Forgiving Ararat

by Gita Nazareth

Brek Cuttler, a young lawyer, new mother, and wife of a popular television news reporter, dies unexpectedly and, arriving in heaven, learns she has been chosen to join the elite lawyers who defend souls at the Final Judgment. Yet Brek longs for her lost life, and the cause of her death remains a mystery. Searching for answers, Brek attempts to re-create the world she once knew and visits her family in their dreams; but it is her first client in heaven, a young convict, who holds the secret-a shocking crime long repressed. Guided by her mentor, Luas, a lawyer who has been prosecuting souls for thousands of years, Brek embarks on a quest traversing heaven and earth to bring her killer to justice, uncovering an interlocking past that places her own soul in jeopardy. Entering the courtroom to face her killer at the Final Judgment, Brek must make a momentous choice that will alter her eternity.

POSTHUMOUS PRAISE FOR FORGIVING ARARAT: "This glorious, triumphant work leads its readers from the wrathful lands of the east...and back to the Garden of Eden." -John Steinbeck, author of Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. "With mythical prose at times approaching verse, Forgiving Ararat works a miracle, bridging the chasm between life and death." -Emily Dickinson, author of Poems. "At the center of Forgiving Ararat is the Trial each of us must one day face-and the profound metamorphosis each of us must undergo to win." -Franz Kafka, author of The Trial and The Metamorphosis. "This book is the next 'Lovely Bones '" -Anonymous Recently Departed Reader

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Ebooks, Suspense, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Death

420 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

are there things we need to forgive God for?

[Crystalbasile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved, loved loved this book. The originality of this book blew my mind. This book is right up my alley. I suggest everyone go out and read then gift it or recommend to a friend as I'm doing for you. Below is my brief review of the book. I hope it gets you interested.

My heart raced and I got jittery as soon as I read the summary on the jacket. This unique story would take me on a journey through two worlds in a drama that is captivating. Gita Nazareth paints a fascinating picture of the changeover from life to death by detailing the thoughts and feelings of the main character, Brek. I’m very impressed by the story’s transition between both worlds, giving us a clear picture of how life was and what is now the afterlife. The book is written with such vivid illustration, that as a reader, I felt the confusion and fear of the main character, Brek as she experiences life and death through the eyes of someone else.

Ms. Nazareth crafts a masterpiece as she weaves Brek’s “memories” in and out of the present storyline. Brek’s deepest secrets and great passions are exposed as the storyline develops. Heart wrenching imagery draws the reader into Brek’s past life and the soul she must defend. Forgiving Ararat surprises to the very end of the book, as each new twist and turn leaves you speechless and wanting more. It seems in life and death; we are all connected in some way.

[Wendio · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Exciting and Thought-Provoking Story of Life after Death

Jump on the roller coaster ride of Forgiving Ararat and immerse yourself in a thrilling story that is never predictable. As a young attorney, wife, and mother, Brek Cuttler’s journey from life to death is so graphic that you feel her fatal wounds and experience her bittersweet memories. While struggling to understand her eternal fate, she is tasked with representing individuals who appear to have few redeeming qualities at their Final Judgement. Then, she transforms into their souls to live the key moments of their lives and gains a unique, extraordinary perspective. Tangible images such as the four seasons occurring simultaneously in Nana’s backyard make the afterlife picturesque and sometimes grotesque as Ms. Nazareth vividly describes the dead arriving at Shemaya Station as they looked when taking their last breath. Forgiving Ararat is realistic fiction that makes you reexamine your conscience.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My church is starting a book club and this is our first book to read. I was really excited to read it, but as it turns out, it wasn't that interesting to me. The main character is a lawyer who dies unexpectedly. She finds herself representing souls in Final Judgment. As she does this, she sort of enters into their memories and re-lives portions of their lives. The stories kind of connect up at the end in an interesting way, but nonetheless, the narrative style sort of plodded along for me. The big theme of the book is about forgiveness vs. justice and I respect that, but I just didn't enjoy the book all that much.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually liked how this book started. The concept was interesting and the 'visual' effects the author evokes is worthy of the movie Inception. She started losing me at the end however. Going into why one of the characters, and not even a main character, mind you, believes the holocaust was a hoax was unnecessary to the plot and irritating to read. The ending for me made totally no sense and happened so fast after such a 'build up' of what Brek's purpose is, that it fell short of a satisfying conclusion. This book is no Lovely Bones.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished it. Now I am going to re-read it and ponder. Forgiveness...we all need to continually relearn it.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most imaginative books I've ever read! Almost anything I might say is too much of a spoiler. Deals with life, death, family and belief systems, and things in-between.

[Trikala Satya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gets really draggy towards the last 50 pages, but the whole perspective of after life is really interesting.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Alberto Tebaldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite an original story, with a happy ending.

[Elizabeth B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crazy read. Thought provoking.
Religious theme.

[Laura Monroe]

It is the rare person who does not stop and occasionally wonder what really happens to us when we die. First-time novelist Gita Nazareth’s Forgiving Ararat explores this very question. We meet Brek Cuttler immediately after her death, sitting in a deserted train station that we later learn is the heart of Nazareth’s imagined afterlife. The heaven Brek enters is filled with trials and lawyers as she moves to fulfill her “destiny” of being a lawyer for those who are coming before God for their final judgment. Ultimately, what we discover is that while for Brek in life, justice is the only salvation, in death, the consequences of that conviction become all too real. Exploring core human issues of judgment and forgiveness, conviction and faith, hatred and love, and our unending search for meaning in this life, Forgiving Ararat speaks to all who have ever sought to understand the complexities of the world we live in.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fast paced journey between the worlds of the living and the dead. Brek arrives at Shemaya station confused and very much in denial of her circumstances. She is guided through the events of her life leading up to the moment of her death. Her guardians allow her to re-experience these moments in small installments as the whole truth would be too much for her to bear and would render her incapable of achieving her ultimate goal.

An entirely unique premise. A bit hard to follow at times, but all the pieces of the puzzle do fit neatly together at the end and will have the reader question their own thoughts on the hope of life in the hereafter.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a hard one to review. When I read the book cover, I thought it might be a humorous story; lawyer who has died joins lawyers in the heavens. It's far from that. At times it is very deep and even disturbing; at times it is hard to follow. It covers Brek's family and people who are associated all the way back to the Holocaust. It shows how lives can be intertwined. It's about religion, the Holocaust, Noah and God. It's about love, forgiveness and justice.

[Kathy Nealand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had started this book last year and put it down. I found it a little difficult to follow. If you like The Shack, you will probably like this one. I picked it up again and am making my way through it with new enthusiasm. Some good messages in it about life, death, relationships and forgiveness.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awesome premise but my gosh. The narrator (or should I say author) drones on and on. The writing style annoyed me, the voice of the narrator was irritating and everything that came out of her mouth was not believable, regardless of the fact she is dead.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some members of our church are reading this book for Lent. Our discussion will occur on March 29. I found the book very interesting and look forward to the discussion of justice and forgiveness.

[Kristi Swartz]

I am only on chapter 3, but I really like it so far!

[Nancy]

lost interest, couldn't finish it...

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy n the justice angle, not a heaven that attracts me, provoked a good discussion at my book club

[Amy Sabatka]

very philosophical. sometimes it was difficult to follow. the author did a good job of pulling diverse ideas together.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although confusing at times - jumping between characters, past, present, life and death- this is still a great read. Fascinating story with thought-provoking context. Highly recommended!