What do readers think of Anatomy of a Miracle by Jonathan Miles? Write your own review.

The concept was interesting and the author successfully kept all of the pieces together throughout the story. The characters are well-developed. However, I really wasn't captivated by the story and it was a 'slow read' for me.

It took me quite a while to figure out whether or not this was a novel (the title includes an asterisk which leaves the reader wondering and "A Note on Methodology" which must have been tongue in cheek but made me question further) or non-fiction. Because of its style, I assumed it was non-fiction and therefore excused some of the early extended introduction of character's families that I still think were a bit unnecessary. The book dragged this way at times but the story was good. It's about a paralyzed Afghanistan veteran who after being in a wheel chair for years stands up and walks. The story begins with Cameron's first walk and is followed by very realistic responses from doctors, pastors, priests, reporters, family all with questions and ideas as to how this all took place. We dig into Cameron's life and little by little learn disturbing stories of what he has survived that placed him in the situation he faced prior to the accident in Afghanistan. I'm glad I read the book but I wouldn't describe it as the best I have reviewed through First Impressions.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The author kept my interest, albeit a bit too wordy at times. This book reintroduces interesting concepts of Medical Healing vs a God-Given Miracle, and leaves the reader able to argue for and against both. The only thing that kept me from rating it higher is the sparseness of dialogue. I personally prefer more dialogue to create a story.

Anatomy of a Miracle begins with a sly wink of an eye the reader is told that the story is true but also a novel.
This tale of a paralyzed veteran and his sister who experience a so called miracle when he regains the ability to walk. They are pummeled by our cynical modern society. The people who have witnessed the "miracle" are also pulled into the circus of the event.
The readers sympathy is drawn to these ordinary folks who were living their lives and are trying to cope with a world they only see on TV. There are some well-drawn characters who get lost in a fake event.
This leaves me as a reader frustrated and questioning what the author was trying to say with this book.
Miracles can happen and to explore the person who receives the "grace" and how he reacts would have been more interesting to me as a reader. To begin a book about a miracle with a lie?

When I received the book, it was clear that it was a novel and not a "true story." I thought that I was getting non fiction so that was a disappointment. Aside from that misdirection, the novel was a bit plodding for me. His journalistic writing style did not make the story "immediate" enough for me. The overall theme was interesting and would give book groups interesting material to discuss on perspectives and agendas. Not the best book I have read and not the worst.

[BookBrowse note: Although written in a journalistic style, the book is titled "Anatomy of a Miracle: A Novel," and the opening line of the book jacket copy states that it is a novel.]

I found this book tedious at best. The use of overlong narratives that repeat themselves made me scan over many passages (which I never do). It dragged on and on and I felt the characters were never fully developed - they just never came alive for me.

Anatomy of a Miracle starts with such an instant hook that I was hoping for a thrilling read. Instead I found the narration clumsy and repetitive. There were a few memorable characters, but too many side characters that took away from the plot and point of the story. Treatment of important themes seemed insensitive and outdated. This is not a novel I will be recommending to my fellow readers.