Time To Man Up
Courageous begins with four law enforcement officers who know what it is to lay their life on the line every day for the safety of citizens. Yet are they willing to daily lay down their lives for their families?
Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes and their partners face drug thugs, gangsters, and threats on the job; at home they face disconnected teenagers, concerned spouses, and brokenness. They give their best on the official job, but then just get by with their life’s calling of fatherhood.
When tragedy strikes, Adam Mitchell is left in a tailspin that halts and brings into question everything he’s ever known. But it sets him on a journey to find out what God really wants of him as a father. The answers he uncovers overwhelms him, and he knows he can’t do it alone.
His partners in fighting crime become his partners in becoming the fathers God called them to be. Adding strength to their group is Javy, a construction worker who struggles to support his family financially. But he knows how to implement the spiritual upbringing he experienced from his own father.
In between drug busts, beatings, shootouts, and the battle with public opinion, these law enforcement officers learn what it means to man up as a godly dad.
I’ve been anticipating the next Sherwood Pictures story since I saw the movie trailer for Courageous. When I received a copy of the novelization by Randy Alcorn, I devoured it faster than any novel in a long time.
Just to be clear: the novel is based on the screenplay by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. The novel is now available, preceding the movie which opens in theaters on September 30th.
So, what do I think of the novel and storyline? In a word: YES! As in, hooray. I loved the premise and the delivery. This is something America needs. That families need. Churches need. So many issues in society today go back to the breakdown in the home. Not saying that breakdown is always a result of dads’ lack of involvement, but this attests to the fact that dads can begin to turn their families around.
I was leery during the opening chapter, wondering if they could really pull off a novelization, then I was floored. And hooked. So many twists and turns I was almost afraid to read the next chapter, but of course I had to. I just hope some favorite parts and characters aren’t left out of the movie. I know Randy Alcorn had to add extra scenes and characters to expand the screenplay to novel length, so I’ll accept whatever changes were made, and know I can read the book again.
As a writer, I couldn’t help noticing the POV (Point of View) shifts. You could tell it was based on a screenplay! But Randy Alcorn did them so seamlessly, you couldn’t help but be caught up in the action.
I have to recommend you read the novel. There are so many descriptions and characters you don’t get in a movie. And the closing line just left you with a sense of WOW.
At the same time, the book only whet my appetite and I can’t wait to be in a movie theater for the second time in my life. We plan to go with our church opening night.
For Him,
Sarah Elisabeth
I highly recommend aspiring and seasoned authors to read this interview with Randy Alcorn:
http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/randy-alcorn-courageous-movie-interview.htm
http://www.courageousthemovie.com
And for legal purposes: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers.