Pascal's Wager

by Nancy N. Rue

Confirmed atheist Jill McGavock faces the mental deterioration of her brilliant mother. In a quest to cope with this devastating situation, Jill seeks out philosophy professor Sam Hunt. Savvy Sam challenges Jill to make "Pascal's wager" -- to "bet" that God exists by acting as if he does. The results not only change Jill's mind but transform her life in ways she never could have imagined. An exciting, faith-building thriller!

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2001

About the author

Nancy Rue is the author of over 100 books for adults and teens, including the Christy Award-winning The Reluctant Prophet, Unexpected Dismounts and Healing Waters (with Steve Arterburn), which was the 2009 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She travels extensively—at times on the back of a Harley—speaking to and teaching groups of women of all ages. Nancy lives on a lake in Tennessee with her Harley-ridin’ husband, Jim, and their two yellow Labs (without whom writing would be difficult).

Reviews

[Amanda Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is faith only blind belief, or are there quantifiable reasons to accept it, to consider the possibility that God is real? Is there a spiritual element to human existence? Mathematician Jill McGavock confronts these questions when her mother, intellectually gifted but emotionally estranged from Jill, is diagnosed with dementia.

Her mother's thoughts degrade over the months, while Jill ever more desperately needs to know if a soul exists that survives the deterioration of brain and the body. As she analyzes her own beliefs, she compares them to the convictions of a Christian man she is becoming more and more attracted to, despite what she deems his "irrational" faith. Of course, it is a Christian novel, so Jill's must be a "conversion story," but it's written in a non-formulized manner. The journey, not the destination, makes this book work.

Anyone already familiar with Nancy Rue's writing knows her skill with imagery, characters, and dialogue, and this book (her first adult novel) is no exception. These characters (especially the sardonic heroine) drive a unique plot in which quiet reality becomes engaging.

[Lisa Rathbun]

Although there were no murders, crimes, or car chases in this book, I found myself caught up in Jill's life and her struggles with the existance of the soul. I felt for her as she realized that she was really unhappy deep inside and that she was more passionate about her work than about other people. However, after so much detail about her thoughts, I was disappointed that some of her deepest experiences once she began seeking faith were not shown. Instead we are told that she was reading the Bible, looking for a church, etc. but we do not see this happening. Maybe the author was just trying to draw her story to a close. I did find Rue's style very readable, thankfully, since I'm often disappointed by the blandness of a lot of Christian writing.

[Amanda Reslink · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I walked away from this had less to do with the religion aspect but with the coping with her mothers condition how it impacted her life coping with caring for her mother and the process and struggle of it all. I read this while dealing with a similar struggle with my fathers journey with Alzheimer's/ dementia dealing with it and caring for him. I found this book hit a deep person note in that regard and in a way helped me deal with my struggle and acceptance much as she had to.

[Kayla Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well done.

Just when I think I can't love Nancy Rue's writing any more... I read another of her books. Pascal's Wager was beautifully written. I love the story, the transformation, the relationships, and the wonderful description of one woman wrestling with and learning to love God. I would highly recommend to anyone.

[Shay Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like novels that inspire me to learn more and this did exactly that, inspire. I have my
copy of Pense'es on its way. Though I knew about Pascal's Wager prior to this book, it
was put into every day language and I could remember my own "licking the earth" moments.

Novels that inspire change - Awesome!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An atheist wrestles with accepting that there is a God. When her well-planned life throws her into confusion, a philosophy professor tells her about Pascal's Wager. There is a lot of serious subject matter but Rue balances that with lots of humor and sarcasm. A heart-wrenching story but so worth reading.

[Carrie Billig]

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[Gloriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pascal's Wager is an excellent story of redemption, of a woman coming to Christ through her mother's brain, once so nimble and clever, disintegrating. Through her struggle, she is brought slowly to Christ through the influence (mostly) of a man named Sam. Together with being a redemption story, it's also a great romance. Not for younger teens; this is definitely an older teen/adult novel due to mentions in the book of adult subjects.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I love the cover, with it's metallic sheen and grunge look, and the title "Pascal's Wager". As often happens, the outside promised a little more than it delivered.

The story is based on something said by seventeenth century mathematician Blaise Pascal: "Either God exists, or He does not. But which of the alternatives shall we choose? Reason cannot decide anything. Infinite chaos separates us. At the far end of this infinite distance a coin is being spun, which will come down heads or tails. How will you bet? Reason cannot determine how you will choose, nor can reason defend your position of choice. Let us weigh the consequences involved in calling heads that God exists. If you win, you win everything, but if you lose, you lose nothing. Don't hesitate, then, but take a bet that He exists."

The two main characters are a mathematician and a philosophy professor. The mathematician in trying to sort out her life now that she has to deal with her mother's illness on top of her research, class duties and office hours. The philosophy prof, who has taken the bet that God exists, would like to offer her some answers to the questions she's asking, but mostly ends up irritating her.

She is easily irritated, and quick to strike back. This may be the first novel I've read, written in the first person, in which I don't like the "I" at all. Sarcastic, cynical and cold, there's not much to like. Fortunately we begin to see her character develop early in the book and that makes the reader want to give her a chance, otherwise I might not have read the book at all.

The story contains some action, a bit of comedy and lots of academia, the latter always being an attraction for me. The characters are reasonably believable, the dialogue mostly realistic and it moves along at a good pace with the writing not getting in the way of the story. (Is it sad that I'm using the absence of flaws as a positive point?) As "Christian fiction" it impressed me with it's unusually down-to-earth "God talk". The lack of cliches gives me enough hope for this genre that I'd like to try another of the author's novels to see if it holds up.

I was looking for a quick and easy read, so I enjoyed this. I'd place it somewhere in the vast chasm between literature and fluff. I like literature, but sometimes want more escapism than it provides, and I don't like fluff but read it sometimes because I can't always find something in the middle ground. This one is middle ground, with a decent story line and a realistic look at some of life's bigger issues. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked several aspects of this book, including how a person who is very intellectual must overcome specific roadblocks to finding God. It helps you think about how to reach out to intellectual people who don't believe in God.

I also really liked another theme - how to think about people with severe dementia / diseases that affect their ability to think and reason. Are they still human? How should we feel about them? It makes you think a lot more about people like this and how we should respond to them, and be more compassionate.

The part of the book I didn't like is the romance. It would have been an awesome book with just the two themes already mentioned - how intellectuals must wrestle with things to find God, and how to react to people with severe dementia. I think the romance part of the book actually detracts significantly from the book. It would be a stronger book without the romance.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pascal's Wager
by Nancy Rue

I would actually give this story 3.5 stars if I could. I would like to give it a 4 but some parts of the story just do not ring true for me. Given the main character's position on God at the beginning of the story and how much she changed didn't seem like it could be real. I have never gone through the pain of seeing a parent loose themselves to dementia and been completely responsible for the care of that parent. That could really change a person's perspective.
In my family there are so many lively, friendly (mostly), serious discussions on faith and beliefs, ethics etc and I do not see anyone changing their perspective! Throw teachers, a philosophy professor, police officer and special needs worker together over a meal and the conversation gets animated.
I wonder what a none believer would think of this story?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A confirmed atheist and mathematician has her life under control. She's a graduate student writing a thesis and has a difficult time with her mother. But that well kept life starts to unravel when she attends a banquet honoring her mother. She comes to the realization something is wrong with her mother and also meets philosophy teacher, Sam, who tells her about Pascals Wager. Through the following weeks dealing with her mothers dementia and stress from school, she turns more and more to Sam and towards God. Good read and engaging characters.

[missdoctor.fmalchemist Ps130ES · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read. The ending was satisfying and I like both of the MC.
Honestly, you just have to like this type of genre. A little romance, a little mystery, dealing with guilt and loss. No conflict whatsoever, just discussion that, while incredibly thought provoking, can leave some people falling asleep. Not me. The storyline of an Athiest Mathematician vs. a Christian Philosopher was very good. And I like that neither one was typical. All in all, a good read that i would recommend to friends.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so enjoyed Healing Stones by Nancy Rue that I decided to look up her other books. This one wasn't as good. It was fair, though. It was told in the first person by a young woman who was an atheist. then she met a man who told her about Pascal's wager: If we bet there is a God, we cannot lose. But, if we bet God doesn't exist, we will lose in the end if we're wrong. So, it's a 50/50 chance. Therefore, it's more reasonable to believe.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and thought provoking. This story walks the balance of being unashamed Christian fiction without being preachy. It offers the realities of life without using platitudes, which is often my gripe with that genre. My biggest criticism is that the dialogue is sometimes too philosophical in nature to be believable. This is an area in which I believe Ms Rue has grown by reading some of her more recent books which have made my all time favorite lists.

[Christine Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was obviously written when people still believed in logic. Inside the budding love story between a Christian and an atheist there is much philosophical discussion of the natural vs. supernatural worldviews. Especially poignant to me was the development of the relationship between the daughter and her brilliant, doctor mom with dementia. Such a devastating disease, but as in everything, we can learn so much from dealing with hardship. Interesting book!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part romance, part apologetics, this novel may seem a bit preachy to some, but I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the writing. What has happened to oh-so-professional Dr. Liz McGavock? Is she drinking? Can her daughter Jill do anything about it?

[Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written with great characters. Based upon the premise posited by Blaise Pascal, a 17th Cen mathematician--what if you live as though God really exists? Heads you win; tails you lose nothing. But if God does exist and you live as though he doesn't, you lose everything.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I can only read it from my own perspective and as a bit of a math geek myself, I really related to the main character. The story just wrapped me into it and wove its way into my dreams. I do wonder if a non-believer would find it compelling, but that isn't me, so who knows?

[Mkoch · Rating 1 out of 5]

All the christians in the book are portrayed as selfless, loving, patient people while the atheists are hopeless, aimless, angry people (or carousing drunks) who can't possibly figure out their pathetic life without a god. This author doesn't know a single atheist.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A math quiz must confront her lack of faith when her mother is diagnosed with Pick's disease. Her mother is a scientist. This book deals with mother-daughter bond, faith, dementia. This really hit home for me.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read. About a woman who is struggling with the existence of God after her mom is diagnosed with a fatal brain cancer...

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

really made me think. Interesting characters.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

a. With her brilliant mom suffering from a serious illness, Jill meets a Christian teacher – a man who befriends her and challenges her beliefs.

[Valerie Teeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking read with well developed characters!

[M.K. Aneal]

Ok, great book until about the half of the book then its kinda weird.. But had great writing except for a few innuendoes, 3 stars

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it twice

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mooi boek dat ik in de Nederlandse taal gelezen heb. De titel is: 'Het Waagstuk. Pascals weddenschap'. Boek om over na te denken.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author and absolutely loved this book. It is a story I couldn't put down once I started. Is there really a God, does He exist? That's the question Jill McGavock faces as she works and sometimes struggles to finish her dissertation to obtain her PhD in Mathematics at Stanford. Mathematics is about proving new theories as we saw in the Beautiful Mind.

Take a journey with Jill as she comes to the foot of the Cross. What will really have an affect on you is that journey and the revelations that comes like a flower opening up to its fullest glory.

Buckle up!