Review of “The Train Story” by Joyce Crawford

Score: 94/100 (9.4 out of 10)

Are you up for a positive, uplifting, and inspirational Christian story with a tinge of gritty realism?

The Train Story by Joyce Crawford is a story about faith, belief, and perseverance in the face of horrific situations.

The book follows Sam Burkett, a war veteran who returns home after serving in World War II. He is deeply scarred, both physically and emotionally, from his experiences on the battlefield. After losing part of his body to frostbite and injuries, including his left foot and several fingers, Sam struggles with the pain, trauma, and disfigurement that war has inflicted on him. He often reflects on the horrors he witnessed, including battles like the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, which haunt him in nightmares.

Sam’s character is marked by resilience. Despite his severe injuries and emotional turmoil, he tries to rebuild his life. He returns to his small hometown of Florence, Kentucky, where he lives in a humble porter’s cabin. Though deeply affected by his experiences, he still holds onto his faith in God, which plays a significant role in his healing. His relationship with God is strengthened by memories of his parents, who raised him with faith, persistence, and trust in the Lord.

Throughout the story, Sam struggles with feelings of loneliness, especially since his parents passed away while he was overseas. He feels disconnected from his former life, unsure if anyone will accept him in his disfigured state. However, with the help of local friends like Nathaniel, the porter, and other townsfolk, Sam begins to find his place again. The angels, particularly those representing hope and serenity, also subtly guide him, providing comfort in his most difficult moments.

Sam's character embodies the theme of redemption, as he learns to cope with his physical and emotional wounds while relying on his faith to guide him through life’s challenges. His journey is one of healing, hope, and the power of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.

Kayla is a deeply complex character in The Train by Joyce Crawford. As a 14-year-old girl, she suffers from severe emotional trauma, largely stemming from her tumultuous upbringing. Her father is in prison for domestic violence and the murder of her mother, an event that has left Kayla with profound psychological scars. She developed anorexia at the age of seven as a coping mechanism, believing that by starving herself, she could "disappear" and somehow stop the fighting between her parents.

Throughout the novel, Kayla struggles with her identity and feelings of worthlessness. She often describes herself as invisible, having identified with that sense of disappearance for so long that she loses touch with who she truly is. Under the care of Sam, Rachel, and the angels that symbolically guide her, Kayla begins a slow journey toward recovery. She is hesitant to accept kindness and love, as they are emotions she is unaccustomed to receiving.

Kayla’s struggle with her eating disorder is a central focus of her character arc. Over time, with the support of the people around her, she begins to open up, sharing her deepest feelings and learning to accept nourishment—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Her interactions with characters like Dr. Abbott, Rachel, and Sam provide moments of breakthrough, allowing her to heal and redefine her identity.

It should be briefly mentioned that Dr. Stephen Abbot might be the perfect doctor! He's so knowledgeable and so funny!

Anyway, Kayla's story is ultimately one of rediscovery and healing. Through love, faith, and persistence, she gradually transforms from a girl who wanted to disappear into someone who starts to see her own worth and place in the world.

The struggles of these two characters is truly compelling. The characters themselves, particularly Sam (in our opinion), really grab at your heartstrings.

Could you imagine being disfigured and losing your limbs in the service of your country?

What's particularly touching is the connection he forms with Sammy, a five-year-old boy with a similar-sounding name who is able to look past the veteran's disfigurement and see the good man behind it all, this is despite other kids at school mocking Sam as looking like a monster or an Elephant Man.

Sammy, it turns out, is the son of Rachel, another major character who goes through the ringer in this book. Rachel is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband, Randall, one of the book's major villains/antagonists. Rachel endures physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Randall, which makes her life incredibly difficult. She is portrayed as a resilient and loving mother who is determined to protect her children, even while facing her own suffering. It should be briefly mentioned that the book also features another major antagonist/villain in the form of Austin Pierce, who continues the abuse of Rachel even after Randall is gone.

Throughout the novel, Rachel finds solace and support in Sam Burkett, the war veteran protagonist. Sam and Rachel form a close bond, and Sam becomes a protector and father figure to her children, especially to Sammy (as mentioned before). Rachel's faith and strength are central to her character, and her journey reflects themes of survival, healing, and the search for safety and peace.

Rachel’s relationship with Sam represents hope and new beginnings, as they both seek to rebuild their lives after enduring traumatic experiences. Her role in the story also emphasizes the importance of community, faith, and the power of love in overcoming adversity.

What's extra special to us is that it really seems that Sam is able to empathize with these other characters (and vice-versa) because of the hurt, pain, hardships, suffering, and traumas they've all experienced.

Sam really does seem like the standout character of them all. There's just something very special about him. In this book, he's like the glue that binds the other characters and helps to draw them back to God (while being drawn to God himself). He's arguably in the worst situation of the major characters, yet also has the most optimistic and positive outlook, even when temptations like suicide and drug addictions loom large.

There are also several supernatural characters in this book including God himself and several angels like Peace, Serenity, Hope, Courage, Curiosity, and Faith. To be honest, readers' opinions will likely vary in response to the presence of these angelic characters. Why? Well, they often seem superfluous or unnecessary. They also somewhat ruin the gritty realism of the rest of the book. They are a bit silly and goofy, almost behaving like the gargoyles from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. They always seem to be tripping over themselves and debating/asking each other (and God) what they should do. They're almost like comic relief, and we're not sure if we liked that so much. They even fall asleep or are fooling around when bad/major things are happening. For example, they're in the garden goofing off when Randall starts abusing Rachel for the 100th time. What, did they just forget that Randall and Rachel have issues?

This is a interesting and well-meaning Christian book that's worth a read.

Check it out on Amazon!