. The idea of God playing games with human lives is distasteful. The idea of wealth as a measure of God's approval is equally distasteful. Didn't Jesus tell us not to lay up treasure on earth, but in heaven?
Which brings up a point. There is one major difference between the old Job and the new Job, and it's this: Today's Job knew his children were in heaven, and knew he would someday be up there with them, and that makes the second half of the story--the rise to riches--seem beside the point. We have since found more realistic ways to imagine a reward for a life faithfully lived. We don't have to pretend God will swoop in and provide a fairy tale ending on earth, which is a good thing, since real life doesn't happen that way. It just doesn't. We haven't thought that way since the age of the Maccabees, when the harshness of real life forced us to abandon the idea of justice on earth, and we instead became believers that we would be rewarded for faithfulness in the afterlife. For me, the story of Job is obsolete, a product of antiquated religion.
Nevertheless, while Michael/Job left a sour taste in my mouth, and while I can't rate the story highly for its inspirational value (no problem: I'm positive many other readers will), it deserves a high rating from me because it made me think. It made me talk about it. It took me out of my comfort zone and held me captive until the final page, and I'm still trying to break free.
Parts of the story must have been difficult for Bernheim to write. Michael's pain, when he loses his children, his wife, his wealth, his health, is just too vivid. Thankfully, I couldn't really relate, or the painful half of the story might have been overwhelming. It's a riches-to-rags-to-riches story in the extreme, with little common ground for us regular guys. I associated with Michael briefly on the way down, and briefly again on the way back up.
This is a good retelling, faithful to the spirit of Job and the conundrum he faces. It'll bring the biblical story alive for you, I guarantee it. And that, for me, was the problem. I don't like the book of Job, and I like it even less now. The idea of God playing games with human lives is distasteful. The idea of wealth as a measure of God's approval is equally distasteful. Didn't Jesus tell us not to lay up treasure on earth, but in heaven?
Which brings up a point. There is one major difference between the old Job and the new Job, and it's this: Today's Job knew his children were in heaven, and knew he would someday be up there with them, and that makes the second half of the story--the rise to riches--seem beside the point. We have since found more realistic ways to imagine a reward for a life faithfully lived. We don't have to pretend God will swoop in and provide a fairy tale ending on earth, which is a good thing, since real life doesn't happen that way. It just doesn't. We haven't thought that way since the age of the Maccabees, when the harshness of real life forced us to abandon the idea of justice on earth, and we instead became believers that we would be rewarded for faithfulness in the afterlife. For me, the story of Job is obsolete, a product of antiquated religion.
Nevertheless, while Michael/Job left a sour taste in my mouth, and while I can't rate the story highly for its inspirational value (no problem: I'm positive many other readers will), it deserves a high rating from me because it made me think. It made me talk about it. It took me out of my comfort zone and held me captive until the final page, and I'm still trying to break free.
May 16, 2010
The author transports you into the mind of Michael Whiley. Michael Whiley is a very successful man who has a turn of unlucky events happen that make him become homeless, wifeless, childless and broke, but not broken. Through Michael's test he develops a strong power in faith, belief in himself and the mysteries of the universe. This is a great book to read and the author, Mario Bernheim weaves a tale that will have you on the edge of your seat, crying one minute, and laughing the next, but always intrigued by his poetic imagery and powerful storytelling.
Michael Whiley through his own sheer will power and FAITH not only turns his life around, but comes out shining even more victoriously and abundantly than before his crisis. On top of that, he builds the good fortune in his life and is able to be an extraordinary generous philanthropist. Every negative in his life he turns into medicine. Michael is Christian, but this book could be for anyone of any faith.Which is one reason why I am writing this review.
Three fourths the way through the book,Michael turns his unseemingly miserable life around. When, he does this I see this as turning something negative into a positive. I interpret this in Buddhist terms, as doing Hindokko Yakku or turning poison into medicine.
This book is an absolute page turner. It's also inspiring, quotable and at times has you questioning your own sense of faith in yourself. It also helps you see your life in the bigger picture. And, helps you assess your long term goals, dreams and visions.
I am very happy I read it and would recommend it to my friends of all faiths, including Buddhist.
Michael Whiley through his own sheer will power and FAITH not only turns his life around, but comes out shining even more victoriously and abundantly than before his crisis. On top of that, he builds the good fortune in his life and is able to be an extraordinary generous philanthropist. Every negative in his life he turns into medicine. Michael is Christian, but this book could be for anyone of any faith.Which is one reason why I am writing this review.
Three fourths the way through the book,Michael turns his unseemingly miserable life around. When, he does this I see this as turning something negative into a positive. I interpret this in Buddhist terms, as doing Hindokko Yakku or turning poison into medicine.
This book is an absolute page turner. It's also inspiring, quotable and at times has you questioning your own sense of faith in yourself. It also helps you see your life in the bigger picture. And, helps you assess your long term goals, dreams and visions.
I am very happy I read it and would recommend it to my friends of all faiths, including Buddhist.
September 19, 2011
A great up-to-date version of the story of Job! It certainly brings home the way Job's story was meant. It made me stop to think a little more generously of the beggar on the street whether in St. Petersburg, Florida or Chicago, Illinois,Saginaw, Michigan or South Bend, Indiana. We all have a tendency to not see the wealth we each personally have...it's not always money. We see the beggar and the poor through the snide eyes of superiority. We can't see their side of the story!
There are surely cons out there who take advantage of us, but better we should give them a dollar or a coat than that we should miss the one who needs it so badly.
There are surely cons out there who take advantage of us, but better we should give them a dollar or a coat than that we should miss the one who needs it so badly.
May 15, 2012
A modern version of the Book of Job.... It is one of my favorites! Wonderful story! I LOVED IT!
December 2, 2012
I know the authors. Enjoyed reading a book before it went to print. Can't wait to see the movie.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews